On 5 November 1852 Beyer was naturalised in England. The following year (1853), despite being at the height of his chosen profession, vice-President of the IMechE and a friend of George Stephenson, Robert Stephenson, Sir Daniel Gooch, John Ramsbottom and others, he left the company. This move may have resulted after he was overlooked for a partnership (Mr C P Stewart was appointed a partner), or possibly because of his unrequited love for one of the Sharp nieces; nonetheless he spent six months touring Europe and contemplating study at Oxford or Cambridge.