The local area
Towns and Villages
Lymington
The Georgian market town of Lymington is located on the south coast of Hampshire bordered by the beautiful New Forest National Park to the north and the wonderful Solent to the south.
Lymington High Street has many independent shops and designer boutiques, as well as a local market held each Saturday dating back to the 13th century. There are also a huge range of excellent restaurants, pubs and cafes to cater for everyone.
At the bottom of the High Street the cobbles lead to Lymington Quay. A hive of activity in summer months with fishermen off-loading their catches, visiting sailors and explorers enjoying ice cream and the view of Lymington River.
Down river from the Quay is the historic Berthon boatyard, the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, the Lymington Town Sailing Club and one of the largest open air sea water baths in the country. The path then passes the Lymington Yacht Haven with a great variety of yachts and powerboats and then on to the coastal path and the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve. A wonderful five kilometre walk along the sea wall to the village of Keyhaven.
Located just outside of the town is the Wightlink ferry terminal where you can travel to the Isle of Wight which is a firm favourite for visitors.
Historic Walks - Lymington
These walks give an introduction to historic Lymington so that you can appreciate the history and development of the town. You can pick up a paper copy of these walks at various points around town, showing this fantastic illustrated map by Alan Rowe.
All three walks start and finish at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in New Street, where there is a lovely café - the perfect pitstop after your tour!
As you can see on the map , the three walks are interlinked - we've attempted to make this clear below, whilst avoiding too much duplication. If in doubt, look at the fabulous map!
Walk 1 (red route) takes in the High Street, Quay and central Lymington
- Approx distance: 1.25 miles (2km) - approx 1 hour
- Walk: easy town paths
Walk 2 (blue route) continues with the Marinas and Sea Water Baths
- Approx Distance: 4.4 miles (7 km) - approx 2 hours
- Walk: Easy town paths, gravel track and country lanes
Walk 3 (green route) continues with part of the Solent Way and Normandy Marsh nature reserve
- Approx Distance: 4.4 miles (7 km) - approx 2 hours
- Walk: Easy town paths, gravel track and country lanes
Milford-on-Sea & Keyhaven
Milford-on-Sea is a vibrant seaside village with a great selection of independent shops and eateries.
The village green hosts a vast array of activities for locals and visitors throughout the year which include the Milford Music Festival and various art exhibitions.
There are great beaches as well lovely cliff top walks. Visitors can discover Hurst Castle which sits along the shingle spit, 1.5 miles from the village.
Keyhaven sits next to Milford-on-Sea, a quiet village with access to the nature reserve. You can catch a ferry to Hurst Castle or walk the coastal path to Lymington .
Brockenhurst
Brockenhurst is located in the heart of the New Forest National Park situated between Lyndhurst and Lymington, it’s a bustling village where you will find ponies and donkeys roaming free in an old world setting full of charm.
There are some great independent shops as well as plenty of places to eat.
The New Forest & Hampshire County Show is held in Brockenhurst every July. The show is an annual three day agricultural Show boasting a full range of equestrian classes, as well as livestock competitions including cattle and sheep, plus a poultry section, rabbits, cage birds, and honey bees. There are also many shopping opportunities.
If you enjoy the outdoors then there are plenty of walks and cycle routes to enjoy around Brockenhurst.
Beaulieu & Buckler's Hard
Beaulieu is a beautiful picture postcard village dating back to the 16th century. Donkeys and New Forest Ponies roam freely thorough the village.
From the centre of Beaulieu village there is a lovely walk to Buckler's Hard a former shipbuilding village preserved in time, with its riverside walks and charming Maritime Museum.
The Beaulieu National Motor Museum is a great family day out, with over 285 vehicles to see from Formula 1 cars and land speed record breakers. There is also the Palace and grounds and gardens to visit.
