A visitor's guide to Lymington, New Forest

A visitor's guide to Lymington, New Forest

Lymington provides an ideal setting to explore the coast along the Solent and to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the New Forest. A former home to famous smugglers such as Tom Johnstone (smuggler, privateer & naval officer), the town has some intriguing history as well as many exciting places to explore.

Located at the southern end of the New Forest National Park on the shore of the Solent, Lymington is a pleasant seaside resort with a harbour and three marinas. The high street is the modern part of town and brimful of retailers associated with big-city affluence. The more interesting old town' is characterised by narrow cobbled streets that lead down to the harbour. These streets are riddled with smuggler tunnels' dug many years before, but which are unfortunately no longer open to the public.

The town is well-connected and easy to get to with a shuttle train running back-and-forth to Brockenhurst (c.15mins), which in turn is on the main train line between London Waterloo (1hr 30mins) and Poole. On the eastern side of the Lymington River a car-ferry connects the town to the Isle of Wight.

An Iron Age fort at Buckland (Buckland Rings) is the earliest known settlement in the Lymington area. The remains are accessible to the public, but there is very little to see. Historians believe that Lymington is an Anglo-Saxon settlement dating back to the 6th Century. The town is recorded in the Doomsday Book (1086) as Lentune'.

Lymington has a spirited history having been razed three times by the French over the years as well as harbouring smugglers and fugitives such as Tom Johnstone, perhaps the most famous along this stretch of coastline. It is said that he could pilot a boat by the age of 12 and that he worked for both English and French governments during his lifetime, spending time in jail on both continents.

Lymington's stature grew in importance with the making and refining of salt (part of the town is still remembered for this the Salterns). In time it became known for its shipbuilding industry, now disappeared. Today it is a popular destination for tourists keen to experience the natural beauty of the New Forest and as a natural port of call for sailing boats making their way along the south coast.

There are some excellent Lymington hotels including the Stanwell House Hotel, a boutique hideaway that is sure to make the perfect intimate escape. The Passford House Hotel has the most rooms and is equipped with both indoor and outdoor pools. Lymington also boasts many private guest houses providing bed and breakfast accommodation and plenty of cottages are also available to hire.

POST COMMENT

Eating For Energy Torrent Download Free When New Acne Drugs Are Developed By The FDA What Might Signal a New Era in Golf Are You Buying New Luggage? Ws Tech Usb Multi Display Driver - New Updates ! Video Card Drivers Download - New Install Technique ! How to Stop Hair Loss and Grow New Hair Review - Legit or Scam? Hot New Talents for Rogues in Cataclysm How to Stop Hair Loss and Grow New Hair Scam or Any Good? Spice launched its new mobile M 5100 Whats new in Quickbooks 2010? See the new face of divorce - the spiritual divorce Ford launched its new Fiesta Classic in India