VISITORS to the New Forest can climb aboard a historic yacht later this year after a successful initial viewing this past weekend.

Gipsy Moth IV has returned to her home at Buckler’s Hard for the season, 50 years after Sir Francis Chichester set sail on the Beaulieu River to become the first person to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe.

The vessel is moored at the bottom of the High Street, where Sir Francis originally kept her before setting sail on his voyage.

She will be open again to the public on February 18-19 and April 14-17 after visitors were invited on board on Friday and Saturday (DEC 30-31).

Artefacts from the voyage are on show in the attraction’s maritime museum, including a map, personal items from the adventure and records of the flooding and capsizing which put the journey at risk.

At an anniversary event in August, Sir Francis’s son Giles Chichester presented Lord Montagu with the Royal Yacht Squadron burgee flown for the circumnavigation.

Plans to celebrate the anniversary of the homecoming to Buckler’s Hard in September 2017 are already under way.

Eileen Skinner, who bought the vessel with business partner Rob Thompson and donated her to the Gipsy Moth Trust, said: “Gipsy Moth IV has been looking for a new home and we are thrilled to announce that she has moved to her original home of Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River.

“It is a beautiful spot and keeps her much more visible to the public.”