Whatever your ability, and however much (or little) time you have, there’ll be a walk for you – and you don’t have to travel miles to start your adventure. Scenic trails, history hikes, nature rambles – Lymington has them all.
Now while the whole of the Solent Way is a 60-mile coastal route, we’re not expecting anyone to take on the whole path. This 10-mile stretch from Lymington to Beaulieu will take you about four to five hours, and takes in Buckler’s Hard and picturesque stretches of the coast, before arriving at the Montagu Arms in Beaulieu for a well-earned drink.
The Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve Walk is a super easy, flat, 5-mile circular walk exploring a unique coastal landscape rich in wildlife, history, and local culture. Along this Lymington circular walk, you’ll encounter gorgeous green vistas and plenty of local wildlife, including native birds, deer and possibly a pony or two. Once you’re done, enjoy a meal or drink at The Gun Inn or the Royal Oak pub, both are near the trail.
A moderately challenging 6-mile walk through lovely farmland, gorgeous forest trails and past the quaint 11th-century St John the Baptist Church in Boldre. Finish your walk with a traditional English meal at the Red Lion Pub to finish off such a fabulous walk.
An easy, 2-mile flat beach in Lymington walks along the sea wall, offering stunning views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Walk past the beautiful Georgian buildings of Lymington and make a pit stop at the cosy Mayflower pub on the harbour for a welcome drink to see you through the rest of this gorgeous walk.
This moderate 7-mile circular trail provides a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscape, flora and fauna of the area. The Chequers Inn on the route is a perfect stop for a pub lunch or a quick pint along this Lymington pub walk.
Lymington has a fair bit of history packed into its network of streets – so much so that it takes three walks to soak it all up! Try these historic walks around Lymington which range from under two miles to just over four miles in length, and last between an hour and two hours. The terrain is pretty good on all three – gravel tracks, country lanes and town paths – and they all start and end at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, where there’s a pretty good cafe for some well-earned refreshments.
You’ll need a decent degree of fitness to walk the Bird area – Eight Acre Pond Loop from Lymington Town; this seven and a half mile trail is a fantastic Lymington circular walk which starts and finishes at the train station. This walk is a great chance to spot herons, curlews and other local wildlife, as you pass Eight Acre Pond, Salterns Sailing Club, Lymington Nature Reserve and Lymington Sea Pool.
If you want something a little easier, how about this three-mile walk around the picturesque Quay area, which starts and ends at the bus station, taking in the Sea Baths, Lifeboat Station, recreation area at Bath Road and Lymington High Street.
Our final suggestion (but there are countless more ideas to explore) is a loop from Lymington town to the Isle of Wight Ferry Terminal. It’s just over seven miles long and is a medium difficulty trail. It starts and ends at the train station, and takes in part of the coastal path – but of course, you can always end the walk at the ferry terminal and head over to the Isle of Wight for the day instead! If you want to do some walking over there, that’s another guide…
Once you’ve enjoyed all the gorgeous walks available in Lymington, you’ll want somewhere cosy and comfortable to settle in for the night. The gorgeous New Forest Collection can be found nearby with several hotels dotted across the New Forest National Park. Each hotel offers a unique charm and character, providing the perfect location to rest, relax and enjoy the beauty of the New Forest.
The hotels that are part of the New Forest Collection include the charming Georgian townhouse, Forest Lodge, the quaint and comfortable Beaulieu Inn, the cosy Bartley Lodge set amongst 8 gorgeous acres, and the grand Baronial estate, Burley Manor. Within each hotel, you’ll find beautiful rooms, helpful staff and the charm of the New Forest, with sights of the free-roaming ponies outside the windows should you be lucky enough!
Within the hotels, or right on their doorstep, you’ll also have access to delicious restaurants, perfect for grabbing a piping hot, locally sourced meal without travelling too far. Reward yourself after finishing one of the Lymington circular walks, or make your own Lymington pub walk, finishing off at Beaulieu Inn’s The Drift country pub for a cold pint and a hot, hearty meal. Each hotel has its own onsite restaurant or bar, providing fabulous food for all. Whether you’re fueling up for one of the best things to do in Lymington: walking, or returning home ready for some delicious grub and a rest, you’ll find it at the New Forest Collection.
Lymington Beaches, Lymington Cycle Hire, Lymington Cycle Routes, Lymington Fishing, Lymington Golf, Lymington Shopping, Lymington Taxis, Lymington Things To Do, Lymington Wedding Venues, Lymington Hotels, Lymington Afternoon Tea, Lymington Breakfast, Lymington Pubs, Lymington Lunch
Sign up for the latest news, events and best rates
