Lymington and its surrounding area provides an abundance of things to see and do.
The charming market town is home to many independent shops, boutiques and galleries, complemented by some well-known stores. Beyond the High Street, Lymington is a wonderful place to explore the outdoors with a range of activities on offer including cycling, horse-riding, fishing, bird-watching and enjoying the New Forest National Park and miles of beaches towards Milford-on-Sea and beyond.
Shopping
Lymington is packed with a variety of independent shops, boutiques and galleries, plenty of cafés and bakeries, banks, a post office and library, and three supermarkets - Waitrose, Tesco and M&S Food, while every Saturday the High Street hosts a lively street market with traders coming from all over the forest to sell locally grown produce, baked goods, clothes, handcrafted jewellery and lots more. The town centre is an easy 10 minute walk from the marina.
Eating & Drinking
You can enjoy the popular Haven Bar & Restaurant right here on-site, overlooking the marina. And there's an abundance of great pubs and restaurants to enjoy within easy walking distance. Take a look at some of our favourite places to go or ask at the marina office for recommendations.
Explore on foot or by bike
The marina has direct access to the coastal footpath running through the Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve offering a superb walk along the foreshore to Keyhaven (approximately an hour and a half walk) and Hurst Point where the Solent rushes in and out. And we're fortunate to be on the edge of the spectacular New Forest National Park made up of heathland, coastal marshes, mudflats and lawns where the ponies and donkeys, cattle, pigs and deer roam free.
Learn more about the Lymington Nature Reserve
Cycling / Bike Hire
The local New Forest and Solent areas offer some of the best cycling routes, with over 100 miles of approved cycle trails. Whether you're looking for a leisurely day out with the family or to push yourself physically, there are plenty of different routes to explore, from coastal paths with sea views to car-free gravel tracks through the forest!
We’ve partnered up with New Forest Bikes. They are local to us and come highly recommended with a large range of bikes available to hire.
The New Forest National Park
Free-roaming animals, open moors, historic woodlands and ancient landmarks. The historic national park spans over 70,000 acres with much of it accessible through footpaths and cycling trails. Some notable New Forest highlights include:
- The scenic and historic shores of Beaulieu & Bucklers Hard
- The famous Rufus Stone marking the site of the demise of William II
- Knightwood Oak, aka the 'Queen of the forest', still standing after 500 years
- Museums such as the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or St Barbe Museum in Lymington.
- Spectacular gardens at Exbury and Furzey
Get active
Relaxing with a good book might be the perfect way to spend the afternoon for some, but others may prefer to get active, so here are some great suggestions close to Lymington:
- Lymington Sea Water Baths provide open air swimming next to the Yacht Haven.
- For a more leisurely swim in an indoor heated pool, head to the Leisure Centre or Elmers Court nearby. Or check our recommendations for the best places to go for ultimate relaxation in the New Forest.
- Horse riding adventures, for all ages and abilities, are available in Burley and Brockenhurst.
- Tennis courts can be found at Woodside Gardens, just five minutes walk away.
- Mini Golf and a tranquil 9 hole course can be found at Walhampton Golf Course on the edge of Lymington, with many other courses within close reach.
Relax & unwind
Here, we showcase some of the best places that you can visit in the New Forest for perfect relaxation...
Enjoy laid-back luxury at Lime Wood country-house hotel, located in the heart of the New Forest, including swimming pool, hydrotherapy and steam pools, a mud house, state of the art gym and the excellent Herb House Spa.
Chewton Glen Hotel boasts an ozone-treated indoor pool surrounded by Grecian columns, heated outdoor pool in the garden and an award-winning spa with hydrotherapy pool, aromatherapy saunas and crystal steam rooms. Golf course, tennis courts and gym.
Family-friendly New Park Manor may be small but it’s big on facilities. The spa includes a swimming pool, thermal rooms, a foot spa, 'experience' shower and outdoor hot tub, plus a range of treatments on offer.
Enjoy some 'me time' at Rhinefield House in Brockenhurst. There's heaps to do here: croquet and giant dominoes on the lawn, a fun Hornbeam maze, heated indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, and a health club with treatment rooms, gym, pool and sauna.
Within walking distance of the marina, you can treat yourself at Elmers Court with its indoor and outdoor swimming pools and long menu of spa treatments, or arrange a treatment onboard your boat with Mind Body and Massage.
Something different
On a warm summer's day, Goodalls pick your own strawberries is great fun and the farm shop sells amazing fresh Jam!
If you're eager to get crafty and learn a new skill, why not turn your hand to throwing a pot at the charming Vinegar Hill Pottery.
Lymington Malt Cinema run weekly screenings and you can find large multiplex cinemas in Southampton and Bournemouth.
Lymington Library is a cozy place to visit to grab a book for a wet and windy afternoon.
Need more inspiration or some advice?
Just speak to our friendly Haven Team. We all live locally to Lymington and we'd be happy to share our insight, favourite locations and top tips so just call us on 01590 677071.