Lymington is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty; to the north are the ancient woodlands and heathlands of the New Forest, covering an area of about 145 square miles, and to the south, the Solent and the Isle of Wight, Wightlink operate a car ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth.
Going west are four miles of coastal nature reserve ending at Hurst Spit which has received European and national recognition as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
In addition to Lymington the website covers an area where you could possibly travel on a day-trip; an area approximately from Southampton to Swanage.
There are many activities to try out within reasonable travelling distance from Lymington.
The most popular activity in the New Forest is cycling with many level miles of well-maintained and signposted trails. The largest cycle hire is along the south side of Brockenhurst station.
Also the New Forest is one of the most popular places in the country for horse riding.
Watersports is the most common activity in our region. We have the Solent which is the most popular sailing area in the UK, Poole Harbour with its shallow waters is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and also along the Bournemouth, Poole and Studland Bay coastline are some of the best sandy beaches in the country.
Places to visit in Lymington
The area between Southampton and Swanage is quite a special area and contains some of the best countryside and coastlines in the UK. All these Places to Visit shown on the map are within reasonable travelling distance from Lymington.
To the east of the map we have the New Forest with a large area of heathland and forest to explore. If you are driving, the Forestry Commission has 134 car parks to start your walk from. Or if you are using public transport, there are two Cycle Hire businesses based along the south side of Brockenhurst station and many miles of well-maintained and signposted trails nearby.
To the south of this we have Lymington, famous for it’s sailing and historic High Street. From Lymington you can catch a ferry to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. People say that the island has the feel of England as it was in the 195Os. A popular destination is to catch a bus from Yarmouth to Freshwater and walk along the coast to Compton Bay. This coastline in the south of the island, is remote, quiet and stunning.
Lymington also has a coastal Nature Reserve that extends for five miles down to the small coastal fishing village of Keyhaven. Next to Keyhaven is a large shingle spit that extends one and a half miles out into the Solent, at the end of which is Hurst Castle originally built in 1544 by Henry XIII.
Farther along the coast where the Rivers Stour and Avon meet is the historic town of Christchurch. Then along the Christchurch, Bournemouth, Poole and Studland Bay coastline are 14 miles of some of the best sandy beaches in the country.
Poole Harbour (west side of the map) is the second biggest harbour in the world and offers plenty of watersports in its shallow waters. Also there are ferry trips from Poole Quay to Brownsea Island, one of the islands in the harbour and run by the National Trust.
Inland from Poole and in the beautiful dorset countryside are the historic market towns of Winborne Minster and Blandford Forum. To the south of Poole is the Isle of Purbeck which has some of the best countryside in the UK, including Arne Nature Reserve and a World Heritage coastline running along from Swanage.
