We can help, a little, at least.

Ukraine: how people in Lymington and the New Forest can help - updated 19 May 2022

If you are organising fundraising events for Ukraine please feel free to add them to our Events Calendar, you'll need to register on the Lymington.com website to get a username and password then add details of your business or organisation, then can log in and add events.  For guidance on adding events please read How to Add Events to Lymington.com.

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Things have moved a long way since we first set this page up - and will continue to do so!

Since the initial invasion of Ukraine by President Putin's Russia on 24 February we have continued to compile this page from information we find mainly online in news articles and through our contacts, and are updating it as we receive more information.

If you can see information which needs updating and/or know of other ways in which local people can help which you'd like added to the list please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Forest Homes for Ukraine

New Forest Homes for Ukraine has been matching refugees to New Forest sponsors since the end of March

Have you registered with the Government’s Home for Ukraine Scheme? 

You will not be hearing any more from them because they expect you to find the refugees yourselves! 

Free matching service by NFHU

Matches can and have been made on-line, but NFHU has been set up as a CIC (Community Interest Company) to provide a free matching service. 

Once matched, hosts and guests can jointly apply for a visa through the Government Scheme.  NFHU provides “before and after” arrival advice and support and has collated information from a wide variety of sources, all easily accessible on its website New Forest Homes for Ukraine. 

Once the Ukrainian families arrive NFHU aims to support them and their hosts by

• collating varied information on its website to help them navigate applying for schooling, healthcare, schooling, benefits 
• providing activities such as free English classes 
• providing networking opportunities for both hosts and guests so that they can support each other 
• partnering with other organisations, community groups and local authorities to ensure to work to plug gaps rather than duplicate others efforts
• liaising with a network of organisations including Citizen’s Advice, Basics Foodbank, Baby Basics, and many local community groups and signposting relevant services

Could you host a refugee?

There is a shortage of hosts in the Forest at the moment; New Forest Homes for Ukraine has already matched 74 groups of guests with accommodation in the 6 weeks since beginning operating.

Many people who registered for the Government scheme are completely unaware that they need to identify the Ukrainian family that they will house themselves. This is quite a challenge for most people who have no contacts in Ukraine.

That is where the New Forest Homes for Ukraine free matching service comes in.

It is running public meetings in various local towns and villages over the coming weeks in a bid to encourage more people to register for its free matching service or maybe volunteer to be part of its support activities. 

Come to one of NFHU's public meetings to hear about hosting refugees and support activities

• Lymington Baptist Church 25 May      7pm
• Hythe and Dibden Community Centre  1  June      7pm
• Totton and Eling Community Centre ` 7  June      7.30pm
• Lyndhurst Community Centre  8  June       7pm
• Brockenhurst Village Hall 15 June      7pm

www.newforesthomesforukraine.co.uk  

Also: 

How to express an interest or register to host a refugee:  https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine

More information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions  (updated 13 April)

Hampshire County Council information section: https://www.hants.gov.uk/ukraine

• Guidance for Ukrainian guests: https://www.hants.gov.uk/ukraine/guests - Includes link to welcome packs in English, Ukrainian and Russian
• Guidance for sponsors: https://www.hants.gov.uk/ukraine/sponsors - Includes more information to guide sponsors including home checks 

 

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington is now a local hub for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts.

St Barge is joining forces with local translators, schools, counselling services and food banks to become a focal point for families fleeing the war. With New Forest District Council and voluntary groups and services, it is building a network of support to give Ukrainian families practical help as well as a warm welcome. 

Please contact the St Barbe hub at this special email address:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Donations

Direct donations to the British Red Cross

The Red Cross is working on the ground in Ukraine and bordering countries, supplying food, water, medicine, shelter and clothing to those refugees fleeing the fighting, and helping those remaining in Ukraine.  www.redcross.org.uk.

To make donations online to the British Red Cross:  https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal

Donations via local businesses and organisations

A number of trusted local businesses are collecting for either the Red Cross or the Salvation Army in their local outlets eg shops and restaurants, and you may find this a convenient way to donate. Look out for their signs and collection boxes!

Physical donations, lorries to Ukraine borders

New Forest for Ukraine 

Has been busy setting up collection points and distribution channels to get supplies to the Polish border and into Ukraine. It has had a huge response and already had a number of vans and lorries head out to Poland.

There are two collection/drop off points, one in Brockenhurst (Industrial Heaters - next to the Rainbow chip shop in Brookley Road) and the other in Lymington, at Coffeemongers on Ampress. These then go off to a hub in Southampton where lorries are going out via the Polish community to the Polish border.

Local businesses and people are all getting on board and helping. Coffee Mongers have been great providing warehouse space on Ampress for collections. They also need large cardboard boxes if you have any to recycle. Volunteers also required to help pack. 

Website:  https://www.newforestforukraine.co.uk/

LATEST UPDATE OF URGENT GOODS REQUIRED : 05.05.22

Crockery, Cutlery, Pots, Kettles - Bedside lamps (euro-plugs) - Washing powder / capsules - Towels - Instant Meals - Shampoo - Hand and Face Creams - Lip Balm - Body Wash - New Flannels or Sponges - Flip Flops - Soaps - Baby Wipes - Wheeled Suitcases/Bags - New Underwear for Women and Children - Disposable cups, plates and bowls - Tea, Coffee, - UHT milk, sugar

 

Previous information - please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..uk if you're involved in any of the below and would like  your information updated.

 

Lymington - update

Helen H wrote in to tell us about the house at 25 Avenue Road, Lymington which is taking all things for Ukraine
The house is opposite NFDC offices and you can park outside in marked off area
There is a Notice outside on pavement saying they are collecting

Hordle, Ashley, New Milton

As reported in the A&T, Jane Marriner, a volunteer with Lymington Cat and Kitten Rescue, is coordinating local collections of items such as food, clothing and nappies, to be taken to Southampton from where Polish delivery drivers transport them to the Poland/Ukraine border to hand out at refugee camps.

Jane had been using her home in Ashley as a base where people could drop off  and Everything Pets in Hordle was providing another drop off point. 

Things have ramped up somewhat, Hordle Church has been providing space for sorting, and there's a new Facebook page called Hordle Heroes. 

Contact Jane via https://www.facebook.com/HordleHeroes/

Jane has also set up a  wish list on Amazon.

Jane is also looking for drivers to volunteer to take the items to Southampton. Please contact her via the Facebook page above. 

Sway

From Sway Hearsay Facebook Group Rosie McMillan says: "A friend and I want to send items to the Polish border for the refugees coming from Ukraine, so we are asking for donations of nappies, wetwipes, clothes, non perishable food items, blankets, womens sanitary items, shampoos, body wash, hand wash, hand sanitizer, dog food, cat food, sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, scarfs, socks etc. anything that you can spare! We are doing a large collection in the Southampton area and my mum who is based in Sway is helping us, so please if you can spare anything, please can you drop it to her at 22 Stanford Rise, Sway (if she is not home, please leave items by her door). We have several lorries going over in the next few weeks and we want to be able to send as much as possible to help them. As you are all aware, the situation in Ukraine is critical and Poland has opened its borders to the refugees and they are going to need help and support in these horrible times."

Bournemouth

If you live or travel in the Bournemouth direction, the empty Argos store at Castlepoint has been turned into a well organised collection point for donations being run by a volunteer group Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine. People with donations can drop them off in the main Argos store - through the blue doors - on the top level of Castlepoint between 9am and 5pm daily. 

Other useful links

Other useful links include:

• Page on the Daily Echo website "How Southampton and Hampshire residents can help people in Ukraine"
• Similar page on Hampshire Chronicle website (not sure if this is being updated) 
• Hampshire County Council's Ukraine page  
• Ukraine help: What can people in the UK do? Dedicated page on the BBC News website 
• The Ukrainian Red Cross  
• Doctors Without Borders, whose base in Ukraine provides treatments for a range of regional diseases and medical problems 
• The Association of Ukrainians in the UK have a centralised fund raiser and collection for items, including a warehouse in Ukraine 
• Gov.UK website: visa support for Ukrainian nationals 
• Read about Ukraine: reading suggestions from Waterstones - and we can of course go into our very own Waterstones in Lymington to find out more.

If you are organising fundraising events yourself for Ukraine please feel free to add them to our Events Calendar, you'll need to register on the Lymington.com website to get a username and password then add details of your business or organisation, then can log in and add events.  For guidance on adding events please read How to Add Events to Lymington.com.

Beware of Fraudsters and Misinformation

There are fraudsters who will try and take advantage of a crisis situation in the form of scams. As always when donating money, please remain alert to possible scams and fraud. There is advice and support at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Also, sharing information is important but misinformation and disinformation can be damaging so please take a pause before you share anything. Full Fact are independent fact checkers. You can read their latest checks https://fullfact.org/, and raise anything you think is false https://fullfact.org/get-involved/suggest-a-fact-check/ You can also follow them on twitter https://twitter.com/FullFact and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FullFact.org/ And they have advice on how to spot fake information https://fullfact.org/blog/2022/feb/how-to-fact-check-ukraine-videos/

Wild seas

Photos by Steve Elson Photography of wild and beautiful seas off Milford on Sea

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, and living anywhere in the New Forest and particularly here on the coast we're so lucky to be so close to it in all its splendour! But on Friday 18 February as Storm Eunice approaches please do NOT visit the seaside today! And in case of serious problems please refer to this guidance from NFDC. These fabulous photos were taken by Steve Elson earlier in the week.

If you don't already receive it sign up for Weekly What's On 

Lymington.com and its online media channels are independently owned by Bartley Marketing Ltd. We produce a free weekly e-newsletter containing lots of useful information - if you don't already subscribe and would like to, please sign up here!

 

Shop Local – Save Shops – Support Lymington this Christmas!

Lymington Society's Shop Local Campaign for Christmas 2021

As Christmas 2021 approaches rapidly, the Lymington Society has announced the welcome news that with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council, it is again launching its “Shop Local” campaign. This year especially it's to remind people that, although the national economy has bounced back remarkably since the end of restrictions in July, local retailers have been really badly hit during the pandemic and need our help as much as ever.

Under the slogan “Shop Local – Save Shops – Support Lymington This Christmas” the Society would like everyone to think about keeping their shopping pounds in Lymington to support retailers and jobs locally and help boost the local economy

The pandemic had taken a terrible toll on retailing in Lymington. That includes major chains with a previous presence in the town which have been hit badly, with the result that despite encouraging signs or recovery, there remain many empty shops in the town.

With this in mind, the Society would like to remind local people to “think before you click” and support the community by trying to do as much of their Christmas shopping locally as possible and really boost the local economy with their much-needed Christmas shopping pounds

Speaking about this campaign, Lymington Society Deputy Chair Don Mackenzie said:

“Looking at the many empty shops in the town The Lymington Society is as aware as we all are about the terrible effect the coronavirus has had on the local economy and particularly retailing. Thankfully there are encouraging signs with several new shops and businesses opening in the town since the end of lockdown and we all hope that the worst is past.

However, if this encouraging trend is to become established, we all need to “let our legs do the walking” not our keyboards and to follow what is becoming a national movement to shop local and keep our pounds in the local economy to everyone’s benefit.

As I said last year, whilst shopping on the web has its place, there’s nothing to beat shopping in your own town where amazing, exciting, and different things can be found from local retailers. You can also get a coffee or a bite to eat and you’re bound to meet someone you know and have a quick catch up -  you can't do that online in the same way.

There is also the wonderful Lymington Market, with its friendly stallholders and exciting stalls with an amazing range of  local and artisan  items that you simply can't get on the web

If you’re not certain local shops have what you’re looking for, why not phone up and ask them to get it in for you to collect the next day. Local Click and Collect. So please “Think before you Click” and “Support Lymington this Christmas”

Banners are on display around town and 100 posters have been distributed to put in shop windows.

Pictured are left to right: Don MacKenzie, Lymington Society; James Hoare, Lymington & Pennington Town Mayor; Peter Leyland-Jones, Chairman, Lymington & District Chamber of Commerce

The Lymington Society 

The Lymington Society is a "Civic" Society: it exists to help protect the historic town of Lymington and the surrounding area for the future, and to provide a forum where residents can express their views. Join the society and help form the future! New Members are always welcome! For more information click here. 

See also "10 reasons to shop locally this Christmas"

Click here to remind yourself of the benefits of shopping locally at Christmas!

And if you don't already receive Lymington.com's useful Weekly What's On e-newsletter - do sign up here!

 

Small Business Saturday

Saturday 4 December 2021 across the whole of the UK

Free parking in Lymington and other NFDC car parks

After such a long and strange time it's good to know that Small Business Saturday will be back this year, and will take place across the country on Saturday 4 December.

For Lymington and the New Forest there will be free parking in New Forest District Council car parks.

Get ready to support our small businesses by saving lots of your Christmas Shopping to shop local on Small Business Saturday 2021!

The NFDC will be promoting Small Business Saturday to both residents and businesses, so businesses do let them know your plans for the day and they can help you promote it. You can also click here to download logos and other materials and advertising on the small business finder register. 

Lymington.com Special Advertising Offer for high street businesses - click here!

Small high street businesses please click here to get your discount code for a Premium Listing on Lymington.com.

We'll promote all who sign up, in our Weekly What's On newsletter. 

If you don't already receive our weekly newsletter - sign up here!

Looking to get out walking with the mobility scooter, wheelchair or double buggy?

Hampshire has the second highest number of accessible walks in the UK! Plus more information about accessible walk routes in the Lymington and New Forest area.

Since Covid appreciation of the great outdoors has blossomed, or perhaps we should now say mushroomed! That includes in wheelchairs or buggies or on mobility scooters: so for walks on wheels or miles without stiles we've started putting some information together here.

And, according to new research, Hampshire has the second highest number of accessible walks in the UK! (Beaten to second place by Somerset, apparently.)  

Accessible Countryside for Everyone has provided an online list of walks, country parks and nature reserves that are all accessible.

And a number of the walks in Hampshire are in the Lymington and New Forest area. Including beautiful places like Keyhaven, Hatchet Pond and Hordle Cliff. 

Disabled access, wheelchair walks, easy access, access for all, mobility, walks on wheels, miles without stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces. People need this information for so many reasons when planning to be in the great outdoors, from buggy wheeling to mobility scootering to short term necessity caused by injury or illness...

Click here to see the full list!

The list of walks is followed by other useful lists of accessible beaches, and sport and other information pertinent to reduced mobility and indeed disability, including our own very special Lymington Sailability!

See also other "accessible" information

Wheelchair accessible walks in the New Forest

Accessible walks - miles without stiles in the New Forest!

And click here to receive our Weekly What's On if you don't already!

Full of lots of useful information and tips as well as upcoming events, in Lymington and the New Forest.

 

 

Things to do for free in Lymington and the New Forest

Free (and almost free) activities for everybody

Without a doubt, the increased cost of living is making school holidays more expensive than ever for many families. Fortunately, the Lymington and New Forest area has a wealth of things to do (whatever the weather!), many of which are free or almost free. Read on for a selection of our favourites - and do This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you discover more!

1) Keep informed of What's On locally for FREE

Every Friday we email our FREE Weekly What's On detailing what's on in the New Forest and Lymington area, including many community events which are free of charge (or low charge). Sign up for our Weekly What's On below. Follow us on Facebook (@LymingtonHampshire), Twitter (@lymingtondotcom) and Instagram (@lymingtondotcom) for more great ideas and local information. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar too where you'll find oodles of free or nearly free events listed for the holidays. 

2) Try Lymington's skate park

It's free to use and by all accounts it's awesome! Grab your skateboard, scooter or stunt bike and off you go! Located by the Lymington Mariners rugby field at Woodside Park, the skate park was redesigned and rebuilt a few years ago and is popular for boarders and bikers alike!

3) Picnic with fairies

At Woodside Park, younger children will love the Woodside Fairy Trail around the gardens. Follow the enchanting trail to find where 'The Fey of Woodside' dwell. Download your own map here. Afterwards, throw down a rug on the lawn and enjoy a picnic or play in and around the huge rhododendron bushes. For total fairy addicts, across the New Forest in Minstead visit Furzey Gardens, a worthy social enterprise, to take a walk hunting for the Fairy Doors. An absolutely magical outing! (Top Tip: Book tickets online in advance which is slightly cheaper)

4) Head to the beach

Did you know that the New Forest has over 40 miles of coastline? Or that the water at all our local beaches has been rated Excellent by the Environment Agency? The nearest beach to Lymington is Milford-on-Sea, a shingle beach with good views of the Isle of Wight and the Needles. There are three car parks: Hurst Road East is next to the Needles Eye Cafe and a children's playground. There is an excellent walk along Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle. A little further along the B3058 (Cliff Road) and you will reach Paddy's Gap car park, with a cliff-top path and steps down to the beach and then on to Hordle Cliff car park, with an ice cream kiosk and public WC. Between Paddy's Gap and Hordle Cliff, the beach is lined with colourful private beach huts. Swimming and bodyboarding are possible, although there is no lifeguard service, so do be vigilant as currents can be strong. Find our guide to local beaches here.

5) Workout your body... and mind

 At Woodside Park, you'll find an Outdoor Gym and two Table Tennis Tables (bring your own paddles and balls), alongside the Tennis Courts (bring your own racquets and balls), free for all to use. There's also a running track in the field adjacent to the park. Alternatively, take your own chess pieces or draughts pieces to Bath Road park and play a game on the new chess table. Work out your mind in beautiful surroundings next to the Lymington River! 

6) Learn more about Lymington

Learn tales about Lymington's history in our historic walks around town. Find details of the walks here. The walks and map are detailed in a handy guide, usually available at information points around town. The walks give an insight into Lymington so that both tourists and residents can appreciate the history and development of the town. Approximate duration of each walk: red route 1 hour, blue route 1.5 hours, green route 2 hours.

7) Borrow books and more from your local New Forest Library

Visit your local library to borrow books and DVDs. Plus every summer we recommend for primary-school-aged children the Summer Reading Challenge - it's a great way to get even the most reluctant readers reading! Check your local library for opening hours, and keep an eye on our Events Calendar for all the latest activity sessions.

Top tip! Local independent bookshop, The Imaginarium, also sells preloved books and from time to time will have 'giveaway' preloved books too - definitely worth a visit to Angel Courtyard for a browse. Plus check our Events Calendar for free events with authors.

8) Have a go at crabbing

Crabbing is a great activity to while away the hours! All you need is a crabbing line, some bait (raw bacon works well), a bucket, and perhaps a net, and off you go! Popular local crabbing locations include Lymington Town Quay, Keyhaven, and the bridge at Hurst Spit. (Top tip: head to Yachtmail opposite the Town Quay in Lymington for crabbing supplies!)

9) Discover the Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve!

Once an industrious area for harvesting salt, the nature reserve covers nearly 200 Ha (500 acres) between the mouth of the Lymington river and the village of Keyhaven and offers great walks along the Solent Way (often referred to as the sea wall). There are great views of the marshes and their wildlife from the Solent Way which runs the length of the reserve. There are also several attractive circular walks on local footpaths which cross the area. The reserve is open every day of the year for quiet informal recreation on designated paths and tracks. An information guide is available at the St Barbe Information Point. Find out more about the Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve here. 

10) Low cost / free activities at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery has a range of craft events throughout the school holidays, many of which are included in the (low cost compared to many other places!) entry fee. Check out the craft events and activities in our Events Calendar.

FREE! Children who receive benefit-related free school meals, have special educational needs and disabilities or are considered vulnerable can benefit from Healthy Food and Holiday Activities (HAF) at St Barbe. Over the Easter holidays, the activities will run for four days 11-14 April from 11.30am - 3.30pm. Two days are specifically for families (5+ an adult is required to accompany them, younger siblings welcome) and two days for 11-16-year-olds (no adult required), each day there will be craft activities, a hot meal, snacks and lots of FUN!  Click here to find out more and to check eligibility.

11) Take part in a park run

Lymington Woodside parkrun takes place at Woodside Gardens in Lymington (starting by the Sports Pavillion) and in Brockenhurst the parkrun starts at Brockenhurst College. Both are part of the national parkrun and are free, community events where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning at 9am. Find the latest details in our Events Calendar.

12) Take a stroll in the New Forest and spot New Forest animals

Whether it’s the Ancient and Ornamental woodlands, with their magnificent oaks and beeches; the scattered birch and pine across the Open forest with clear views of plantations, mires and valleys beyond; or the more uniform plantation woodlands, there will be a walk for you to enjoy.

There are free car parks all over the forest with walking opportunities galore - click on the picture above for a larger map. If you are looking for a set route to walk there are a number of way-marked walks - these walks are also suitable for those who are less able and for pushchairs and buggies as they are on gravel tracks. Map reading is not required, just follow the wooden posts with the coloured markers. And of course, along the way, there are plenty of beautiful places to enjoy a picnic...

The New Forest is home to ponies, donkeys, cattle and in the autumn, pigs too! Take a walk and be sure to admire animals from afar, don't be tempted to touch or feed them. Remember the New Forest code:

13) Explore the New Forest by bike

From the wobbly beginner to the experienced off-roader, the New Forest has plenty of space for everyone who wants to ride. Cycling in the New Forest is ideal for families wanting safe off-road and gentle cycle routes. New Forest cycling is available all year round and is the perfect way to take in the different seasons from spring with the bluebells and baby animals, summer with the new foals, autumn with the beautiful golden leaves and winter with crisp frosty mornings ideal for cycling on our gravel tracks. Download a FREE map of cycle routes in the New Forest.

Top tip: Hire bicycles at Cyclexperience by the station in Brockenhurst.

14) Visit Bucklers Hard

Buckler's Hard village is free to enter: the grounds of Buckler's Hard village, Shipwright's Cottage, St Mary's Chapel, the Captain's Table and Master Builder's House Hotel are free for everyone to visit. For those arriving by vehicle, a parking charge applies to help maintain the heritage site. To enhance your visit and learn more about the special heritage of Buckler's Hard, you have the option to pay a small admission charge to explore the Museum or enjoy the River Cruise. Museum tickets can now only be purchased from the Buckler's Hard Museum, whilst River Cruise tickets can only be purchased when boarding the boat.

Top Tip: over the Easter weekend (6-10 April 2023) children visit the Buckler's Hard Museum free - find out more here!

15) Learn more about the New Forest National Park

Visit the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst, which offers free entry and always has an interesting exhibition. Open 7 days a week with events for children and families on some days - check our events calendar for details. 

16) Find the Oldest Oak Tree in the New Forest!

Visit Knightwood Oak, the largest oak in the New Forest, at 7.4m girth, and surely one of the oldest. It is still going strong today and is a spectacular example of the ancient art of 'pollarding', the traditional way of harvesting wood without killing the tree. A shady spot to bring a picnic, "get away from it all" and try to imagine what it would have been like over 400 years ago when this tree began to grow. Download a podcast.

17) Visit Rufus Stone

The Rufus Stone Car park is situated within an ancient wood pasture on the eastern edge of the Forest. A short stroll takes you to the famous memorial to King William II. Many stories abound but it is said that an arrow shot at a stag by one Walter Tyrrell glanced off a tree and killed the King. Download a podcast to learn more...

18) Walk on the wild side and discover reptiles!

The New Forest Reptile Centre, near Lyndhurst, helps protect rare snakes and lizards and encourages the re-introduction of these animals across the country. There are special outdoor ‘pods’ at the centre which provide a natural home to the sand lizard, smooth snake and adder. These reptiles can be difficult to see in the wild as they are rare and very secretive, so the Reptile Centre is a great place to see them close up. Entry is free although a donation of £3 is welcomed. Closed during the winter months. Open from 10.30am – 3.30pm from 1st April 2023.

19) Go deer spotting 

Spotting deer in the New Forest isn't always easy, but at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary there is a purpose-built viewing platform overlooking a large meadow area where a herd of fallow deer regularly gather. Deer viewing at Bolderwood isn't guaranteed but the herd are fed daily by the local New Forest keeper, between the months of April and September, so the deer are more than happy to remain in the main meadow and are very accustomed to human presence. Feeding time can be between noon and 3pm. Several of the animals are white, which is quite an uncommon colour for fallow deer to be. The platform provides an excellent photo opportunity although a zoom or telephoto lens is a very good idea if you want close-up shots. Download the Guide to Deer at Bolderwood podcast.

Top Tip: During school holidays there are often free or low-cost trails and activities for children at Bolderwood car park, opposite the Deer Sanctuary. 

 

And finally, the Country Traveller's helpful and growing series of videos about the local area now includes Five Free Things to See and Do in the New Forest.

 Updated March 2023

 

 

Things to do in the New Forest area over the summer holidays

Comprehensive guide for children and families in Lymington, the New Forest and surrounding areas.

School's out for summer! 

Whether you're local to the New Forest or visiting on holiday, you'll find loads to keep you busy this summer.

Our summer holiday guide for families and children is stuffed full of fab things to do in the Lymington, New Milton and New Forest area over the school summer holidays. Take a look also at our fun days out feature if you're looking to venture slightly further afield. And for those having to juggle work with school holidays, we have information about holiday childcare, which also includes details of activities days for children.

See what's on day by day in our New Forest Events Calendar. Remember, if you're organising a local event then you can add your event to the Lymington.com calendar for free and contact us to find out about Lymington.com membership which includes local advertising and promotion (including being in this article!)

Find inspiration also in our Things to Do section, which includes Places to Visit, Walks and Leisure Activities.

And if you've not already subscribed to receive our FREE Weekly What's On newsletter, emailed every Friday morning and full of the latest New Forest events, news and information, subscribe here:

You can also follow Lymington.com on Facebook (Lymington Hampshire), Twitter (@lymingtondotcom) and Instagram (@lymingtondotcom).

Remember to mention Lymington.com when you're out and about this summer!

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Get out on the water in Lymington and the New Forest...

 

Swimming and inflatable fun

Lymington Sea Water Baths are open throughout the school holidays from 9.30am to 6pm each day. Book online in advance for 90-minute sessions on the 200m of inflatable obstacle courses, paddleboards or for swims. You'll find great fun whatever the weather - once you're wetsuited up and in the water the rain doesn't matter! Wetsuits are available for hire. Lifeguards on duty. Snacks and drinks are available at the kiosk. Book here.

Ballard School Summer Camps include swimming. There are also private swimming lessons available.

Head to the beach 

The sea is lovely and warm! Find our guide to local beaches here, including details of parking, where dogs are allowed and which beaches have a lifeguard patrol - plus the all-essential nearby cafés and other conveniences.

Learn to sail

Lymington really is the place to learn to sail! Find out here about learning to sail in Lymington. This summer Royal Lymington Yacht Club welcomes non-members and members on their RYA Learn to Sail training courses on various dates during the school holidays.

Kayaking and canoeing

New Forest Activities in Beaulieu offer kayaking and family canoeing along the beautiful Beaulieu River. There are also Ladies Only Paddles on dates throughout the summer (check our events calendar for dates). For families with children aged 12+ try the Beaulieu Canoe Explorer, which covers a good distance on this extended trip through the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve.

Paddleboarding

Hire paddleboards at the New Forest Paddle Sport Company, based in Milford on Sea. Meanwhile, local experts Chad and Jamie at New Forest Surf have a great online shop.

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Summer holiday sports and camps for kids in the New Forest area...

 

Multi Sports

Ballard School Summer Camps are running each week during the summer holidays and include a range of sports, Mad Science, Horrible Mysteries, drama, music, art, stay and play, gymnastics, swimming, junior DofE, Forest Rangers and BikeAbility. These fun summer camps are running daily throughout the school holidays and are open to all children, not just those who attend Ballard School. Get the lowdown here.

Hockey

New Forest Hockey Club is running hockey camps for 8-15 year olds on 9th, 10th and 11th August on the astro pitch at Lymington Health and Leisure. Each day 8.30am to 3.30pm. A great way to have fun, make new friends and improve your hockey skills with NFHC's brilliant coaches. Find out more and how to book a place here.

Cricket

Lymington Cricket Club is holding cricket camps for 9-13 year olds on 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th July and 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th August at Lymington Sports Ground. Players of all abilities are welcome - whether you’re hoping to make the district or Hampshire team, or a first-time player. A fun and friendly environment with dynamic coaching. Book for individuals days or a whole week: find more information and how to book here.

Football

New Forest Football Academy is once again providing day camps throughout the summer holidays. Find more information and contact details here.

For more sports holiday camps and clubs, see our Holiday Childcare article... 

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Family sporting fun in Lymington and the New Forest...

 

Golf

New Forest Adventure Golf is open throughout the holidays from 10am to 5pm. Built with children in mind, it's also fun and challenging for adults. The beautifully landscaped adventure golf course is a high spec 18 hole discovery adventure of the New Forest, including Isle of Wight ferry, Lymington and Beaulieu Rivers and New Forest towns and villages. 

Lymington Golf Centre is open every day for 'pay and play' out on the fabulous 9 hole course - or practice your swing at the driving range (purchase a token at the clubhouse to get a bucket of balls at the driving range). If you're new to golf or would like to improve your technique, we recommend lessons with the brilliant (and very patient!) resident PGA golf pro, Matt Vineer. Matt is an inspiring teacher for children and adults alike - you'll learn loads! Contact the club for more information.

Cycling 

Pack up a picnic and head out on a family cycle! If you'd rather cycle away from the main roads, the New Forest has numerous tracks and trails. Find a useful map of cycle routes here. Hire bikes at Cyclexperience in Brockenhurst (conveniently located near to the station) or at New Forest Bike Hire in Lymington (Quay Street).

Tennis 

Anyone for tennis? Lymington Tennis Club still has their 30 days for £1 offer for locals - brilliant for older children who want to rediscover their tennis skills over the summer break! More information here.

Race around the world for Oakhaven!

This summer, help Oakhaven Hospice race around the world: the distance around the world is 24,901 miles - collectively, as a community, can we complete the trip? Sign up now to take on the challenge by pledging your own mileage goal and how you’ll complete it. For example, you could simply pledge to walk 2 miles a day during the 80 days: 160 miles. The choice is yours! Let’s walk, cycle, run, row, sail, swim (or indeed any other mode of travel that takes your fancy) our way around the world and all those miles will provide a world of care at Oakhaven Hospice. Find out more and sign up here.

If the weather is kind, make use of our local facilities, including tennis courts, table tennis tables and outdoor gym at Woodside Park, plus the chess/draughts table at Bath Road Park. 

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Summer culture for kids in the Lymington and New Forest area...

 

Visit St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery to learn more about Lymington and surrounding areas. Find out more about the New Forest coast, an area with a rich maritime heritage where smugglers made a profit on the shores, and where boat-builders and salt-makers developed their trades.

Discover your inner artist!

At St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington the team has organised a range of fun art and craft workshops for the summer holidays. Come along to Magical moths (27th July), Animal sketchbook workshop (3rd August), Botanical illustration (10th August), Plastercine patterns (17th August), Fish hats workshop (24th August) and Drawing in the dark (31st August) 

Learn Pyrography - draw and write with fire with wood turner Graham Turner at Keyhaven Scout Hut on 14th August.

Chill out with a book!

Join the Summer Reading Challenge "Wild World Heroes" at your local library! It's free to join your local library and the summer challenge is a great way to inspire and encourage young readers! From 3 July to 18 September - and completely free of charge! Lymington Library is currently open 9.30am - 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 9.30am to 1pm on Wednesdays.

Dance and drama

The fabulous team at New Forest Academy of Dance is running a summer school from Monday 26th to Thursday 29th July at Lymington Community Centre. Explore dancing, theatre, singing, drama and more through a week of fun and engaging classes with industry professionals.

Meanwhile near Ringwood, Forest Forge Theatre Company has a holiday theatre workshop from 2nd - 6th August. An exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of theatre and performance for a whole week.

Films for kids at Lymington's cinema

Lymington's Malt Cinema will be showing:

• Felix and the Hidden Treasure (U) on Sat 24th, Tues 27th, Wed 28th and Thurs 29th July at 11am and Mon 26th July at 2:30pm.
• The Croods: the New Age (U) on Fri 30th July at 2:30pm & Sat 31st July at 11am & Mon 2nd Aug at 2:30pm, plus Tues 3rd, Wed 4th & Thurs 5th Aug at 11am.

Summer theatre

The New Forest Players are performing 'Curtain Up' at Ballard School from Wednesday 28th to Saturday 31st July. A comedy about five women who inherit equal shares in a dilapidated theatre and plan to bring it back to life again. 

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Learn more about the great outdoors in the New Forest...

 

Join New Forest Activities for a Family Woodland Adventure Day! Light a fire and build a woodland shelter before testing your aim with a bow. Explore woodland Low Ropes Challenges before taking to the trees for your High Ropes Adventure. Various dates throughout the summer holidays including 1st, 15th and 29th August.

Become a Little Ranger at New Park Farm near Brockenhurst! Regular 2 hour courses for 3-12 year olds and parents throughout the holidays, looking at wildlife, nature, conservation, New Forest myths, legends and folklore and much more. Find out more about Little New Park Rangers here.

Take a walk on the wild side with Wild New Forest! Fascinating guided walks in the New Forest with Russell and Marcus, who have over 50 years experience in wildlife survey, monitoring and photography in the New Forest National Park. Try the Bolderwood Kids Wildlife Adventure on 24th July and walk out for more guided walks in our Events Calendar!

Throughout the holidays, hop on a New Forest Tour bus to visit new places around the Forest - there are 3 routes and plenty of buses every day. (Editor's tip, combine a visit to New Forest Adventure Golf and Goodalls PYO Strawberries with a bus tour around the New Forest!)

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Family fun days out in the New Forest... 

 

Head to Beaulieu for a fun-filled family day out this summer, where there really is something for everyone. Beaulieu makes a great day out for locals and visitors to the New Forest area, come rain or shine. One inclusive ticket provides access to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House and beautiful gardens, Little Beaulieu - a fantastic new children's adventure play area, Beaulieu Abbey, the Secret Army Exhibition (perfect for kids studying WW2) and unlimited rides on the monorail.

Plus until 30 August, see Sculpture at Beaulieu - the works of 50 renowned sculptors, including Dawn Rowland, Frederic Chevarin, Helen Sinclair, Neil Wilkin, Paul Vanstone, Shaun Gagg and Lymington's very own Michael Turner.

Keep an eye on our Events Calendar for special events at Beaulieu, including evening tickets to view Sculpture at Beaulieu and the popular 'Simply' events. On Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th August it's the popular Supercar Weekend, a must-see family spectacular that brings some of the world’s most exclusive and desirable motors to Beaulieu. See displays of prestigious supercars and hear their distinctive engine notes as they unleash their horsepower on the demonstration run. Book your tickets now!

Just down the road from Beaulieu is Bucklers Hard. Discover the Maritime Museum and Bucklers Hard story, brought to life by living history characters.

Pick your own strawberries at Goodall's Farm (plus raspberries, cherries...and more!) - they really are the tastiest strawberries in the world. Afterwards, explore the new farm shop full of local produce. A great activity combined with New Forest Adventure Golf right next door.

Over at Bickton Manor Farm (near Fordingbridge), the Maize Maze opens on 7th August, along with pick your own maze and sunflowers, art and craft activities, a Peter Pan theme and lots of family fun! This year raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Find out more here.

In East Boldre, the legendary Beer Festival at The Turfcutters Arms will be taking place from Friday 30th July to Sunday 1st August. The Turfs has a fabulous children's play area and based so close to the Forest makes a super place to combine a good walk with food, drink and fun!

One for the diary: on Saturday 11th September it is the Family Fun Day at Oakhaven Hospice. A wonderful traditional family fête with games, stalls and delicious refreshments, all raising funds for our fabulous New Forest, Waterside and Totton hospice. 

Take a look at our Fun Days Out article for more ideas on places to visit locally...

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Other great things to do in Lymington...

 

Lymington Charter Market is every Saturday 8am to 4pm on Lymington High Street - come and explore the wealth of different stalls! Find out more about Lymington's famous market...

You could also explore the bargains at the New Forest Car Boot Sale on Sundays (unless pouring with rain). A great way to find some different pre-loved toys and games!

Discover Lymington's playgrounds! Find out more about where to play from some intrepid experts...

 

Remember to keep an eye on the Events Calendar as new events are added daily! And subscribe (above) to receive our free 'Weekly What's On' newsletter by email every Friday and we'll keep you up to speed with what's happening locally.

Remember to mention Lymington.com when you're out and about this holiday!

Round-Up for the Grown-Ups! 

Summery things to do near Lymington and the New Forest, for adults including kids at heart

Fancy doing a few different things this staycationing summer? This week it’s the turn of the adults, as we round up our favourite places to visit and things to do near Lymington in the New Forest this summer.

Most of the emphasis at this time of year is on activities for the children whilst parents continue to work, and of course also on staycationing and visiting families looking for things to do together. So this time we're focusing on the rest of us! The adults who don't have families or whose children have grown and now even if they haven't fled the nest prefer to make their own entertainment. And the silver surfers who'd normally be in Portugal right now. In fact just about anybody who's past school age and has a yen to make memories and a mark in the proverbial sand this strange summer.

This selection has been curated from a list of our own favourites plus those of a significant number of other New Forest business folk we asked - who all seemed to wish for similar treats and experiences for any "holiday days" they would be able to take! 

(Please bear with us, we're still adding suggestions and links but need now to publish to send our this week's newsletter!)

Find out what's on in the Lymington and New Forest area!

At any time you can see what's on day by day in our New Forest Events Calendar. Find inspiration also in our Things to Do section, which includes Places to Visit, Walks and Leisure Activities. And if you've not already subscribed to receive our FREE Weekly What's On newsletter, emailed every Friday morning and full of the latest New Forest events, news and information, subscribe here:

From boat trip to culture fix, garden visit to long leisurely lunch and much more: our favourite grown-up things to do on summer holiday days in the New Forest

All aboard - get afloat!

Set sail without responsibility, for lunch or dinner somewhere special on the Solent

We've talked lots over the years about these fabulous "escapes" with Escape Yachting - and tasted them in real life too (see review article here). The key thing to know is that in our experience, as soon as you step aboard the magic takes over. You'll be invited to take the helm for a while if you're so inclined but we recommend deferring to those who are and finding a comfortable spot where you can luxuriate in the feel of being afloat in capable hands, where it's woderful how all to-do lists and other responsibilities literally float away!

Lunch and dinner Solent cruises with Escape Yachting 

Feast your eyes, on a cruise to the Needles and back

Meanwhile there's another new and easy way to enjoy the fun and freedom of being afloat with all the pleasure and none of the stress, with a Needles Cruise with Coral Star. (Ask me sometimes why I laugh out loud at a word association between Needles and Pins.) Don't forget your camera, and in the new living-with-Covid age in which we're all sooo much more aware of our natural surroundings, dare we suggest the binoculars too! Coral Star is licensed and the service is excellent so you can punctuate your voyage with the odd tipple as well.

Needles Cruise with Coral Star

Go back in time, with a day of simple pleasures on the Isle of Wight

For one of our favourite New Forest days out, of all times and even faced with the choice of any place: don your walking boots or trainers, pack your backpack with picnic and swimming things, and with or without your bike jump on the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth Isle of Wight. Follow that scenic route along the Yar valley to Freshwater, head up onto Tennyson Down and thence all the way along that oh so springy turf admiring spectactular views on both sides, to the Needles. Make your way back via Totland and Colwell, perhaps stopping for a dip, maybe a drink if you're lucky at the Hut, or just head on into Yarmouth for a drink or an ice cream and enjoy the picturesque harbour scenes whilst waiting in the easiest and friendliest queue ever, for the ferry back to Lymington.

We always start to get in the mood and finish too from high on the ferry deck, first enjoying the spectacle of all the boats in the river and then across the Solent gazing around in all directions at arguably as fabulous a 360 degrees view as you'll find anywhere!

The delights of the Isle of Wight, courtesy of Wightlink video

Go kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding... 

We were reminded of the pleasures of kayaking on a recent adults-only mini-break in South Devon; it's just as good here in the New Forest - it's just the time we need!

Hire a double (or single if it's just you!) kayak on a calm day or evening, and paddle somewhere pretty, be it in Beaulieu River or at Milford on Sea and on Keyhaven River - it's all just so relaxing and beautiful. 

Kayaking with New Forest Activities

Check out SUP Styles too - on Lymington River.

Get your culture fix 

Book now for the wonderful Solent Music Festival 20-26 September

This will be a treat to anticipate in September. The Solent Music Festival was founded in 2013 with the aim of attracting the highest possible calibre of classical music performances to Lymington and so with the hard work of Sam and Sophia it has come to pass, with a variety of nightly concerts of different genres taking place throughout the week in lovely relaxed, friendly style in beautiful St Thomas Church.

All on our doorstep too!  Click here for details of all the concerts and book now!

Even better whilst enjoying around a beautiful garden

The sculpures in the grounds of Beaulieu really are worth seeing, if you can make time for a visit. The Thursday evening specials are over now, but you can combine of course with a visit to the Motor Museum and all the attractions which attract you! Until 30 August.

Sculptures at Beaulieu

We also went recently for the first time in a long time to Exbury Gardens, and can thoroughly recommend it. It's much bigger than you imagine,everybody spreads out and it doesn't feel crowded. We were after the azalea and rhodendendron season, in fact it wasn't very colourful the day we were there but it's just a wonderful place to wander, with more hills and perspectives than you'd expect too, in fact you can get quite lost, both literally and in your daydreams! Different zones within have very different characters, including the winding route down to the the marshes of Beaulieu River where you can stand or sit and admire the view down the river and across the Solent and west as far as the Needles.

We were reminded by our contributors about Furzey Gardens. We remembered it for the fairies which our small children loved but of course, it's also a fabulous grown-ups place for wandering and meandering too!  

Just go for a walk!

We just love walking as do many of our friends and as too do many of the folk who come visiting to our holiday let, whom we ask when they leave what they most enjoyed. Invariably that's the answer - just walking,and they remark how utterly different it is here to most other places in the UK. The freedome of just being able to walk where you want to, when you want to, be it up on the ridges or the heathlands in the open when the weather's fine or taking shelter in the trees when it's not... constantly taking pleasure in the sights and sounds all around, including those early in the morning and late in the evening of the ground nesting and water living birdlife. Generally just walking, leisurely, not too fast, admiring all the flora and fauna of the forest. It's easy for locals in a hurry to get somewhere to forget how special this all is. When we have time to spare just walking can be the greatest pleasure - as many more have found during the lockdowns of the last year too.

Take an energetic walk along Hurst Spit

Walks along the beaches and sea wall (officially signposted as the Solent Way) are popular all year-round - especially the Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve that winds its way from the Lymington marinas and Sea Water Baths to Hurst Castle. We especially love to walk along Hurst Spit: depending on weather and energy levels (including those of canine companions) one can park at Mount Lake and simply march to the Castle and back again enjoying spectacular views the whole way (they're totally different in each direction!) or make it a round trip with the old fashioned ferry, which turns this walk into a Keyhaven River Cruise too.

Wander in a more leisurely manner along the river:  Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard

The riverside walk from Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard (where you can just have an ice cream or take the time to explore the museum too) and back is a favourite for families too but when you can simply meander and enjoy the scenery in your own time it's even more special. 

New walks to explore this summer...

We've also just come across this new selection of "historic" walking routes which look really interesting and which we intend to try ourselves this summer! 

Selection of historic walking routes in the New Forest

Take a break for lunch, tea and cocktails 

Lunch long and lazily at Lime Wood

In current times famous for its cuisine thanks to the Hartnett Holder & Co partnership and for its luxury ie expensive DFL (down from London!) connotations, Lime Wood was formerly the Parkhill House Hotel and is set in a historic country estate featuring forest and field views. For those of us more mature locals who long ago celebrated special occasions at Parkhill, a visit back to these dreamy grounds has additional significance. If it interests you, you can read more about the history of this beautiful estate courtesy of the New Forest Explorers website.

Post lockdown in July 2021 with the recruitment crisis in hospitality hitting the headlines not just in the forest but nationwide, our reception by the welcoming staff for a special treat for us, ordinary weekday lunch for them, was exceptional. The unexpected and beautifully presented amuse bouche pictured was only the beginning. Lunch was superb.The price was perfectly reasonable in fact it reminds one how it's worth spending that little bit extra to get so much more!

Lime Wood Hotel - luxurious country house hotel and spa

One of our contributors tells us that lunch at the new and totally revamped Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst is also a special occasion - it's now on our list to try! 

And of course you all know already that lunch or dinner in the new outdoor indoor Lodge Kitchen & Bar at the Balmer Lawn Hotel is a very suitable "adults only" treat too!

Balmer Lawn Hotel - choice of relaxed informal or more elegant dining

Take time for Tea! 

Visit fairytale Rhinefield House for tea, or for the ultimate in R&R it's recommended by one of our contributors to combine with a Spa Day there. It's a lovely place to end up too after a visit to admire the Tall Trees nearby.

Out of a fairytale: Rhinefield House 

Let's drink gin!

"Gin at Matthew's Hotel", aka the Thatched Cottage Hotel in Brockenhurst, was proposed by several of our contributors - and we were going to mention it anyway.

It's not often you get the chance to learn lots about gin at the same time as drinking it, but you will courtesy of Matthew's knowledge and skills pairing gins and tonics. If you don't believe us you have got to try it! You may wish you could just stay the night but you'd need to have organised that beforehand - the rooms will almost certainly be fully booked!

Thatched Cottage Hotel and Gin Bar, Brockenhurst

And a few more suggestions

Ride a Tandem

For some time on my list of things to do before the inevitable, so this is a personal reminder too, to hire a tandem and go for a different kind of bike ride - hopefully staying upright!  We'll be hiring from Cyclexperience in Brockenhurst, which over many years has provided a fantastic service including multiple bike delivery to our home when multiple guests came to stay one autumn weekend

Cyclexperience Bicycle Hire

Take up Tennis

If every summer you watch Wimbledon (possible again this year thankfully) and think I could do that, there's a really easy way to find out if it's for you by joining Tennis 21 at Lymington Tennis, for a 30 days trial membership of £1!  Doesn't matter what level you are...

 

A round of golf with a view

If golf is your thing, for exercise or relaxation or both, we recommend a visit to Lymington Golf Centre which also includes New Forest Adventure Golf - fun for an adults giggle and depending on your personality, potentially stiff competition too! You can often simply pay and play, and because the course sits high on its hill the fabulous views of Lymington River and out over the Solent are an additional treat. (And pick a few strawberries and buy some delicious jam at Goodalls on your way out!)

Lymington Golf Centre and New Forest Adventure Golf and Goodalls Pick Your Own

Simply swim in the sea!

Sea swimming is popular with the hardiest locals all year round and in the summer the beach-hut-lined beaches make a scenic, colourful sight. Who needs the Mediterranean when you can bask in the sunshine at Calshot, Milford and Highcliffe! The water is far cleaner too - the water quality at all of the New Forest's beaches has been rated Excellent by the Environment Agency.

Read our guide to New Forest Beaches!

Swim from Milford Beach

Open water swimming is becoming a great big favourite thing to do for many adults. And maybe you don't have a (now eye wateringly expensive!) beach hut but hey! And the great thing about a steeply sloping shingle beach is that it's easy to make a comfy perch for sitting, it doesn't take ages to wade in to the water and in fact within a few steps from the shore you can safely attempt to make headway against the tide then turn and briefly speed with it, and swiftly switch back before you go too far! The best part is that when you clamber (yes the tender footed may need shoes!) back up the beach to get changed, you don't get sand all over everything!

Swim at Lymington Lido too!

Lots of adults have been spotted recently having big fun on the inflatables at Lymington Seawater Baths which reminds us that it's great for swimming proper "lengths" (aka widths) too!

Lymington Seawater Baths

Mark and Hugh on open water swimming

Go to a concert!

Some lovely concerts are in the offing into the autumn too, courtesy of Brockenhurst Music Society

 

See also:

What will you do on your New Forest holiday? 

Things to do in the New Forest area over the summer holidays

And, remember to mention Lymington.com when you're out and about this summer!

 

 

A guide to beaches near Lymington and the New Forest

Excellent water quality ratings for New Forest and Milford beaches

Ed Note June 2022: We reviewed our article from some time ago... and concluded that not a lot had changed. Erosion and other factors have played a part and sadly some of the Milford on Sea beach huts have been lost to the sea but essentially, these brilliant beaches are yet another of the wonderful components of the New Forest in which we're so lucky to live!

Did you know that the New Forest has over 40 miles of coastline?

The New Forest coast stretches from Totton near Southampton all the way to Barton on Sea, with the beaches of Highcliffe and Christchurch Bay also within easy reach. The foreshore provides a wealth of environments for wildlife, with salt marshes, mudflats and numerous inaccessible areas providing an enticing playground for egrets, herons, birds of prey and wildfowl, as well as New Forest ponies and cattle. 

Walks along the beaches and sea wall (officially signposted as the Solent Way) are popular all year-round - especially the Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve that winds its way from the Lymington marinas and Sea Water Baths to Hurst Castle.

Sea swimming is popular with the hardiest locals all year round and in the summer the beach-hut-lined beaches make a popular family day out. Who needs the Mediterranean when you can bask in the sunshine at Milford and Highcliffe's tempting beaches! The water is far cleaner too - the water quality at all of the New Forest's beaches has been rated Excellent by the Environment Agency.

Here is our quick guide to the best beaches in Lymington, the New Forest and beyond...

Calshot Beach

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: welcome October-April
Car park: pay and display (Sat nav: SO45 1BS)

Calshot beach is part of a shingle spit on the Hampshire coast which extends westward by one mile into the southern end of Southampton Water. The beach is mostly shingle with some sand and is backed by colourful beach huts that offer views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Short wooden groynes at the top of the beach slope down to a shingle and sand shelf which, at low tides, extends out some distance and affords plenty of shallow water at mid tides.

While you’re there, you’re sure to get in some boat watching as beautiful ships make their way in and out of Southampton. The Bluebird Café provides light refreshments and snacks, there are on-site toilets and a car park can be found adjacent to the beach.

At the end of the spit, you’ll find Calshot Castle, built by King Henry VIII to defend our South Coast. The beach is popular with water sports enthusiasts, partially due to the fact that it houses Calshot Activities Centre, which offers all sorts of sports both on the water and off. The beach is also great for fishing.

Lepe Beach

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: welcome in the Country Park but not permitted on the family-friendly beach, which is located in front of the beach car park, between April and September. Follow signs on-site for alternative routes.
Car park: pay and display (Sat nav: SO45 1AD)

Lepe beach covers one mile of coastline and offers a mixture of sand and shingle, sloping down to a sandy area that extends out for some distance at low tide. The beach is backed by grassland and pine-fringed cliffs which, along with the beach itself, are part of Lepe Country Park.

There’s something for everyone at this beach, whether it be kite or windsurfing, a children’s play area, wildflower meadows, or even the D-Day artefacts that offer an insight into the beach’s historic importance. At low tide along the eastern end of the beach, remains of wartime defences can be spotted.

A long-stay carpark, shop and the Lookout café are situated on-site, and there are all-terrain wheelchairs available for hire.

Milford on Sea beaches

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: welcome all year
Car park: Hurst Road (sat nav: SO41 0PY), Paddy's Gap (sat nav: SO41 0NS) and Hordle Cliff (sat nav: SO41 0UX) Pay and display or local amenity parking clock applies.

A mostly-shingle beach with much to offer, Milford on Sea is excellent for swimming, water sports, walking, fishing and bird watching. A concrete sea wall and frequent timber groynes can be found along the beach and a little sand is exposed at the water’s edge in some places. The beach is lined with colourful beach huts and backed by a coastal cliff path. Milford on Sea beach offers views of the Solent, Isle of Wight, Purbeck Hills, Hengistbury Head and Christchurch Harbour.

Hurst Road car park is a short walk from Milford on Sea village, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants, shops, cafés and pubs. At the beach you'll find the Needles Eye Café and a children's playground. A short walk along Hurst Spit (to the East of Milford on Sea beach) will lead you to Hurst Castle.

A short drive along the coast road brings you to the Paddy's Gap and Hordle Cliff car parks. Hordle Cliff has an overflow car park (much needed on sunny summer days!), loos and a takeaway kiosk. At low tide Hordle Cliff beach reveals a sand bar where groups gather to splash in the surf. The beach is lined with brightly coloured wooden beach huts and is popular with swimmers, kite surfers, kayaks and paddleboarders. Beach BBQs are allowed.

Barton on Sea Beach

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: welcome all year
Car park: 3 car parks along Marine Drive East / West (Sat nav: BH25 7DX, BH25 7DX, BH25 7EG) Pay and display or local amenity parking clock applies.

At the eastern end of Christchurch Bay, you’ll find this beautiful shingle beach which boasts stunning views of the Isle of Wight and Solent. Rock groynes and a steep slope flatten to shallow sandy flats that are exposed when the tide retreats and picturesque beach huts line the cliff base.

However, there’s more to this beach than the bathing; the magnificent Solent Way walk runs along the 30-metre-high clay cliffs that back the beach. Barton on Sea’s prehistoric past makes the beach famous for its fossil beds, perfect for a spot of fossil hunting.

There are three car parks nearby and road parking, as well as on-site toilets, a café, a restaurant, a shop and beach huts available to hire.

Highcliffe Beach

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: October-April
Car park: Waterford Road (Sat nav: BH23 5DA) Pay and display or local amenity parking clock applies.

Just a five-minute drive from the New Forest border, the shingle and sand beach at Highcliffe has numerous groynes and a moderate slope, flattening to shallow sandy flats that are exposed when the tide retreats. Behind the beach are cliffs and a shoreline promenade, which provides access to the town and to the coast road at the top of the cliff.

Parking is available at the end of Waterford Road and refreshments at the Cliffhanger Café.

Highcliffe Castle Beach

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: October-April
Lifeguard: patrol mid-July - early September (check here)
Car park: pay and display (not NFDC parking clocks) - Sat nav: BH23 4LE

Highcliffe Castle has a sand and shingle beach, approximately one kilometre wide, backed by woodland covered cliffs. Follow the zig-zag path down the cliffs to the peaceful beach, perfect for sandcastles and relaxing. It is a good beach to visit in the summer months if you want to avoid dogs which are only permitted October-April.

Built between 1831 and 1836, Highcliffe Castle is an important surviving house of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture, which flourished at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Castle tours are usually available (prebook), where you can learn more about its fascinating history, look around the many rooms and surrounding grounds and gardens.

Refreshments are available at Highcliffe Castle café. 

Steamer Point

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: October-April
Car park: Penny Way pay and display (Sat nav: BH23 4UE)

This sandy beach is located below Steamer Point Nature Reserve, which boasts both aquatic and woodland habitats which attract a multitude of wildlife. The quiet beach can be accessed from a one-mile path from Friar’s Cliff beach to the west or Highcliffe Castle to the east, or alternatively, there’s a long-stay car park with on-site toilets. There are many tracks and trails through the woodland to enjoy, passing two wildlife-packed ponds.

Friars Cliff Beach

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: October- April
Lifeguard patrol: patrol mid-July - early September (check here)
Car park: Penny Way pay and display (Sat nav: BH23 4UE)

Friars Cliff Beach is a sandy and stony beach found to the east of its neighbour, Avon Beach. It also acts as the start of a one-mile path that leads you to Steamer Point Nature Reserve. The beach features views of the Isle of Wight and is lined by colourful beach huts, which can be hired.

Additionally, there’s parking available at Steamer Point car park, toilets and showers on-site, the Beach Café, restaurant and a shop.

Avon Beach

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: October- April
Lifeguard: patrol mid-July - early September (check here)
Car park: Noisy Lobster (Sat nav: BH23 4AN), Avon Run Road (BH23 4AN), Mudeford Quay (BH23 4AB)

Along the outskirts of Christchurch, you’ll find Avon Beach in Mudeford, a beautiful, sandy beach with views of the Solent and Isle of Wight. The beach offers something for everyone, a designated water sports area, beach huts for hire, an ice cream kiosk, a children’s play area, the Noisy Lobster restaurant, shop, a café and the perfect surface for sandcastle building!

Moreover, there are ample amenities including on-site showers and toilets, parking and disabled access. The beach is popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers.

Hengistbury Head

Water quality: excellent
Dogs: welcome all year-round
Car park: Hengistbury Head (Sat nav: BH6 4EL)

Hengistbury Head has it all: woodland, saltmarsh, heathland and beach which altogether house over 300 different bird species and countless varieties of wildlife. The visitor centre, near the long stay car park, offers more information on the area’s archaeology, geology and ecology. There are on-site toilets, food and drink available and disabled access with smooth paths, a land train and a Land Rover service. All the way along the beach, gravel paths and headland, you can enjoy pleasant walks, as well as a land train which starts at the car park and travels to the spit and harbour entrance.

On the western side you'll find the beach, the start of Southbourne Beach. On the eastern side is the spit - the Mudeford Sandbank, lined with beach huts across Christchurch Harbour. The Beach House café makes a good pitstop. A land train travels between the main car park and Hengistbury spit.

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