Things to see and do
Local Area Guide
Lymington Historical Walks
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!
National Motor Museum - Beaulieu
Beaulieu, Hampshire, SO42 7ZN
Your packed day out begins with the National Motor Museum, the place to discover fun-filled exhibition Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of Your Childhood. More than 800 toy cars and pedal cars, ranging from the 1920s to the 1990s, are parked up in the display, just feet away from full-size motoring marvels. Visitors of all ages will be delighted to see these much-loved playthings of the past, bringing small-scale motoring memories to life.
In addition to cars, you can wander through the Victorian flower and vegetable gardens including the Alice in Wonderland topiary and the stunning Love Lock Tree sculpture. Explore the Mill Pond Walk featuring tree carvings, hidden fairy doors and views across the Beaulieu River Mill Pond.
Experience a moment of serenity in the Beaulieu Abbey Cloister or take a romp through the parkland and find a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic. Our adventure play area, Little Beaulieu is also open for children to have fun and let off some steam.
Buckler's Hard
Bucklers Hard, Beaulieu, SO42 7XB
On the now tranquil banks of the Beaulieu River, Buckler’s Hard was once a hive of shipbuilding activity, providing ships for Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar.
In the Maritime Museum you will discover the fascinating story of the village and the ships it built. Listen in on conversations between villagers of the past in the 18th century New Inn and follow the stories of the 19th and 20th century residents in an exhibition about.
Paulton's Park - Home of Peppa Pig World
Ower, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 6AL
Paultons is the UK’s number 1 family theme park — located in Hampshire with over 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park.
Paultons is also home of the UK's only Peppa Pig World with 9 fun Peppa-themed rides, great for an amazing day out with the kids.
Enjoy roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, indoor and outdoor play areas, water splash parks, entertainments and an astonishing collection of birds and animals at our amusement park.
EXBURY GARDENS & STEAM RAILWAY
Summer Lane, Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 1AZ
More than 100 years in the making, Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway is a spectacular collection of landscaped woodland, herbaceous, contemporary and formal gardens, in a unique riverside location.
Exbury also boasts a narrow-gauge steam railway that travels through the gardens, plus a play area, fantastic restaurant, plus much more
LONGDOWN ACTIVITY FARM
Longdown, Ashurst, Near Lyndhurst, SO40 7EH
Longdown Activity Farm is a fantastic day out for the whole family.
A daily schedule of activities includes kid goat and calf bottle-feeding, duck feeding, and meeting small and friendly farm animals in the Animal Encounter Experience. Plus, there are lots more animals to see such as cows, ponies, donkeys, alpacas, pigs, goats, chicks and ducks.
All daily activities are held in open spaces.
New Forest Wildlife Park
Deerleap Lane, Southampton SO40 4UH
The New Forest Wildlife Park (formerly The New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Conservation Park) is located on the edge of The New Forest close to the towns of Ashurst and Lyndhurst.
he park specialises in native and past-native wildlife of Britain and otters and owls from around the globe, housing four species of the former and ten of the latter.
The park is recognised as the UK's leading institution in the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild otters, along with the rehabilitation of other wildlife such as owls, deer and foxes in similar situations, and it is involved in several conservation projects, including breeding programmes for endangered native species such as Scottish wildcats, water voles and harvest mice.
Furzey Gardens
School Lane, Minstead, Near Lyndhurst, SO43 7GL
There are 10 acres of enchanting woodland gardens to explore at Furzey Gardens, with something for every age and every season.
Wander around the informal paths and discover a garden with a 16th century thatched cottage, thatched structures waiting to be explored, a lake and dozens of fairy doors.
The garden is well known for its riotous spring colour and stunning autumn leaves whilst our thatched tea rooms are free to enter and are the perfect place to meet with friends whatever the weather and enjoy views from the covered terrace.
ISLE OF WIGHT
The Isle of Wight is a great day out.
You can either catch the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth
Wightlink www.wightlink.co.uk
or you could go on smaller boat The Coral Star. Alternatively, enjoy a river cruise with Puffin Cruises.
The Coral Star www.coralstar.co.uk
Booking is essential Tel: 01983 760212
Coral Star runs a passenger service across the Solent. The trip takes about 40 minutes. They also run trips to view the Needles rocks and lighthouse. Lymington departure point is at the town Quay or, by request, the harbour master’s pontoon which is next to the sea water swimming pool in Lymington.
Puffin Cruises www.puffincruiseslymington.com
Tel : 07850 947618
A close encounter with sailboats cruisers & super yachts salt grass marshes & stunning views.
Running frequently throughout the day, this 30 minute cruise takes you down the historic, winding Lymington river past the marinas where you’ll see boats of many sizes from fishing boats, super yachts and lifeboats.
We head downstream, in complete comfort towards the mouth of Lymington River through the protected saltgrass marshes which are a haven for seabirds – gulls, terns, ducks, waders and divers – with stunning views all the way and commentary on points of interest.
Lymington Golf Centre & New Forest Adventure Golf
South Baddesley Road, Lymington, SO41 5SD
New Forest Adventure Golf is a new attraction for families of all ages. Based in Lymington, it is an exciting new concept in mini golf. Although built with children in mind, it will also challenge the short game competitor. The beautifully landscaped course is a high spec 18-hole adventure.
Expertly crafted to mirror the New Forest, the 18 holes lead us from The Isle of Wight across the Solent to Lymington by moving ferry. The two rivers flowing through the site are Lymington River and Beaulieu River with towns and villages authentically represented, including Bolton’s Bench in Lyndhurst, the ancient mariner port of Bucklers Hard and Exbury Gardens to name just a few.
The course is built on Goodall’s farmland and the family still produce soft fruit. The ‘Pick Your Own’ opens from May to August and entices customers to stay for a cream tea and the most delicious strawberries you will ever eat! A perfect way for the family to finish off a fun game of Adventure Golf.
There is also a 9 hole pay and play golf course at this location as well as a farm shop.
New Forest Bus Tour
Take an open-top safari with grandstand views of the scenery, animals and villages of the New Forest National Park.
Tours run daily, from May to September, with a choice of three routes: Red (the wild northwest), Green (the beautiful southeast) and the Blue (the coastal southwest).
With a bird’s-eye view from the top deck of the park’s landscape you’ll get the chance to spot some of the native animals of the New Forest such as deer, rare birds, pigs, donkeys and of course the famous ponies as well as wide, open heaths and ancient Forest.
Each route has its own unique audio commentary with characters and sounds which tell the stories of the people and places of the New Forest.
The flexible hop-on, hop-off ticket arrangement means you choose your itinerary. Stay on the entire route, switch onto another route, or stop off and spend some time at one of the attractions along the way and re-join a later Tour!
