Lymington

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The historic town of Lymington offers plenty for the visitor to the New Forest. This colourful coastal town is an ancient seaport with a rich maritime history.

Situated on the west bank of the Lymington River, on the edge of the Solent, Lymington is a major yachting centre with three marinas.

The town began as an Anglo-Saxon village and is recorded in the Domesday Book as ‘Lentune’. From the Middle Ages and up to the 19th century, Lymington was well-known for its salt making and from the early 19th century a thriving ship building industry.

Much of the architecture you see today in Lymington is Georgian and Victorian. The High Street, which looks predominantly Georgian, is in fact made up of an eclectic mix of Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco with some traces of Medieval architecture.

At the top of the High Street sits the Church of St Thomas. A church has been at this location since the mid-thirteenth century and parts of the current church date back from the early thirteenth century. This Grade II Listed building was badly damaged during the English Civil War, when Puritans occupied it. Over subsequent centuries architectural additions have been added to the building including the tower and cupola. Within the church take a look at the magnificent glass doors and needlework.

With its strong maritime connections, it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that Lymington was once famous for smuggling. The vicar of the Church of St Thomas once used to allow smugglers to store their contraband within the church’s tower!

Things to do in Lymington

You will never be bored in Lymington with all of the fantastic things to do in this lovely town. Head on down to Lymington on a Saturday and enjoy the hustle and bustle of a traditional street market along the High Street. The popular market offers everything from local fine foods to craftwork and antiques and has around 100 stalls. Soak up the history of this market which has had a charter from 1250.

Visit the family-friendly St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery which occupies a former Victorian school building. The museum takes visitors on a journey of the history of Lymington from the times of William the Conqueror through to World War II. It also houses temporary exhibitions. An on-site café makes a welcome stop and is open to people even if they aren’t going into the museum or art gallery.

Make a wander through the pretty cobbled streets of the old town and on to The Quay to watch the luxury yachts and fishing boats come and go.

Near to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club you will find Lymington’s famous sea water baths which date back to 1833. These are the oldest sea water baths in the UK and are a popular addition to the town in the summer months. To this day, visitors can bathe in these waters and offer not only swimming but inflatable fun, stand up paddle boarding and aqua jousting.

If you enjoy walking then a bracing walk along the 10 miles of nearby Lymington to Keyhaven nature reserve is a must. Look out for wetland birds, take in views of The Needles on the Isle of Wight and breathe in the fresh, salty air.

Take a boat trip from the quayside and enjoy views of the marina and towards the Solent to see the Isle of Wight. A variety of different trips are available. Another way to take to the waters is with Escape Yachting, who offer relaxing sailing experiences including sunset cruises.

Lymington boasts a wide range of unique and interesting shops including several boutiques, great for picking up a new outfit or simply a souvenir of your visit!

Whilst on your visit to Lymington, don’t forget to look out for the gold post box, a tribute to Sir Ben Ainslie for winning Gold in the London 2012 Olympics.

Events in Lymington

As well as the regular markets, Lymington holds a variety of events throughout the year. Lymington Seafood Festival descends on the town for a weekend in summer bringing with it stalls, cookery demonstrations and a live music stage.

Taking place on the outskirts of Lymington is New Forest Family Fest! With local food, drink, crafts, music, entertainment, attractions and so much more, it's a local festival that the whole family will love...

The Lymington Centre offers cinema, theatre and comedy for locals and visitors and the St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery has events throughout the year including exhibitions, family activities and workshops.

In the summer, look out for the Lymington Carnival (usually taking place in July).

Sailing enthusiasts will enjoy the regattas and the popular Thursday evening racing hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

Keep an eye on our what’s on pages as we share with you details of other events coming up in and around Lymington.

Places to stay in Lymington

If you're looking to take a break in Lymington, there are plenty of places to stay to choose from. There are a couple of hotels that can be found near to Lymington town centre; Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel & Resort, both offering swimming pools. Or try the Mill at Gordleton, set halfway between Lymington and Sway.

There are a variety of B&Bs and Guest Houses on offer in and around Lymington including Victorian cottages, a converted barn and many properties offering both en-suite facilities and on-site parking. 2 Slade Cottages offers a wonderful stay, located on the outskirts of Lymington in the village of Pilley.

If you prefer self-catered options then look out for several self-catering properties and holiday cottages or lodges at such as Hackney Park. Use the search box on this page to check the types of property on offer and their availability for when you plan on visiting.

Where to eat and drink in Lymington

Relax and enjoy some delicious food and drink in one of the many fine-dining establishments Lymington has to offer. You will find loads of places to eat along the High Street and around the quay, perhaps a spot of afternoon tea one of the town’s charming tea rooms and cafes is what you need or maybe some classic pub grub at one of the many watering holes in the town.

Getting to Lymington

Lymington has its own railway station. Mainline trains link London Waterloo to nearby Brockenhurst, there’s then a short journey by train or bus to Lymington.

Regular bus services with Bluestar connect Lymington from Bournemouth and Southampton.

There is a regular ferry service from the Isle of Wight offered by Wightlink ferries.

Highlights

New Forest Cottages

With over 150 holiday cottages to choose from, New Forest Cottages will help you find your perfect…

New Forest Bikes

We provide bikes for hire to enjoy beautiful scenery following our coastal route or getting close…

Shorefield Country Park

Set near the scenic Milford on Sea clifftop, Shorefield Country Park is an award-winning,…

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833 reviews
Shorefield Country Park

Location:

Milford-on-Sea

Set near the scenic Milford on Sea clifftop, Shorefield Country Park is an award-winning, family-run holiday park based in the south of the New Forest. With plenty of open spaces to discover right on your doorstep, from the rolling landscapes of the…
Special Offers
- 2022 Holiday Roll Back Sale!
  With the rising cost of living squeezing everyone, we’re ‘rolling back’ our prices to 2019* so that you can book a great value UK staycation and enjoy a much-needed coastal escape while saving a few pounds too! With the hotly anticipated holiday season coming up quickly, avoid the stress of airport queues and cancelled flights and take the opportunity to soak up the glorious surroundings of the UK coastline - we here at Shorefield Holidays are ready and waiting to welcome you!
  Holidays shouldn’t have to be a hassle, so make Dorset or the New Forest the location for your next self-catering escape. Whether it’s family fun on the beach, spotting local wildlife on nature trails near the parks, exploring the local area, or simply putting your feet up, for a well-earned rest in one of our luxurious hot tub lodges – we have something to suit everyone that now won’t cost the world.
  But hurry! Sale ends midnight Sunday 10th July – **Terms & Conditions Apply
  PLUS… If that wasn’t enough, our Privilege Club members will get an extra 10% off and Blue Light holders get an additional 5% off!
  Terms and conditions:
  *Price checks were carried out on over 100 holiday prices in 2019 at full Shorefield rack rate tariff. For new booking only made between the sale dates.
  **Excludes Swanage Coastal Park and camping and touring breaks. The 2022 at 2019 discount offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other Shorefield Holidays promotions, unless specified in these terms. Our Privilege Club members can receive an additional 10% off and Blue light card holders 5% off. The promotion is based upon full rack rate tariffs from 2019 and cannot be measured against any holidays sold at discounted rates. Standard booking deposit rules and balance terms apply.
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New Forest Cottages

Location:

Lymington
Awards

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With over 150 holiday cottages to choose from, New Forest Cottages will help you find your perfect family holiday, dog friendly cottage or romantic break.
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New Forest Bikes

Location:

Lymington

We provide bikes for hire to enjoy beautiful scenery following our coastal route or getting close to nature through the New Forest routes.

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Little Home Farm

Location:

Walhampton , Lymington

Little Home Farm is a lovely, recently refurbished cottage located in Lymington. This holiday home sleeps 6 with 3 bedrooms and 3 ensuites.

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The Mill at Gordleton Conference Residential Venue

Location:

Sway

Conference Room - Our meeting room is ideal for small corporate meetings, functions and seminars.

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The Mill at Gordleton Wedding Ceremony Venue

Location:

Sway

All our weddings at the Mill are individual and unique. We will spend as much time as necessary with you to make sure everything is perfect.

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Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel Conference Residential Venue

Location:

Lymington

Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel is an ideal venue for your business meeting or conference. Set on the edge of the New Forest countryside, our hotel provides a relaxing and comfortable retreat from the stresses and strains of the office.

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Teddy's Farm

Location:

Boldre, Lymington

Battramsley Farm is Teddy’s Farm, a 170 acre family farm just north of Lymington in The New Forest.

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380 reviews
Lytton Lawn Touring Park

Location:

Milford On Sea

Lytton Lawn offers spectacular views over the Isle of Wight, and is a wonderful camping and touring park to visit at any time of year.

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Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel Wedding Ceremony Venue

Location:

Lymington

Set within 23 acres of beautiful grounds, the 19th Century Manor House has retained its original character and features. Macdonald Elmers Court will provide you with the perfect surroundings for your special day, with spectacular photograph

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85 reviews
Rudder's of Lymington

Location:

Lymington

Rudder's of Lymington is a detached property offering annexed, ground floor luxury en-suite rooms, with one having the benefit of its own patio garden. There is private parking and all rooms are independently accessed.

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1390 reviews
South Lawn Hotel

Location:

Milford on Sea

The South Lawn Hotel is positioned between the New Forest National Park and the splendid Hampshire coastline. It is just 10 minutes from the idyllic market town of Lymington.

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The Mill at Gordleton

Location:

Sway

Relax and unwind in one of our beautiful bedrooms.

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Walhampton Monument Trail

Location:

Lymington

3.2 miles (5.1 km)
Visit the monument to Admiral Sir Harry Burrard-Neale (1765-1835), a prominent Naval officer and former MP for Lymington who was greatly admired for the chages he brought to the town.

This walk also enjoys good views over the…

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442 reviews
Escape Yachting

Location:

Kings Saltern Road

We specialise in creating relaxing sailing experiences. See the English coast from a different angle with our days out and weekend experiences on the Solent, from our base in Lymington.
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- Quote "Go New Forest" for a special offer, subject to availability, on our Day Trips.
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Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel & Resort

Location:

Lymington

Located on the stunning Solent Coast, this New Forest hotel is set in a manor house dating from 1820 and surrounded by 23 acres of private grounds. An ideal venue for a short break, romantic wedding or business meetings.

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Sway and Setthorns Loop

Location:

Sway

9 miles (14.5 km)
This bike ride is great for families, showing you the best of the New Forest’s landscape. The cycle is mostly an off-road route on quiet gravel tracks starting and finishing at Sway Train Station.

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Lighthouse Marketing

Location:

Bath Rd, Lymington

Lighthouse Marketing opened in 2012 in the stunning coastal town of Lymington. With over 40 years’ experience helping build some of the most successful multinational brands, we are able to offer the unique combination of expert sales and marketing…

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Priory Wines - Delivery

Location:

Lymington

Priory Wines are Lymington's independent wine merchant where you will discover great service, friendliness, and quality wines at competitive prices, located on the Ampress Business Estate.
We offer FREE local home delivery for orders of £50 or more …

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St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery

Location:

Lymington

St Barbe is the focal point for arts and heritage in this area. It has a modern museum telling the story of Lymington and the surrounding area, and the highest standard galleries that exhibit unique exhibitions.

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