Nicky's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Lymington is a stunning quaint town, steeped in nautical history. It is also rumoured to be Princess Anne’s favourite town. There’s a great street market on a Saturday selling all sorts of local produce. Visit the cobbles for some local, independent shops and cafes. You can take a boat-trip from the quay, out to the needles or mackerel fishing. Well worth a visit!
224 locals recommend
Lymington
Lymington is a stunning quaint town, steeped in nautical history. It is also rumoured to be Princess Anne’s favourite town. There’s a great street market on a Saturday selling all sorts of local produce. Visit the cobbles for some local, independent shops and cafes. You can take a boat-trip from the quay, out to the needles or mackerel fishing. Well worth a visit!
Absolutely beautiful little town, steeped in history. Head towards the quay and wander along the river and streams.
Pop into the priory to see it magnificent structure and history. Grab a coffee/ milkshake from Ducking Stool cafe… situated next to a ducking stool!
There’s a Monday Market which is usually quite vibrant. Lots of great eating spots. Well worth a visit.
198 locals recommend
Christchurch
Absolutely beautiful little town, steeped in history. Head towards the quay and wander along the river and streams.
Pop into the priory to see it magnificent structure and history. Grab a coffee/ milkshake from Ducking Stool cafe… situated next to a ducking stool!
There’s a Monday Market which is usually quite vibrant. Lots of great eating spots. Well worth a visit.
See where Mr Selfridge used to live. Take a tour of the castle, then finish up with a delicious cream tea in the castle tea-rooms. From here take a walk down the zig-zag to the beach, or along the cliff top through Steamer Point nature reserve.
112 locals recommend
Highcliffe Castle
Rothesay DriveSee where Mr Selfridge used to live. Take a tour of the castle, then finish up with a delicious cream tea in the castle tea-rooms. From here take a walk down the zig-zag to the beach, or along the cliff top through Steamer Point nature reserve.
Go crabbing from the quay, crab lines and nets can be bought from the fish-shop on the quay. Mudeford is still very much a working quay. Sit in the comfort of your car in the car park and watch the boats going in and out of the run into the harbour. In the evening, sundowners at the back of the Haven pub are a must!
See where the flags are flying? take a ferry across to the sand spit for a walk alongside the beach-huts towards, and over Hengistbury Head. A locals absolute favourite place and great for dog-walking.
95 locals recommend
Mudeford Quay
Mudeford QuayGo crabbing from the quay, crab lines and nets can be bought from the fish-shop on the quay. Mudeford is still very much a working quay. Sit in the comfort of your car in the car park and watch the boats going in and out of the run into the harbour. In the evening, sundowners at the back of the Haven pub are a must!
See where the flags are flying? take a ferry across to the sand spit for a walk alongside the beach-huts towards, and over Hengistbury Head. A locals absolute favourite place and great for dog-walking.
Well worth a visit, especially if you are an English Heritage member. You can walk along the spit to the castle. Alternatively there is a little ferry operating (not year round).
113 locals recommend
Hurst Castle
Well worth a visit, especially if you are an English Heritage member. You can walk along the spit to the castle. Alternatively there is a little ferry operating (not year round).
A quaint village to visit and see New Forest Ponies, you can hire bikes from here to explore the New Forest. The White Buck is a good pub to visit here.
73 locals recommend
Burley
A quaint village to visit and see New Forest Ponies, you can hire bikes from here to explore the New Forest. The White Buck is a good pub to visit here.
Just along from Mudeford Quay, head along to Avon Beach. Very much a locals beach, with all the facilities required for a great day. Also here is the Noisy Lobster restaurant which is highly recommended.
64 locals recommend
Avon Beach
Just along from Mudeford Quay, head along to Avon Beach. Very much a locals beach, with all the facilities required for a great day. Also here is the Noisy Lobster restaurant which is highly recommended.
Beaulieu Motor Museum. If you like cars and, or historical houses, this is a great place to visit, at a reasonable price too.
155 locals recommend
Beaulieu
Beaulieu Motor Museum. If you like cars and, or historical houses, this is a great place to visit, at a reasonable price too.
Absolutely stunning spot in the New Forest, great for a fabulous walk and picnic. Lots of New Forest ponies wandering around along with a few cows. Our current favourite for a stunning walk alongside picturesque streams. Top tip, in the Summer take water-shoes to paddle in the stream, and maybe spare shoes in case you fall off a log or rope-swing!
Ober Corner Car park
Absolutely stunning spot in the New Forest, great for a fabulous walk and picnic. Lots of New Forest ponies wandering around along with a few cows. Our current favourite for a stunning walk alongside picturesque streams. Top tip, in the Summer take water-shoes to paddle in the stream, and maybe spare shoes in case you fall off a log or rope-swing!
Food scene
Great G & T’s in the garden overlooking the sea. During the Summer outdoor eating and BBQ’s. Great staff, nice vibe. The fish dishes are recommended.
37 locals recommend
The Cliff House
Marine Drive WestGreat G & T’s in the garden overlooking the sea. During the Summer outdoor eating and BBQ’s. Great staff, nice vibe. The fish dishes are recommended.
Pop downstairs to Pebble Beach for a special dinner. Or to the new Pizza & More for a take-away!
30 locals recommend
Pebble Beach
Marine DrivePop downstairs to Pebble Beach for a special dinner. Or to the new Pizza & More for a take-away!
Pop into Bijou, see Keith and Helen for that perfect caffeine hit! Great sandwiches and cakes.
Bijou Coffee House
Marine DrivePop into Bijou, see Keith and Helen for that perfect caffeine hit! Great sandwiches and cakes.
The Oaks
189 Lymington RdNewly opened, Raymond Blanc pub, the food here is delicious.
The House Martin
Christchurch RoadMy favourite place for breakfast! Lovely, kind owners and staff and good honest food. On a blustery day, breakfast here will certainly blow away the cobwebs.
23 locals recommend
The Beach Hut Cafe
7 Cliff DrMy favourite place for breakfast! Lovely, kind owners and staff and good honest food. On a blustery day, breakfast here will certainly blow away the cobwebs.
Great place for food with a view! Delicious food, great staff, excellent location.
67 locals recommend
The Noisy Lobster
Great place for food with a view! Delicious food, great staff, excellent location.
Newly refurbished pub with a great reputation. Lovely outdoor space and a great finish point after a walk around Keyhaven.
24 locals recommend
The Gun Inn
Keyhaven RoadNewly refurbished pub with a great reputation. Lovely outdoor space and a great finish point after a walk around Keyhaven.
The White Buck
Bisterne CloseBeachcomber Cafe
James Martin’s new restaurant at the Chewton Glen. Delicious food. Also a cooking school with many celebrity chefs tutoring courses.
10 locals recommend
The Kitchen, Chewton Glen
Christchurch RoadJames Martin’s new restaurant at the Chewton Glen. Delicious food. Also a cooking school with many celebrity chefs tutoring courses.
Activities
Mudeford Harbour is pretty shallow, so a great place to learn water sports. Hire a paddle board or kayak or take a lesson from the guys there. Great fun.
14 locals recommend
ShoreSports
Mudeford Harbour is pretty shallow, so a great place to learn water sports. Hire a paddle board or kayak or take a lesson from the guys there. Great fun.
Great fun! From here you can hire boats that fit up to 8 people. Navigate up river, really good fun £30/ hr or £20 for 30 minutes. Go for the hour (unless it’s raining!).
12 locals recommend
Quay Leisure
Christchurch QuayGreat fun! From here you can hire boats that fit up to 8 people. Navigate up river, really good fun £30/ hr or £20 for 30 minutes. Go for the hour (unless it’s raining!).
Cyclexperience Bicycle Hire
Essentials
Lidl
49 Lymington RdTesco Express
Lymington RoadTesco Superstore
Caird AvenueNot quite sure how much 'farm' is in this farm shop, but the produce is very fresh and it's super popular with the locals.
7 locals recommend
Ferndene Farm Shop
2 Bashley Cross RdNot quite sure how much 'farm' is in this farm shop, but the produce is very fresh and it's super popular with the locals.
& New Forest fish & shellfish
If you want local fish straight from the boat, head here. You’ll see ‘Dad’ Scott out on his little boat ‘Poppy’… he fishes sometimes right in front of the apartment. From there it goes to son Bart to sell in his very popular fish shop. Next door - Danestream Farm is also a great, local butcher, they all sell bread, fruit and vegetables.
6 locals recommend
Danestream Farm Shop
Sway Road& New Forest fish & shellfish
If you want local fish straight from the boat, head here. You’ll see ‘Dad’ Scott out on his little boat ‘Poppy’… he fishes sometimes right in front of the apartment. From there it goes to son Bart to sell in his very popular fish shop. Next door - Danestream Farm is also a great, local butcher, they all sell bread, fruit and vegetables.