Blue Cedar guidebook
Sightseeing
Good for sea walks or a Sandy beach swim. You can get a ferry across to Hengistbury head, where there are more fine walks and beaches.
Have some lunch at the Noisy Lobster on Mudeford beach.
57 locals recommend
Mudeford
Good for sea walks or a Sandy beach swim. You can get a ferry across to Hengistbury head, where there are more fine walks and beaches.
Have some lunch at the Noisy Lobster on Mudeford beach.
Lively market selling food and local crafts from 8 am on Saturday morning in Lymington High Street.
9 locals recommend
Lymington Saturday Market
High StreetLively market selling food and local crafts from 8 am on Saturday morning in Lymington High Street.
Step back 50 years as you visit this beautiful, unspoilt island. Plenty of good country walks, attractive beaches and charming towns. Ferries go regularly from Lymington to Yarmouth - either with a car (quite expensive) or on foot or take the bike. Easy to take the train from Brockenhurst stopping at the ferry terminal.
118 locals recommend
Isle of Wight
Step back 50 years as you visit this beautiful, unspoilt island. Plenty of good country walks, attractive beaches and charming towns. Ferries go regularly from Lymington to Yarmouth - either with a car (quite expensive) or on foot or take the bike. Easy to take the train from Brockenhurst stopping at the ferry terminal.
Recommended mainly for access to a lovely quiet beach, down a long flight of stairs. About 18 mins drive from Brockenhurst. [Warning, the car park often full in season. If so you can usually park instead at Highcliffe beach, just down the road. Alternatively, you could take a train to Hinton Admiral and walk for approximately a mile.
112 locals recommend
Highcliffe Castle
Rothesay DriveRecommended mainly for access to a lovely quiet beach, down a long flight of stairs. About 18 mins drive from Brockenhurst. [Warning, the car park often full in season. If so you can usually park instead at Highcliffe beach, just down the road. Alternatively, you could take a train to Hinton Admiral and walk for approximately a mile.
Beautiful sea walks with cliffs and great views across to Bournemouth and beyond. Beautiful beach huts at the end with cafes and sandy beach for a swim. Can take a little train from Carpark or a boat from Mudeford.
264 locals recommend
Hengistbury Head
Beautiful sea walks with cliffs and great views across to Bournemouth and beyond. Beautiful beach huts at the end with cafes and sandy beach for a swim. Can take a little train from Carpark or a boat from Mudeford.
A great day out for the whole family. Go Ape, walks, restaurant
262 locals recommend
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Horton RoadA great day out for the whole family. Go Ape, walks, restaurant
Beautiful 40 min walk along Tall Trees Trail and the arboretum nearby. Ornamental tree drive by car is short but stunning 🤩
7 locals recommend
Blackwater Car Park
Rhinefield Ornamental DriveBeautiful 40 min walk along Tall Trees Trail and the arboretum nearby. Ornamental tree drive by car is short but stunning 🤩
nice walk from Keyhaven / near Milford on Sea along the spit to the castle- there is a regular small ferry boat going back and forth to Keyhaven if you don t fancy the walk
113 locals recommend
Hurst Castle
nice walk from Keyhaven / near Milford on Sea along the spit to the castle- there is a regular small ferry boat going back and forth to Keyhaven if you don t fancy the walk
Beau lieu is a picturesque village. You can go to the Motor museum on a rainy day or with children. Or walk along the river to Buckler’s Hard an 18th century boat builders village with a good pub near bye. You can also rent Kajaks there.
155 locals recommend
Beaulieu
Beau lieu is a picturesque village. You can go to the Motor museum on a rainy day or with children. Or walk along the river to Buckler’s Hard an 18th century boat builders village with a good pub near bye. You can also rent Kajaks there.
Car park on the edge of Lyndhurst towards Ashurst. Lovely walk with nice views. Cafés and Restaurants nearbye
15 locals recommend
Bolton's Bench
B3056Car park on the edge of Lyndhurst towards Ashurst. Lovely walk with nice views. Cafés and Restaurants nearbye
18th century village where Nelson’s fleet was built.
Nice pub next to it or rent a kayak by the Beaulieu river. Combine with a walk along the river to Beaulieu village. Famous Motor museum near bye.
79 locals recommend
Bucklers Hard
18th century village where Nelson’s fleet was built.
Nice pub next to it or rent a kayak by the Beaulieu river. Combine with a walk along the river to Beaulieu village. Famous Motor museum near bye.
Exbury Gardens
Food scene
High quality food, good service, beautiful garden to eat in when weather is fine. A bit pricey but worth it.
Forest Park Country Hotel
Rhinefield RoadHigh quality food, good service, beautiful garden to eat in when weather is fine. A bit pricey but worth it.
Very nice food in a magnificent garden by a river, 10 minutes drive away. Cosy to sit inside as well.
33 locals recommend
Old Mill
Silver StreetVery nice food in a magnificent garden by a river, 10 minutes drive away. Cosy to sit inside as well.
Great location on cliff in Barton on Sea with views of sea, decent food ; traditional
16 locals recommend
Beachcomber Cafe
Great location on cliff in Barton on Sea with views of sea, decent food ; traditional
Worth visiting to have cream tea in the gardens. There is a small swimming pool too for visiting guests to use
13 locals recommend
Rhinefield House Hotel
Rhinefield RoadWorth visiting to have cream tea in the gardens. There is a small swimming pool too for visiting guests to use
Award-winning restaurant in former country home in beautiful location one mile from Brockenhurst. Is often booked up! If you can't get a booking, worth going for a drink and often you can eat in the bar without pre-booking.
147 locals recommend
The Pig
B3055Award-winning restaurant in former country home in beautiful location one mile from Brockenhurst. Is often booked up! If you can't get a booking, worth going for a drink and often you can eat in the bar without pre-booking.
A new favourite of mine in Barton on Sea! This is quite a cool outdoor spot to have a Drink, breakfast , BBQ lunch or dinner with a magnificent view. You step out of the garden, turn right and walk for miles on top of the cliffs towards Highcliffe or along the beach at low tide.
37 locals recommend
The Cliff House
Marine Drive WestA new favourite of mine in Barton on Sea! This is quite a cool outdoor spot to have a Drink, breakfast , BBQ lunch or dinner with a magnificent view. You step out of the garden, turn right and walk for miles on top of the cliffs towards Highcliffe or along the beach at low tide.
Pebble Beach
Marine DriveVery nice Italian food. Great sea view when sitting on the terrace.
Nice cafe / restaurant in Lymington with view to the yacht haven. Great for a late brunch in the sunshine followed by a walk along the sea front.
61 locals recommend
The Haven Bar & Restaurant
King's Saltern RoadNice cafe / restaurant in Lymington with view to the yacht haven. Great for a late brunch in the sunshine followed by a walk along the sea front.
Minutes away on the highstreet...Apart from a little cafe in the village she also runs a tea garden a few minute drive away on the road to Lymington. Good food, nice garden from which you can go for a walk into the beautiful Roiden Words and see Bluebells in April/ May.
10 locals recommend
Rosie Lea's
76 Brookley RdMinutes away on the highstreet...Apart from a little cafe in the village she also runs a tea garden a few minute drive away on the road to Lymington. Good food, nice garden from which you can go for a walk into the beautiful Roiden Words and see Bluebells in April/ May.
This bakery is 2 minutes walk away on the highstreet! Freshly made sandwiches, delicious warm breakfast pasties ( bacon, egg, cheese , sausage ); warm hog roast sandwiches at lunchtime and famous custard doughnuts- yum! Open Monday to Saturday only!
9 locals recommend
The Bakehouse
45 Brookley RdThis bakery is 2 minutes walk away on the highstreet! Freshly made sandwiches, delicious warm breakfast pasties ( bacon, egg, cheese , sausage ); warm hog roast sandwiches at lunchtime and famous custard doughnuts- yum! Open Monday to Saturday only!
Good freshly cooked food in a friendly traditional pub
Great burgers!
10 locals recommend
The Snakecatcher
Lyndhurst RoadGood freshly cooked food in a friendly traditional pub
Great burgers!
This is fancy! But the bathhouse cafe attached to the spa has a nice atmosphere and vegan food, kombucha, smoothies - detox hello!
Nice walks from parking on the way out of lyndhurst towards Ashurst.
67 locals recommend
Lime Wood
Beaulieu RoadThis is fancy! But the bathhouse cafe attached to the spa has a nice atmosphere and vegan food, kombucha, smoothies - detox hello!
Nice walks from parking on the way out of lyndhurst towards Ashurst.
Good seafood right on Mudeford s sandy beach. Make it a day trip and take the ferry near bye to Hangistbury Head peninsular. You feel like your are on a lovely little island with beautiful beach huts and soft Sandy beach.
67 locals recommend
The Noisy Lobster
Good seafood right on Mudeford s sandy beach. Make it a day trip and take the ferry near bye to Hangistbury Head peninsular. You feel like your are on a lovely little island with beautiful beach huts and soft Sandy beach.
My new foody favourite! . This is probably the best pub food you will get around here. Colourful, fresh, imaginative and super tasty !!! The Chef is a passionate local forager. Lovely walled garden to sit outside and very friendly staff. Go for a walk along the sea wall afterwards or drive to nearby pebble swimming beaches.
24 locals recommend
The Gun Inn
Keyhaven RoadMy new foody favourite! . This is probably the best pub food you will get around here. Colourful, fresh, imaginative and super tasty !!! The Chef is a passionate local forager. Lovely walled garden to sit outside and very friendly staff. Go for a walk along the sea wall afterwards or drive to nearby pebble swimming beaches.
Great pub owned by former Dire Straits bassist. Pop round Tanner ‘s Lane secret beach for a quick swim.
22 locals recommend
East End Arms
Great pub owned by former Dire Straits bassist. Pop round Tanner ‘s Lane secret beach for a quick swim.
good Italian food, friendly service, opposite station and a five minute walk from our place.
9 locals recommend
Enzee Brockenhurst Ristorante & Pizzeria
Station Approachgood Italian food, friendly service, opposite station and a five minute walk from our place.
The Fisherman's Rest
All Saints RoadNice restaurant food. Live music Sundays 8 to 10 pm
Very imaginative plant based food and very tasty, too! Reasonably priced.
6 locals recommend
Offbeet New Forest
A35Very imaginative plant based food and very tasty, too! Reasonably priced.
visit with children
Great for a day out with small children. There are bus services going there.
77 locals recommend
Longdown Activity Farm
Deerleap LaneGreat for a day out with small children. There are bus services going there.
Great activity day out with children. You will need a car to get there.
262 locals recommend
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Horton RoadGreat activity day out with children. You will need a car to get there.
our favourite beach nearby, just climb down the wooden steps from the castle parking ( mixed sand and pebble beach)
112 locals recommend
Highcliffe Castle
Rothesay Driveour favourite beach nearby, just climb down the wooden steps from the castle parking ( mixed sand and pebble beach)
Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World
Exbury Gardens
Kayaking and paddle boarding
There are many places to paddlesurf including Beaulieu river and Hordle Cliffs. Here are some suggestions:
Calshot Lagoon – 14.2 miles from Brockenhurst
This is an ideal spot for beginners with a large lagoon, referred to as the back pond, of flat water forming at high tide. In addition, the surrounding buildings keep the area fairly sheltered from high winds. Nomadic Kitesurf have exclusive teaching rights here so are able to keep the area from becoming congested.
Lepe Beach – 12 miles from Brockenhurst
Part of Lepe Country Park with fantastic views over to the Isle of Wight, the waters provide a great spot for SUP at either low tide or high tide when the waters are calm. There is ample parking and a café close by.
Tanners Lane – 8.1 miles from Brockenhurst
Situated between Lymington and Beaulieu this is a beautiful rugged spot west of Lymington. New Forest ponies are able to roam on the beach whilst birds’ nest in the marsh areas. Great for a longer paddle, you can set off heading west around the marshes to Lymington which is approximately 3 miles each way.
Paddle board instructors and providers: The New Forest Paddle Sport Company and Nomadic Kitesurf
Please remember that all these locations are tidal and if you are not a confident paddler, it is best book an experience session or a lesson with a trained instructor to ensure your safety.
Beaulieu River – 8.5 miles from Brockenhurst
The Beaulieu River is a stunning, privately owned estuary which is home to 200 species of birdlife and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Combined with spectacular properties which line the shore Beaulieu River makes for the perfect location for a SUP. The paddle from Bucker’s Hard Marina to Beaulieu is around 6 miles there and back and launch passes can be booked here.
155 locals recommend
Beaulieu
Beaulieu River – 8.5 miles from Brockenhurst
The Beaulieu River is a stunning, privately owned estuary which is home to 200 species of birdlife and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Combined with spectacular properties which line the shore Beaulieu River makes for the perfect location for a SUP. The paddle from Bucker’s Hard Marina to Beaulieu is around 6 miles there and back and launch passes can be booked here.
Lymington and Keyhaven Naturereseve is not only interesting for birdwatchers but also gerat for a walk with a view on one side to the salt marshes with it’s wildlife and on the other side onto the Isle of Whight. Parking at Lower Pennington Lane or The Salterns or at Keyhaven . You can launch a paddle board at Keyhaven
Keyhaven Marshes
Lymington and Keyhaven Naturereseve is not only interesting for birdwatchers but also gerat for a walk with a view on one side to the salt marshes with it’s wildlife and on the other side onto the Isle of Whight. Parking at Lower Pennington Lane or The Salterns or at Keyhaven . You can launch a paddle board at Keyhaven
Wellness
The weather is bad and you fancy a spa day in the Tai ambient Sen Spa? Also has a nice Thai Restaurant!
7 locals recommend
Careys Manor Hotel
The weather is bad and you fancy a spa day in the Tai ambient Sen Spa? Also has a nice Thai Restaurant!
The Retreat New Forest
A35Yoga, holistic treatments and vegan restaurant Offbeet
Come for a treatment next door
Craniosacral Therapy to de-stress and for deep relaxation;
Physiotherapy;
Remedial massages;
Infrared sauna in the garden;
Cold laser treatment; dry cupping therapy
Dasha Andrews Holistic Health
The RiseCome for a treatment next door
Craniosacral Therapy to de-stress and for deep relaxation;
Physiotherapy;
Remedial massages;
Infrared sauna in the garden;
Cold laser treatment; dry cupping therapy
SenSpa
Lyndhurst RoadNeighbourhoods
Lymington Nature Reserve
City advice
Getting around
How to get around the New Forest
Www.newforestliving.co.uk there is a link to the open top tour bus and 3 different routes you can take