Holiday rentals in Lymington

Flowing up from the harbour, posh Lymington, with its twin marinas, is as holiday-ready as just about any place in England. Sea-swimming, boating, and ferry rides over the Solent to the Isle of Wight are part of everyday life here. A smattering of new-generation coffee shops and bake houses on the attractive sloping Georgian high street cater to all your sourdough and flat white needs, and it would be wrong to not have at least one portion of fish and chips while you’re here. In the sea-salty air, pleasures range from crabbing off the cobbled quayside to following footpaths to other glorious seaside spots. Then there’s the gorgeous New Forest National Park, a wonderland of nature and preening villages, which stretches from the coast to the north and west.

Everyone wants to stay in a holiday cottage in Lymington during summer, when dips in the sea are a delight rather than a test of endurance and the nearby beaches are at their sunbathing and sandcastle-building best. If that’s not the plan, don’t fear: Coastal walks are invigorating no matter the season, and in bad weather you can escape into the less-exposed New Forest, which is full of cosy pubs. Lymington Seafood Festival in July is the event of the year, with live bands, and food vendors showcasing their mussels and molluscs. Popular, too, are various summer sailing regattas. Alternatively, line up your trip with events on the Isle of Wight, such as the Isle of Wight Festival in September, usually featuring loads of top bands and DJs.

Sea Wall walks

Follow the sea wall paths west to Keyhaven Nature Reserve, an area of salt marshes and mudflats with several lagoons where saltwater was collected to manufacture salt from the Middle Ages until the early 19th century. Now the marshes support wildlife species: you might encounter migrant wildfowl and wading birds at different times of year. Carry on further around the coast to reach Hurst Castle, on a shingle spit, and the lovely beach of Milford-on-Sea, a coastal town with top-notch fish restaurants.

The Sea Water Baths

Britain’s oldest open-air seawater baths date back to 1833 when they were enjoyed for their health-boosting effects, and were wildly popular in their 1930s heyday. Modern additions at these purpose-built stone swimming pools include paddle boarding, hot tubs, and a floating inflatable obstacle course.

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery

Exhibitions change every eight weeks at this varied gallery, with collections representing life on this strip of the South Coast and Lymington’s history as a trading port, smugglers’ hideout, and producer of salt and boats.