Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Lymington, Hampshire

This charming town situated on the western side of the Solent prospered through salt production, shipbuilding, and smuggling activities.

These industries thrived during the 18th century in Lymington, contributing to an unblemished Georgian town landscape characterized by small courtyards and a quaint cobbled hill descending to the Town Quay.

Today, Lymington is a hub for sailing enthusiasts, featuring three marinas at the confluence of the Lymington River.

The former saltings along the coast have been transformed into nature reserves, attracting a vibrant array of bird species and offering breathtaking views towards the Isle of Wight.

Lymington also borders the expansive New Forest, a region rich in woodlands and pastures populated by semi-feral ponies.

Let’s explore the top activities to engage in at Lymington:

1. The New Forest

Lymington lies adjacent to 219 square miles of unfenced forest, pasture, and heathland.

Horses have roamed this land since antiquity, with the New Forest pony being a direct descendant, allowed to graze and roam freely.

Historically, the New Forest served as a royal hunting ground, where two of William the Conqueror’s sons tragically died in hunting mishaps.

Furthermore, the Royal Navy utilized timber from the New Forest’s numerous oak trees for shipbuilding.

To gain insight into this legacy and the park’s natural beauty, visit the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst, featuring a replica of a traditional cob cottage, where children can engage in the “Poo Corner” game to learn about local wildlife.

A notable landmark near Lymington is the Knightwood Oak, dubbed the “Queen of the Forest,” boasting a girth exceeding seven meters and an age of over 500 years.

2. Solent Way Walk

Lymington acts as the eastern terminus of a 60-mile coastal path stretching from Milford-on-Sea in the west to Emsworth Harbour in the east.

This pathway follows the coastline of the Solent, the strait separating mainland England from the Isle of Wight.

From Lymington, you can embark on a brief coastal trek to Milford-on-Sea, with an option to catch a seasonal ferry from Keyhaven Harbour to Hurst Castle.

The opposite direction leads inland through the New Forest on a 10-mile stretch to Beaulieu.

At Buckler’s Hard, you will find two historic rows of Georgian cottages sloping towards the Beaulieu River.

Since the early 18th century, this area served as a shipbuilding settlement using timber sourced from the New Forest, and has since become an open-air museum showcasing its vibrant maritime heritage.

3. Hurst Castle

Constructed by Henry VIII in the early 1540s, Hurst Castle is part of the defensive Device Forts system.

This artillery fortress is strategically positioned at the narrow western approach to the Solent, located at the end of the mile-long shingle bank known as Hurst Spit.

When built, Hurst Castle represented a significant advancement in military fortifications, equipped with 26 artillery pieces to secure a mere 0.75-mile-wide channel.

Post-16th century, the castle served as a prison and underwent several modernizations during the Napoleonic Wars, again in the mid-19th century, and later during World War II.

This venue encapsulates multiple historical layers, featuring Tudor gun embrasures, impressive RML 12.5 inch 38-ton artillery from the 1800s, and an unexpectedly preserved small theater established during World War II.

From the rooftop, one can reflect upon the Solent and gaze towards the distant Needles amidst the Napoleonic-era gun placements.

4. Lymington Town Trail

The Lymington and Pennington government website provides a downloadable leaflet and map illustrating trails across Lymington and its surrounding areas.

The introductory red route encircles Lymington’s enchanting Georgian and Victorian town center, presenting an impressive array of sights and information within approximately one hour.

Be sure to explore the charming little courts branching off the High Street, originally created to provide additional space for traders and currently home to boutiques and cafes.

Prominently situated at the top of the hill is the grand Angel Inn, a historical coaching inn dating back to the 18th century.

Proclamations were once announced from its balcony, while adjacent assembly rooms served as the social hub for Lymington’s upper class.

From this vantage point, one can spot a large granite obelisk on the opposite bank of the Lymington River, erected in memory of Harry Burrard-Neale, the early 19th-century MP for Lymington.

5. St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery

Located on New Street, this well-maintained local museum reopened in August 2017 following a £2 million refurbishment.

The exhibitions focus on the heritage of the New Forest coast, examining historical trades and activities including shipbuilding, salt production, and smuggling.

These topics are presented in a compelling timeline highlighting Lymington’s development over the centuries and featuring artifacts related to commerce, domestic life, industry, agriculture, conflict, recreation, and local ecology.

The museum garnered attention recently for acquiring The Boldre Hoard, a collection of over 1,600 Roman coins from the 3rd century.

Children will find ample interactive exhibits, clothing to try on, and activities such as operating a replica pilot boat wheelhouse.

The Art Gallery hosts temporary exhibitions, showcasing noteworthy artists from the region, including bird sculptor Geoffrey Dashwood and engraver Colin See-Paynton.

6. Lymington Sea Water Baths

Established in 1833 and restored in 2010, the Lymington Sea Water Baths holds the title for the oldest lido in the country.

The pool is among the largest, measuring 110 meters in length and 50 meters in width, filled with filtered and chlorinated seawater.

The current pool sits on the location of a prior baths founded in 1780 and operates during the summer months, remaining closed from September to May.

After closing in 2008, the facility was reopened thanks to a campaign led by Lymington residents, who also participated in refurbishing efforts.

There is ample space for those seeking serious swimming, as well as a 200-meter floating inflatable obstacle course suitable for climbing, sliding, and scrambling.

Additionally, paddleboards can be rented on-premise, and there exists a safe splash pool for younger visitors.

7. Lymington Quay

At the foot of the High Street, a picturesque descent via Quay Hill leads to the waterfront.

This steep cobblestone path traverses a ravine filled with restaurants, tearooms, and wine cellars, all housed within charming Georgian buildings.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Quay Hill bustled with activity as several tons of salt were transported downhill daily for loading onto vessels, while coal and timber were similarly unloaded.

Contrary to today’s serene ambiance, this area was once notorious, as Lymington was recognized as a smuggling hub.

The estuary is still animated with numerous pleasure boats moored at the marina and the exclusive Lymington Yacht Haven.

Additionally, the Town Quay offers lovely perspectives over the water, featuring notable historical buildings such as the House on the Quay from 1675 and the Ship Inn from 1850.

8. Beaulieu Abbey

This Cistercian Abbey at Beaulieu was established by King John in the early 13th century.

It was unique in Britain as it housed French monks from the Cistercian order’s mother house located in Cîteaux.

Like most monasteries in England, Beaulieu Abbey suffered damage during the Reformation when its estate was sold to Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton.

Remarkably, Wriothesley repurposed the abbey’s grand gatehouse into Palace House, preserving much of the cloister, while the refectory was converted into a parish church.

Visitors can explore the replanted potager and the ruins of the chapterhouse, while the well-preserved domus (lay-brothers’ quarters) houses a museum showcasing exhibits that illustrate what the abbey resembled in the 13th century and chronicling the daily life of a Medieval Cistercian monk.

9. Palace House, Beaulieu

The mansion constructed by Thomas Wriothesley in Beaulieu has remained within the Montagu family lineage ever since its establishment.

The house underwent remodeling and expansion during the 19th century and has been preserved as a quintessential Victorian country residence.

Notably, it became one of the first country houses in England to welcome the public, having opened its doors to visitors in 1952. Guided tours are conducted by staff dressed as Victorian household members, who share anecdotes about the many Montagus who traversed these halls.

The kitchen has been meticulously restored, and during school holidays, one might witness Lord Montagu’s cook preparing dishes inspired by Victorian cuisine.

10. National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

Contained within the same estate is one of the foremost motoring attractions in the UK.

The National Motor Museum was established by Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu as a tribute to his father, John, an early advocate for automotive travel who founded The Car Illustrated magazine in 1902. The museum houses a wealth of automobilia, including photographs, footage, books, and journals, alongside a collection of approximately 250 vehicles from eight different countries, dating back to the 19th century.

This expansive collection features 11 Formula 1 cars, including a Bugatti Type 35 and a McLaren Mercedes from the 2010 season.

The vintage era collections (1919-1930) and those from the mid-20th century are particularly impressive, showcasing iconic models like the E-Type Jaguar and AC Shelby Cobra. Additionally, in 2018, the Luxury of Motoring exhibition highlighted the grandeur of the interwar years with a stunning display of 28 glass car mascots crafted by Renée Lalique.

11. Hurst Spit

Rather than taking the ferry from Keyhaven Harbour to Hurst Castle, you might opt for the scenic route along the mile-long Hurst Spit.

As you traverse this shingle bank, you can admire views of the Isle of Wight and the famous Needles to the south and east, or look back over the mudflats and salt marshes that historically supported Lymington’s economy.

This environment is a haven for wading birds including redshanks, ringed and grey plovers, and oystercatchers, as well as large colonies of dunlin and black-headed gulls.

At the spit’s terminus, adjacent to Hurst Castle, stands the 26-meter Hurst Point Lighthouse, which was completed in 1867 and remains operational today.

12. Woodside Park

Beloved by locals, Woodside Park resides in Lymington’s southern outskirts and is perfect for families seeking an affordable outing.

The park features remarkable old specimen trees, setting the stage for the “Woodside Fairy Trail.” Visitors can download a map to guide children on a quest to find the trunk home of the “Fey of Woodside,” a community of gnomes, goblins, fairies, elves, and brownies. Additionally, the park boasts an adventure playground for children, a skate park, an outdoor gym, and permanent table tennis tables, while the formal gardens and towering rhododendron bushes are enchanting in summer.

The weekly Park Run occurs on Saturdays at 09:00, allowing free participation following online registration.

13. Lymington Nature Reserve

To view the remnants of Lymington’s historic salt production, continue along the coastal path past the Sea Water Baths and Lymington Yacht Haven.

By following the seawall, you can overlook the salterns, now integrated into a continuous nature reserve stretching between Lymington and Hurst Castle.

If possible, bring binoculars to observe the multitude of wading birds present.

From the 12th to the 19th century, the entire three-mile coastline was dedicated to salt production.

This area was once filled with boiling houses, docks, wind pumps, and evaporating ponds.

In Lower Pennington, above the marshes, several old salt boiling houses from the 18th century persist.

Afterward, you can return toward Lymington via Woodside Lane, which features several prominent historic buildings, including the 17th-century Manor House.

14. Apple Court Garden and Nursery

Situated off the main thoroughfare, this captivating formal garden, located three miles from Lymington, is open from May to October.

Apple Court was developed in the 20th century within the abandoned walled garden of Yeatton House.

Spanning just one acre, the garden features an array of unique compartments, such as the Hosta Walk, which flourishes with color in spring, and the daylily collection, particularly mesmerizing in July.

Roses are interspersed throughout the garden alongside exotic palms, well-suited to the mild climate of coastal Hampshire.

The Japanese Garden contains Japanese maples, bamboo, and koi carp, while the White Garden boasts a remarkable ellipse of pleached hornbeam trees.

15. Lymington Charter Market

On Saturdays, the High Street transforms into a pedestrian-friendly zone as Lymington continues its trading tradition dating back to 1250. Stalls line the pavements on either side of the street, offering fresh bread, fruits, vegetables, plants, cut flowers, herbs, meat, fish, arts, crafts, fashion items, and greeting cards.

Each week features around 100 stalls, creating a lively atmosphere.

In April 2018, a fruit and vegetable vendor, Wayne Bellows, received a warning from the council for promoting his products too vocally!