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Top 5 Local Beaches

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new forest holiday cottages in milford on sea

Milford Beach

Approximately half a mile from the centre of Milford.
Pebbles normally dominate Milford beach but at low tide the sand appears. Go onto the cliff top and park in the second car park (opposite Camden Hurst flats) and head on down to the beach. Often there is a sand bar 20-30 yards off shore – easy to swim to and at times it dries out completely.
Refreshments: Car park kiosk selling ice creams, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

new forest holiday cottages in milford on sea

Mudeford and Hengistbury Head

Approximately 8 miles from Milford.
Drive to Mudeford and follow the signs for car parks and quay. To the left is Mudeford Beach and to the right take the small ferry (5 minutes) to Hengistbury Head. This is a traffic free area which has a good sandy beach. Here, are some of the most expensive beach huts in England.
Refreshments: Car park kiosk selling ice creams, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

new forest holiday cottages in milford on sea

Boscombe

Approximately 13 miles from Milford.
Drive to New Milton, Barton, Christchurch and then follow signs to Boscombe. A popular family beach with plenty of sand. Small pier and home to England’s first articial surfing reef, which sadly proved not be a great success. Plenty of parking and safe under cliff drive (traffic free) for cycling and scooters. Children’s play area.
Refreshments: Several seafront restaurants, cafes and shops.

new forest holiday cottages in milford on sea

Bournemouth

Approximately 20 miles from Milford.
One of England’s top resorts – it’s busy, it’s brash and it’s traditional. Lot’s to do and see. Plenty of sand and when you are bored with the beach take a stroll down the pier.

Studland Beach

Approximately 30 miles from Milford.
Drive to Poole and then take the ‘chain ferry’ to Studland Beach. On the way you will drive through Sandbanks which reportedly has the most expensive coastal real estate in England. Note: during summer school holidays there could well be a 30 minute wait for the ferry. Having driven this far you might like to combine a trip with a visit to Corfe Castle.

A glorious slice of natural coastline in Purbeck featuring a four-mile stretch of golden, sandy beach, with gently shelving bathing waters and views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight. Ideal for water sports whilst the heathland behind the beach is a haven for native wildlife and features all six British reptiles. Designated trails through the sand dunes and woodlands, allow for exploration and spotting of deer, insects and bird life as well as a wealth of wild flowers.  Refreshments: There is a local café/bistro and a mobile refreshment van. However, if the weather is good take a picnic!

Local Walks

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walks

Whether an ardent hiker, professional stroller or sun shine only walker you are spoilt for choice in this area. There are no high hills or tall headlands thus most walking is relatively easy.

New Forest National Park

The New Forest is where you can explore heathland, ancient woodland, wetlands and grassy plains. One of the special qualities of this distinct area is the freedom to ramble across unenclosed land – thus the choice of walks is enormous and rather difficult to give specific instructions. However, what we can try to do is point you towards specific areas that we feel are worth visiting. Just note from April to July some car parks may be closed to limit disturbance to ground breeding birds.

King’s Hat Car Park on North Lane

Park the car and take the main trail that leads across a small bridge, follow the path until it opens up into a large open area. You can now go straight on or turn right – this is a large area just waiting to be explored!

Burley – Lyndhurst Road

Park the car in one of the three car parks along this road just outside Burley. There is a good cycling track on then north side of the road. We often park at Lucy Hill car park and then walk southwards – you eventually meet a delightful stream – Mill Lawn Brook with plenty of pleasant picnic spots.

Holmesley Road

Park almost anywhere here and enjoy woodland and open hearth walks.

Wilverley Plain

Park right at the end of the car park and then head in a north west direction along the edge of the wood. When you see another wood on the right follow the tracks along the edge of this wood – you can then decide how far you wish to walk and the circuit to take.

Coastal Walks

Here we can be a little more specific – there is a copy of these walks in Mulberry Barn.

Keyhaven round walk

About an hour maybe a little bit more. Either walk from the house or use  the car park on Sea Road (Milford-on-sea) by the Needles Eye Café. Head towards Hurst Castle with your back to the Café along the shingle bank. On your left is Sturt Pond – take the second bridge over the stream and carry straight on along New Lane until you reach the flood barrier gates. On your right are wooden gates – go through this and continue along the sea wall – you are now in Keyhaven. Follow the path past the Ferry jetty, turn right in front of the Keyhaven Yacht Club, past the boat launching area and round to your left until you hit a small road. Turn left and then after a few yards is the Milford – Keyhaven road. Turn left and on your right is The Gun Inn – time for some refreshment! To return go back the way you came – but first explore Keyhaven a bit more!

Keyhaven and Hurst Castle walk

Round trip is about two hours. (Depends on how long you stay at Hurst Castle). If a nice day strongly recommend taking a picnic. Walk from the house or use the car park on Sea Road (Milford-on-sea) by the Needles Eye Café. Head towards Hurst Castle with your back to the Café along the shingle bank. On your left is The Lighthouse restaurant – a great place to stop for your coffee and other refreshments.

Keep walking either on the top of the shingle bank – or to the left of it where it may be more sheltered. After about 30 minutes (mile and a half) you will reach Hurst Castle which is open to visitors – it also has a quite good little café with a limited selection – but the coffee is good! Hurst Castle was the perfect location to defend the western approach to the Solent. The castle was built by Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortresses and was completed in 1544. Charles I was imprisoned here in 1648 before being taken to London to his trial and execution. After you have explored Hurst Castle – and it is worth looking at the sea ward side towards the Isle of Wright – you can either walk back and retrace your steps or take the ferry back to Keyhaven. The ferry leaves from in front of the castle entrance and goes at least every 30 minutes during the summer and winter weekends. (There should be a ferry leaflet amongst the brochures and flyers.) Once back at Keyhaven you can either take the direct route to Milford along the road, or go back along the sea wall, shingle bank and thence the car park. Please note due to coastal erosion in 2021 part of the castle’s outer wall collapsed – repairs are on-going but double check that the castle is open before setting out..

Keyhaven / Pennington / Chequers Pub walk

This is a great walk across fields, through Keyhaven marches/bird reserve,  with Solent views and ends at a typical country pub! It takes about two hours altogether. Park your car in the Keyhaven car park and follow the narrow road along the left hand side of Keyhaven over the bridge and sluice gates. The start of the walk is at the end of the sea wall on the right and through the wooden gate.

Follow the coast path through Keyhaven marshes for the next two miles as the track meanders alongside the sea wall. Keep walking for about 40 minutes!! Eventually you walk back on yourselves to a man made canal and lock gates. Follow the track on the side you are on (south side) – do not cross the lock gates. Follow path down alongside the canal and then by a field side path until you meet the road. Turn right and 200 yards on the left is the Chequers Pub. Garlic prawns with cheese on a baguette is our favourite! The return – this is a shorter return trip – turn right on leaving the pub, go past the path you came in on and follow the road round the right hand bend and then on until you reach a small cluster of houses. The road ends but straight ahead is a lane, go down the lane with some ponds on the right and turn left when you come to a road. Follow this road until the cars can go no further, and go straight ahead through the gate – follow this gravel road (Ancient Highway) back to Keyhaven, across the bridge with the sluice gates and to the car park.

Normandy Lane / Lymington Sea Wall

Allow about an hour and a half. Park your car in Lymington on Normandy Lane by Eight Acre Pond. Directly in front of you is a path leading to the sea wall along a small stream. Follow this and when you reach the sea wall turn left and keep following the sea wall round until you reach the Marina. Enjoy the great views of the Solent, sailing boats and sea birds. Walk through the Marina following the pedestrian signs to Lymington sea water baths and the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. Turn left and then take the left hand fork until you are in front of the Marina entrance – in front of you is a small track through a reed bed, take this until you reach a road (Normandy Lane) turn left and 10-15 minutes later you be back at your car. Refreshment points are either the Haven (great views) in the Marina or the Mayflower Pub by the yacht club

The Solent Way. This mainly coastal path begins in Milford-on-sea with stunning views of the Needles on the Isle of Wight in the distance. The path initially takes you on the sea front and then follows the coast through pleasant countryside round to the lovely port of Lymington. From Lymington the Solent Way crosses the Lymington River then continues a mile or so inland, giving occasional glimpses to the busy Solent to the east. Soon the path enters the New Forest passing Sowley Pond on the left walking on the quiet road for a little while to beautiful Bucklers Hard on the River Beaulieu. From Bucklers Hard the path follows the edge of the river to Beaulieu. www.solentway.co.uk

New Forest Pubs & Restaurants

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new forest holiday cottages in milford on sea

To us, an important element of any holiday is going out and discovering interesting places to enjoy a drink or a good meal. Fortunately, over the last few years Milford on sea restaurants have become a bit of a ‘foodie’ destination. There are in fact no less than seven restaurants – all owner run, three pubs, a wine bar, a real ale bar, a fish and chip shop, a traditional beach cafe and three coffee places all within a 5-10 minute walk of Mulberry Barn.

All the following views are our personal experiences, and there are many other worthy places to visit and we suggest buying the local newspaper ‘Lymington Times’ for all the nearby restaurant promotions and advertisements. We do recommend booking particularly Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday lunch.

Whilst you are in the area watch out for products that carry the The New Forest ‘Marque’ logo. Buying a Marque® product means you are getting authentic New Forest fare of the highest quality and you are also helping to support the traditional country ways in this unique and special landscape. So enjoy mouth watering cakes, traditional hearty pies, carefully-reared meat, locally-caught seafood and traditional New Forest crafts – you will find all this and more under the banner of the New Forest Marque. Further information: www.newforestproducts.com

Milford-on-sea restaurants

Please note that some of Milford’s restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays and during the winter some on Tuesdays as well.

Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant.  A contemporary dining venue with a very strong fish bias which sources much of their produce from local suppliers. Small, fun and imaginatively served food. Winner of several Hampshire Magazine awards, inclusion in the Micheline Guide and Harden’s restaurant guide over the years. ’The owner also run a traditional fishmonger (same address) should you wish to cook your own fish dinner! 01590 642176 or www.verveine.co.uk

La Perle. An intimate restaurant in the centre of the village. Smallish menu but each dish is beautifully prepared. Consistently serves excellent food at modest prices. Tel: 01590 643557. www.laperle.co.uk

Rays Italian Kitchen. Located in the heart of the village and run by local restaurateur, Stacey Crouch. The restaurant offers carefully selected dishes, big on flavour and taste and the option of a ‘Small Plate’ grazing menu for sharing. Going back to her roots, Stacey can be found in the kitchen, ensuring that the quality of food is of the highest standard. Ray’s Italian Kitchen with its vibrant atmosphere is proving to be a ‘must eat place’ among locals and visitors. 01590 645300.  http://www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk/

The Lighthouse Restaurant. Located at the start of the shingle bank to Hurst Castle over looking the sea front in an art deco style building. Very relaxed and informal atmosphere where families are very welcome. Plenty of outside seating for those sunny days. Also open for breakfast and coffees.  Tel: 01590 718040. www.thelighthousemilford.co.uk 

Monsorri Heights is the village Indian restaurant. Not too large, friendly and with a good variety of dishes. Reservations or take-away 01590 643084. www.zaikanewforest.co.uk

Thai Britannic has a menu in line with its name. Large menu with something for everyone. Efficient service. Our ‘go to place’ for takeaway. Reservations or take away 01590 642226.

South Lawn Hotel. A little further to walk to but their Cedar Restaurant has been getting some excellent reviews recently. Nice terrace for summer dining and afternoon teas. 01590 643911 or www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

Needles Eye Beach Café. Open from 9am to 6pm this inexpensive family run café is a great place for an English breakfast, a cup of coffee or a lunch time snack. We often walk down there on a sunny evening to enjoy a New Forest ice cream and watch the sun go down.

Milford-on-sea take aways

Mr Pink is the village fish and chip shop. The queues outside his shop are a testimony to how popular and good his fish dinners are! Closed Mondays

Monsorri Heights and Thai Britannic all do take-ways as already mentioned.

Milford-on-sea bars

The Cave. Open 6 days a week (closed Monday’s) this contemporary style wine bar is open from midday till late. Morning coffee and cakes, world wines by the glass and a fine selection of premium English ales and a tasty nibbles menu. Plus a fine selection of gins. Off license as well. A great place to start or end your day!  01590 642195 or www.thecavemos.co.uk

The Wash House – housed in the former village launderette this cosy bar is small and friendly with a great selection of real ales.

Milford-on-sea pubs

The Smugglers. A family orientated pub with a large play ground in the garden. Excellent pub food. 01590 644414

The Lazy Lion. Formally the Red Lion. New owner mid 2019 and under went a needed refurbishment. Much emphasis now on food. Popular for Sunday lunch and if you have a family (or just want to sit outside) they have a good beer garden that gets the evening sun. 01590 642391

The Beach Hut. Operated by Hall and Woodhouse of Badger Ale fame so they have some great beers!. It has a great setting, close to the cliff edge and overlooking the Needles. Large and interesting pub menu very reasonably priced. 01590 643044.. www.beachhousemilfordonsea.co.uk

Milford-on-sea coffee places

Hurst on the Green – just a 2-3 minute stroll and serves some great coffee backed up by an interesting range of light food, sandwiches and snacks. Great place to get your gourmet picnic.

Polly’s Pantry a traditional village tea room does a good selection of coffees, light meals and ice creams.

Sea Salt. Good coffee and an interesting selection of snacks.

Restaurants – further a field

Again spoilt for choice – there are a number of excellent restaurants nearby – here is a selection:

Pebble Beach at Barton is a fine dining contemporary designed restaurant with good views over Christchurch bay, an outside terrace and a good reputation. Well worth a visit even if just for a light lunch. (01425 627777)

Gordleton Mill in Hordle has a good local reputation for excellent, consistently good food as well as a lovely setting by the side of a stream. It has a restaurant, a bar area and a large outdoor terrace which is an ideal lunch or evening drink venue on a warm summer day. (01590 683073)

The Jetty in Mudeford is managed by local celebrity chef Alex Aitkens. A restaurant and bar so you can just relax with a bottle of wine or enjoy a meal from their good but unpretentious menu whilst enjoying great views over Mudeford Quay. (01202 400950)

Christchurch Harbour Hotel – The Upper Deck. Another great place for sundowners overlooking Mudeford harbour. 01202 483434

Chewton Glen Hotel, New Milton, the quintessential 5 star luxury English country house hotel that has won countless awards over the years is just five miles away. For sheer indulgence and relaxation try a Spa Day. Fine but expensive dining. To experience this style of living on a budget have a drink on their terrace on a fine summer’s evening. www.chewtonglen.com. or call 10425 275341

Lime Wood a 5 star boutique hotel in heart of the New Forest. (Lyndhurst). The restaurant ‘Hartner Holder & Co’ is relaxed, stylish and comfortable with an emphasis on Italian food using local produce. Has a very reasonable priced two course lunch menu. Superb reputation so book early! www.limewoodhotel.co.uk. or call 02380 2867177.

The Pig the little sister hotel to Lime Wood but with more attitude. More of a restaurant with rooms in nearby Brockenhurst. Check out the web site as they also take their cooking pretty seriously. www.thepig.co.uk or call 01590 622354.

The Haven – Lymington Yacht haven and marina. On the first floor overlooking Lymington river and marina. Plenty of river activity and yachts to admire (and buy!) Nice friendly restaurant with good rather than gourmet food. One of our favourites – ask for a window table. Open for coffees and drinks as well. www.havenrestaurant.co.uk  01590 679917

Pubs – further a field

The Crown (01590 642655) at Everton to our mind serves the best Pub Food around these parts and this is our first choice for pub food. Yes – you pay a bit more – but we still go back!

The Gun (01590 642391) in Keyhaven is a great place to stop for a break whilst out walking. A pub with lots of character that under went a major refurbishment in 2021 and has an interesting, if a little expensive, menu.

The Ship (01590 676903) on the quay in Lymington is a delightful place for an evening drink.

The Chequers (01590 673415) At Lymington is another traditional pub that caters for the ‘yachties’ Plenty of garden area and if you are feeling energetic it is a great walk from Milford via Keyhaven and the sea wall to Lymington. (Approx 2 hour walk). The return journey length depends on the sort of lunch you had!

The Oak Inn (02380 282350) at Bank (just west of Lyndhurst) is a favourite of ours as close to some good forest walks. The food is excellent.

The Hare and Hounds (01590 682404) in Sway has always been a popular local pub with reasonable food.

East End Arms in East End (01590 626223) is owned by the bass guitarist of Dire Straits – see the many pop icon photos on the walls. Tucked away this pub food serves great food and well kept Ringwood Best. Reserve a table to avoid disappointment! (Drive past the Lymington ferry and keep going until you pass the pub on your right)

Activities for kids

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Exbury Steam train - a must for the youngsters

Paulton’s Park and Peppa Pig World

This has to be one of the biggest local attractions with over 60 rides and an amazing 4D cinema. Paulton’s has a wide variety of children’s rides, family rides and thrill rides to enjoy  – regularly voted the UK’s No 1 Theme Park. About 25 minutes pleasant drive through the forest. www.paultonspark.co.uk

Longdown Activity Farm

Small children can bottle feed the kid goats, feed the ducks, meet the pigs and cuddle baby rabbits, chicks and even maybe a piglet. Plenty of other activities as well and good picnic area. About 25 minutes drive away. www.longdownfarm.co.uk

Moors Valley Country Park

A favourite with our grandchildren – there are walking, play, tree top and cycling trails, Forest Segway rides, play areas, a model steam railway, and a ‘go ape experience’ with zip wires. Just off the A31 past Ringwood – about an hour’s drive. www.moors-valley.co.uk

Hurst Castle

A great day out! Start at Keyhaven (5 minutes drive) and take the small ferry down Keyhaven river to Hurst Castle (English Heritage) – this takes about 20 minutes. The ferry stops directly in front of the castle entrance. The castle was originally built by Henry V111 and continued in defence of the realm right up to 1950. There is plenty to see inside and there is a good small café, toilet facilities etc. If the weather is fine take a picnic – plenty of grassy areas. Due to coastal erosion part of the outer castle wall collapsed in 2021 – if planning a visit please check that the castle is open.  www.hurstcastle.co.uk

Crabbing

Fun and easy on the pocket! If you are staying in Mulberry Barn nets and buckets are in the garage. Our favourite place is down at Keyhaven on the ‘hard’ dock area where the fishing boats off load and the lobster pots are kept. Crab off the left hand side behind the pots – here you are of the way – and just drop your line in with a piece of bacon and haul them up!

Bournemouth Oceanarium

Perhaps best to keep this for rainy days. About an hour’s drive and right on the sea front. Several different areas depicting fish from the Amazon, Great Barrier Reef, Key West etc. Also a virtual interactive dive cage. Easy to combine with a look around the town and a walk on the famous pier. www.oceanarium.co.uk

New Forest Adventure Golf

An eighteen hole adventure golf course is fun and beautifully landscaped and has a distinctive New Forest feel. Takes just over the hour to complete. Snacks, coffee, ice creams available. The course is in Lymington (by the ferry terminal) – no more than 15 minutes drive. http://www.lymingtongolfcentre.co.uk

Local Days Out

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exbury

Beaulieu Motor Museum and Palace

20 minutes drive. A great family day out with lots for everyone to enjoy including the world famous National Motor Museum, home to a stunning collection of automobiles telling the history of motoring through to modern rally cars and F1 Grand Prix machines, Ticket also includes entrance to Palace House, home of the Montagu family and historic Beaulieu Abbey which was founded in 1204 by Cistercian Monks. Check the web site for seasonal exhibitions. www.beaulieu.co.uk

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

25 minute drive. The Gardens are a spectacular 200 acre site, world-famous for the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and rare trees and shrubs. Capture Exbury’s hidden beauty and explore a myriad of pathways. Let the train take the strain on a 20 minute journey. www.exbury.co.uk

Bucklers Hard

20 minutes drive. On the banks of the Beaulieu River, in the heart of the New Forest National Park, the interesting Maritime Museum and Buckler’s Hard Story gives an insight into the history of this 18th century shipbuilding village focusing on its vessels including those built for Nelson’s Navy. www.buckershard.co.uk

New Forest Cycling

Cycling in the New Forest is ideal for families wanting safe off road and gentle cycle routes, where you will experience the open heathland and sheltered woods. There is a network of over 100 miles of off-road cycle routes. It is best to hire bikes from either Burley (15 minutes away) www.forestleisurecycling.co.uk or Brockenhurst (10 minutes away) www.cyclex.co.uk as then you are already in the heart of the New Forest.

Ealing Tide Mill and Heritage Centre

40 minute drive. Well worth a visit or lunch time stop. Historic and appealing it is one of the very few Tide Mills in the world that is still regularly producing flour. Great pub nearby that overlooks the small harbour. Not easy to find – Satnav SO40 9HF. www.ealingexperience.co.uk

New Forest Activities

Based in Beaulieu this company organises activities for all age groups on water and on land. Activities range from kayaking, canoe trails, paddle boarding courses, archery, cycle hire, interactive walks and treasure trails. www.newforestactivities.co.uk

Trip to the Isle of Wight

Whether as a foot passenger or take your car, enjoy the 40 minute ferry trip from Lymington to Yarmouth. Yarmouth is a charming small town with a good beach whilst the coastal path takes you round to Alum Bay passing small bays on the way – then catch the bus back to Yarmouth. Alternatively follow an old railway track to Freshwater Bay

Horse riding in the New Forest

Horse riding is one of the finest ways to experience the natural beauty of the New Forest. It is catered for in a variety of ways, whether you are a seasoned rider or a beginner – a horse riding experience can be arranged at one of the many local stables. Burley Villa School of Riding. New Milton. 01425 610278. Ford Farm Stables. Brockenhurst. 01590 623043

Further afield

There are many other nearby places which make an excellent full day out: Winchester town and cathedral, Salisbury town and cathedral, Corfe Castle, Portsmouth Historic Dockyards, Stonehenge and Bovington Tank Museum.

There are many more places to visit but I hope this list gives you a small indication of the wide variety of activities that are available within the New Forest area. For more ideas please visit www.thenewforest.co.uk