Get organised for 2019 in the New Forest!

It's time to tick things off your 'to do' list with help from local New Forest businesses!

Now the festivities are done and dusted, take a quiet moment out to plan for the New Year. If you’re anything like us, a ‘to do’ list - or several lists - follows you around and never seems to get any shorter! 

Our New Year’s Resolution is to tick our 'to do' lists in 2019, with a little help from some of the fabulous businesses we have here in the New Forest and Lymington area…

Get your house in order!

Sort our your heating!

Aqua Plumbing & Heating Services have been an expert, friendly and reliable plumbing and heating service to customers for 25 years. Get your boiler serviced every year rather than risking issues when the cold weather snaps! And get in touch for all your other plumbing and heating requirements.

With temperatures set to drop, warm up your home with a new stove from the New Forest Woodturning Centre - who also currently have a January SALE!

Meanwhile, Cooling & Heating Solutions can provide heating solutions (and air conditioning) on either a temporary or longer term basis. 

Clean those windows and gutters!

Christie’s Window & Gutter Cleaning Services' fleet of vans each carry all the equipment needed to provide high level window and gutter cleaning services for domestic and business customers. Blocked gutters can cause issues with damp walls and worse. Christie's have invested in brilliant high-level window cleaning and gutter cleaning equipment powered by SpaceVac which help them reach all those high up, out of reach areas. Definitely worth a call!

Time to redecorate! 

If you’ve spent the festivities thinking about all the things that need to be sorted on your house - or that you would love to do - now is the time to get on it! A great place to start is New Forest Interiors, based in Queen Street in Lymington. Find in this treasure trove a vast range and an expert design team who will help you translate your embryonic ideas into beautiful new curtains, blinds, upholstery, cushions, floorings and carpets.

Lymington Tile Centre have hundreds of ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles on display in their superb new showroom at 25 Milford Road, Lymington, pop in, take a look (with off street customer parking). The team know all there is to know about every kind of tile and have some great underfloor heating systems too. They also supply adhesives and grouts plus have a full fitting service.

Treat yourself to a new carpet from John Cooper Carpets, whose January SALE is on now on their (already great value) Greendale range. Visit the showroom for expert advice from Alan and his team, or give them a call to organise a home visit where they'll measure up at the same time.

Tidy up your interiors with Rob Ingrem Decorating, highly recommended for interior and exterior decorating of your home or business, at a price you can afford.

Unframed prints or memorabilia that needs displaying? Contact Lesley at In The Frame who will transform your memorabilia and pictures into unique artwork ready to display! Transform forgotten memorabilia and photos gathering dust and taking up space in the loft to a piece of precious and unique artwork!

Furniture that needs restoring? Peter Cooper not only runs an unbeatable removals and storage business, but also carry out restoration work. Peter Cooper's highly skilled craftsmen are passionate towards the work they do and our overriding aim is to restore a piece of furniture to its original glory, using aged timber and traditional methods.

Sort out your garden!

Winter time can be a brilliant time to look your garden and plan any redesign or landscaping. Contact Debby Lockey Garden Design (and read about how a garden designer might save you money here). Meanwhile the team at J100 Horticulture provide grounds maintenance and weed control, soft landscaping and planting, to both home owners and maintenance management companies.

Make time for Number One: your health and wellbeing

Relax, destress and maintain mindfulness in 2019!

The Natural Health Hub in Lymington is a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the New Forest, dedicated to the health and happiness of people all ages. Discover classes such as yoga, pilates and meditation on a regular basis, massage and therapies, plus a wide range of courses and workshops. Coming up soon on 26th January there is a Stress Workshop followed on 27th January by a 'Get over Christmas' one day retreat. Read here 10 tips about turning resolutions into reality.

Increase your fitness levels in 2019! 

Shape Up Fitness, now based at the Passford House Hotel between Lymington and Sway, provide exercise classes, spin classes, pilates, yoga and one-to-one personal training. Classes can be booked and paid online, with no joining membership fee - it's really easy to sign up and get going! And this month Annabel is running another '30 days to healthy living' course - find out more here! We thoroughly recommend the early morning spin classes - start your day with a spin before work!

Add some fun and laughter to your exercise regime with classes at Push Studios - who also run a class at Shape Up Fitness! Fantastically fun and energetic Dance Fit, Ballet Fit and Adult Ballet classes with Kevin Thatcher, who will bring smile to your face and put a skip in your step all week!

Adults and children of all ages can learn ballet and tap dancing with New Forest Academy of Dance, plus modern theatre for children too. Dance is great exercise, develops poise, self discipline, musicality, rhythm and a highly increased physical and sensory awareness. 

Clear that ear wax! 

You may have a regular issue with ear wax - or perhaps haven't noticed a gradual build up. Ear Clinic Lymington provide a highly cost-effective ear wax removal service, no longer guaranteed as an NHS procedure. Many people try to manage excessive earwax problems themselves before seeking help. Now you can stop spending on oils, self-irrigators and instead take full control of the health of your ears. See the problem and the outcome on Ear Clinic’s large integrated screens. See detailed HD images before and after treatment AND know that your ears are clear after treatment.

Book that dental appointment!

Solent House Dental Centre provides specialised dental care is available in dental implants, orthodontics, crown and bridgework and periodontics (gum treatment). The team of experts based at the practice works together on the more specialist areas of dentistry as needed to ensure you receive the best advice and care possible. One of the best aspects is that even the more complex treatments take place at Solent House, so you can get all the benefits of specialist care without having to go to several different practices for help.

Book that eye test!

Hassan Hicks Opticians provide a warm welcome and offer a full range of services to ensure all your vision requirements are professionally met, including: NHS and private eye tests and examinations, comprehensive eye examinations to investigate ocular health, glaucoma, macular degeneration and many other conditions, a wide range of designer and non-designer spectacles for every taste and budget, contact lenses and solutions, visual field testing including Fundus photography used diagnostically, spectacle repairs and adjustments and wide range of sunglasses.

Sort out those aches, pains and sporting ailments! 

Chiropractic treatments and care are suitable for all and offer relief from common ailments and injuries such as back pain, neck pain and headache through to sports injuries and much more. Chiropractors are “neuro-musculoskeletal experts”, helping people with pain due to their back, neck, shoulders or hips, whether a long-term problem or something which has just happened. We recommend Lymington Chiropractic Clinic and Brockenhurst Chiropractic.

Get your admin in order!

The deadline is looming for online submission of your 2017/18 self assessment tax return: 31 January will be here sooner than you think!. If you’ve not already registered online, do so today - it can take several weeks to register and receive codes in the post. For assistance contact New Forest Tax Accountants, who can provide advice and complete your tax return on your behalf.

With just 3 months until the end of the current tax year, it is also a good idea to review your financial situation. Thesis Asset Management's well-regarded team in Lymington has provided investment services to private clients, charities and trusts since 1996, actively managing and rebalancing the assets within clients’ portfolios. Get in touch for a no obligation chat. 

The team at Lester Aldridge Solicitors will help you naviagate legal situations, both personal and business. Get in touch for a free initial consultation, either at your home/premises in the New Forest or in their Bournemouth office.

Whether you're heading back to work, changing your hours or need a regular babysitter in 2019, Freedom Childcare can help. Based in Lymington, the Freedom team provides flexible, reliable childcare, babysitting, creche and nanny services. The well-regarded team has been helping families and organisations throughout the New Forest, IW, Hampshire, Dorset and West Sussex with childcare and social care needs for over 16 years.

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Woofing good places in the New Forest!

Announcing the winners of the New Forest Dog Friendly Awards 2018.

The New Forest and Solent shore are perfect for dog walks and it's little wonder that the area attracts many visitors and locals with four-legged friends. In fact the New Forest is doggy heaven for well behaved dogs!

This summer and autumn, dog owners have had the opportunity to nominate businesses in the New Forest that they consider to be really dog friendly. The competition ran until Wednesday 31st October and we are delighted to announce the winners!

The WINNERS of the New Forest Dog Friendly Awards 2018 are:

• Most Dog Friendly Hotel in the New Forest - Balmer Lawn Hotel, Brockenhurst
• Most Dog Friendly Restaurant in the New Forest - The Bell Inn, Brook
• Most Dog Friendly Pub in the New Forest - The Turfcutter’s Arms, East Boldre
• Most Dog Friendly Holiday Cottage in the New Forest - Plover Cottage, Milford on Sea
• Most Dog Friendly Bed & Breakfast in the New Forest - High Corner Inn, Linwood
• Most Dog Friendly Café in the New Forest - Tip, Leaf and Bean, Lyndhurst

Many congratulations to the winners and also to all the others nominated in the awards, which will soon be showcased in a new 'Dog Friendly' section on Lymington.com who hosted the awards.

What makes a business dog friendly?

So what makes a business ‘dog friendly’? Overwhelmingly the nominations showed that owners really appreciate their dogs being welcomed inside, rather than being stuck outside.

“It can be hard to find an easy place to grab a bite to eat and a drink if you're passing through Lyndhurst with a four legged companion. This is why Tip, Leaf and Bean is such a welcome addition to Lyndhurst, fantastic food, drinks and service. The essential bonus for me, I can take my dog in and not only is he welcome, he's spoiled rotten,” said one voter.

At the Turfcutters Arms: “We and the dogs were made to feel so welcome inside in the warm, absolutely nothing was too much trouble.”

Clean bowls of fresh water are also incredibly important.

“High Corner Inn has a doggy bar located in the garden, with clean bowls. All the rooms are dog friendly and so is breakfast,” shared another enthusiastic voter.

“The Turfcutters Arms is a brilliant country pub where dogs are totally welcomed inside and out and always plenty of water bowls in the garden.”

Some businesses go one step further. The Bell Inn “even have their own dog menu!”

At the White Hart in Lymington, “dogs are always welcome and water, toys, biscuits are always available if any are required.”

Meanwhile, the Balmer Lawn “have dog towels, water bowls and even a wash facility for muddy paws after walks. We had a dog friendly room which was spacious and had treats for our 2 dogs. The staff were very welcoming and looked after all of us very well.”

The annual Pet Population Report revealed that 45 per cent of the population have a pet, with 26 per cent of people in the UK owning a dog. More than 90 per cent of pet owners say that owning a pet makes them feel happy, while 88 per cent feel that pet ownership improves their quality of life. The research shows that an increasing number of people want to take their trusted companion with them on their holidays.

With the uncertainties of holidays post-Brexit on the horizon, it is likely that many more of us will plan a ‘staycation’ over the next year - and those of us with four-legged friends will want them to come along too.

”I often holiday with my dog and really appreciate finding places to stay, eat and drink where she is welcomed with open arms. It makes such a difference to my holiday", explains awards sponsor, Peter Lashmar of New Forest Tax Accountants.

“Our little dog made himself completely at home [at Plover Cottage], they have even thought of towels and water bowl for our lovely pet.”

At South Lawn Hotel in Milford: “You can take your dogs to the restaurant in the dedicated ‘doggy dining’ area and they were given their own sausages at breakfast time.”

Sponsorship opportunities for 2019!

In 2018 the New Forest Dog Friendly Awards were have been sponsored by New Forest Tax Accountants. Plans are already afoot to launch the 2019 New Forest Dog Friendly Awards in the spring. If your business would like to sponsor the awards next year, please contact Jane Porter of Bartley Marketing on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and look out for more information in the New Year!

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What will you do on a New Forest holiday? 

Planning your holiday week for visitors to the Lymington, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu areas (useful for locals too...) 

 Written by the owners of Bartley Barn New Forest, a self catering holiday cottage with far reaching, west facing views including glorious sunsets, on the open forest near Hatchet Pond in the historic “squatters” village of East Boldre.  

You’ve arrived in the New Forest, discovering en route that the ponies, cows and donkeys roam very freely - including onto the roads.

You’ve unpacked at your hotel, B&B or self catering holiday cottage and sorted your shopping in the case of the latter (see footnote*) and are now looking for a relaxing but also active, week’s worth of things to do, including the pick of the attractions about which you’ve already seen and read a little.

As everybody knows it’s almost impossible to have a proper holiday at home because there are always so many jobs to do, but imagining the luxury of a week’s holiday in this beautiful area this is our “local” personal selection of things to include. (In an area of outstanding natural beauty and enjoying walking, cycling, horseriding and watersports as we do, “our week” includes a healthy dose of active outdoor pursuits!) 

In fact I think we’ve probably included too many suggestions to allow for any chill time. But that’s up to you!

At least one walking day

It’s hard to imagine anybody visiting the New Forest for a week and not including a walk in their itinerary.  There are so many places you can explore - whether you want a wild ramble or need tracks suitable for buggies and wheelchairs of which there are several in this part of the forest including the old runways on Beaulieu Airfield very close to Hatchet Pond and Bartley Barn.

You can also walk for miles opposite Bartley Barn without touching a road at all, just follow your nose and the tracks… you’ll soon get your bearings and can make your circuit as small or as big as you wish – incorporating “Green Patch” which in summer with the animals congregated looks like an African plain!

A real favourite very local walk of ours is a big circuit of Hatchet Pond - about a 45 mins decent walk circuit back to Bartley Barn.  You can do this in either direction but especially if you have dogs I like this way best because they get a run straightaway before you have to cross a road.  If you’d like details get in touch This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we’ll be delighted to send our instructions.    

Fellow self catering holiday provider New Forest Holiday Lets offers a selection of favourite New Forest walks which includes some of our favourites too.

If you’re staying in East Boldre and considering the beautiful Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard river walk, we suggest adding a delightful rural section between East Boldre and Beaulieu -  an extra win-win because the road is narrow, busy and fast.   It starts at the bottom of Chapel Lane (first left after East Boldre Garage heading from Hatchet Pond towards the brilliant New Forest pub the Turfcutters Arms).  Go left over the stile through the woods and follow the field track, it’ll bring you out close to the road nearly opposite the Farm Shop – follow the track parallel with the road until it reaches a road crossing (take care) and from there brings you straight in to Beaulieu Village.  Same on the way back!

A day on a bike - with a nice pub stop included

The New Forest is just fantastic for cycling, both the on- and off-road - although the latter is much more relaxing. Some motorists get VERY impatient and even if you’re trying to keep out of trouble this can be humour challenging at best.

Road racers will almost certainly bring your own bikes, and for track and trail riding too it’s best if you can to do the same as you’ll be free to cycle at will. But bike hire is easy in the New Forest at Brockenhurst and also at New Forest Activities in Beaulieu - which is very good! It’s probably best to hire for the day or even half day where you want to ride.  

Many rides centre on Brockenhurst but there’s a nice loop including Beaulieu and Hatchet Pond which will give you a varied New Forest experience of open forest, gravel tracks through the wooded “inclosures”, easy riding across the old Beaulieu Airfield steeped in world war history, and gentle countryside viewed from the back lanes behind East Boldre and beside the Beaulieu River including part of the Solent Way. If you’re staying at Bartley Barn or the Turfcutters Arms (which has rooms too) you can start and finish at either as both are on the route.  In any case do enjoy a drink and meal break at the latter on your hire bikes too. If you hire bikes at New Forest Activities they’ll give you the leaflet for this ride – and we have stocks at Bartley Barn too.

A day at Beaulieu – National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House

Everybody has heard of the National Motor Museum and there is something for all the family, not just the motorheads, at Beaulieu. If we had a week’s holiday here we would definitely allow for a full day to explore it properly, incorporating the special exhibition of the season. The grounds of the 800 year old Abbey ruins are simply magical you can almost feel yourself walking in the footsteps of the monks.  If you get the chance to enjoy the open air Shakespeare productions by the visiting Castle Theatre group during your stay so much the better.

What to do on a rainy day in the New Forest?

Like everywhere, Beaulieu is better in the sunshine of course but it’s also a suitable destination for a rainy day in the New Forest, so also worth bearing in mind if you’re unfortunate with the weather.  Other rainy day options must include going further afield e.g. to Marwell Zoo, the New Forest Wildlife Park or the Isle of Wight (see below!) -  but in principle if you're visiting the New Forest and it rains, you'll miss out if you haven't brought your waterproofs and wellies with you! Our own recent guests enjoyed a walk in the drizzle through the woods from East Boldre to Brockenhurst finishing with a pizza at the Huntsman - but we did give them a lift back as by then the rain was torrential!

A day exploring Keyhaven and Hurst Castle

The Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve is an area of coastal grazing marsh ("Keyhaven" means “harbour where cows are shipped”),  lagoons and former salt marshes particularly important for wintering birds.  Keyhaven is a small fishing and sailing village nestling behind Hurst Spit, which marked by its evocative tall white lighthouse extends out to form the smallest sea gap between the Hampshire coast and the Isle of Wight.

It’s a very special place.  It’s also a fabulous walk along the shingle spit to Hurst Castle, great exercise and with fantastic views in all directions from the end of the spit - we would definitely include this in the week’s itinerary for our holiday in the New Forest.   (If you don’t feel like walking both ways or even either way, you can catch the ferry which runs regularly between Keyhaven and the Castle during the summer months.)

The Castle itself is interesting and steeped in history from Henry VIII onwards – if you’re members of English Heritage don’t forget your cards! Open during the summer months. You could also explore more of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve (find out more here) while in this area and make a day of it, we probably would, it’s very special!

A day at the beach

For families with small - and not so small! - children a bucket, spades and castles day is almost a rite of holiday passage, come rain or shine! Both Lepe to the east and Milford on Sea to the west offer popular shingle beaches with some sand at low tide, just take swimming shoes with you if you have tender feet! 

For a real beach day on the sand you’ll need to travel a bit further west as far as Highcliffe Castle or if you like a couple of good beach cafes and restaurants on hand, Avon Beach or Steamer Point. And the beaches further along at Boscombe and Bournemouth are fabulous.

Even in the winter months, a blustery walk along the beach is good for the soul...

A day trip to the Isle of Wight

If we had a week's worth of days in the New Forest, we wouldn’t leave out a trip to the Isle of Wight – the western end of the Island is like going back in time, its restorative powers are magical and it’s nearly always sunny (even when it’s cloudy or raining on the mainland - so potentially another thing to do on a rainy day in the New Forest!)  

The crossing on Wightlink from Lymington to Yarmouth is easy, you can take car or bikes but otherwise just catch the bus and walk on the island… book ahead if you’re taking your car.

On foot we would walk along the valley to Freshwater then up onto Tennyson Down and along the chalky grassy crest heading for the Needles, there are unbelievable views in all directions and you can catch a bus back to Yarmouth from the Needles. Right on the western tip of the island, the Needles Battery (National Trust) is well worth a visit and includes a fascinating insight into missile testing in the 1950s.

You could stop at Colwell Bay and visit the Hut for classy fishy sustenance with an amazing view across towards Hurst Castle and Lymington, again booking ahead necessary especially on the weekend (open during summer months).  

By car we’d venture over to Ventnor via the Model Village and drive along the south western shore which in parts is a little like driving along Highway One in California.  Or we'd recommend a wander around Cowes and a visit to Queen Victoria's holiday home, Osborne House.

Either way back in Yarmouth allow time before your ferry to walk out to sea along the wooden pier and perhaps have a drink at the historic George Hotel with its own beach and lovely Solent views, where King Charles II frequently stayed. 

One (at least!) day on the water   

If you would like to go kayaking or canoeing you can take a leisurely family tour on the Beaulieu River or indeed opt for a full on kayaking course with New Forest Activities, who run courses and experiences all year round.

If you’ve always fancied kite surfing there’s a brilliant opportunity to learn it at Calshot with Nomadic Kitesurf who also offer SUP (stand up paddleboarding).  

For stand up paddleboard and kayak lessons and hire there’s also the fantastic New Forest Paddle Sport Company with lessons at Keyhaven and paddles to Hurst Castle.

Other options for getting out on the water in the warmer months include Escape Yachting who offer relaxing half day sailing lunch or dinner cruises on the Solent for all:  families, groups, couples or singles.  You’ll be offered the opportunity to take the helm if you wish and depending on the tides you’ll enjoy a fabulous sail towards the Needles or in the other direction to Newtown Creek.

And finally on the watery theme, if the weather’s good you could include a visit to the Lymington Sea Water Baths, again open during the summer months, our very own local lido which is is the oldest open air natural swimming pool in the UK - it’s enormous, with plenty of opportunity for both serious swimming and fun on the inflatables and SUPs.

A day on horseback 

Riding across the Forest on horseback is something else – a myriad of tracks across open heathland, through the forests and around the bogs mean the opportunities for varying your route are endless and the lack of road work required will delight both you and your equine companion.

So if riding is your thing but you haven’t brought your own horse, book ahead at either Brockenhurst Riding Stables or Ford Farm Stables, both in Brockenhurst. 

A half day or a full day in Lymington

No holiday in the New Forest would be complete without a visit to the Solent sailing mecca of Lymington and there’s plenty to do for a day (see our article: a day out in Lymington).

To see it Lymington at its best, there’s no better day than Saturday when its famous Charter Market fills the High Street - all year round, come rain or shine. Arrive early as parking can be tricky later on.

It’s a bustling town with loads of good independent shops, coffee bars and restaurants, some nice green spaces and of course the Quay and Marinas.  If you happen to visit when one of the walking town tours  is taking place you’ll also get a sense of its history, and St Barbe Museum will also be reopening soon after a large refurbishment. 

A note about eating out in local restaurants and pubs

There are many great places to eat locally, here is a summary - including ideas for winter walks...

If you visit any of the above please do feel free to leave a review on lymington.com – it’s like a “local” Trip Advisor. Just follow the instructions to register and log in then you can post your review.  And, if you’d like to know in advance what’s going on during the week of YOUR holiday, subscribe for free for our Weekly What's On newsletter which is emailed every Friday. Don't miss out!!

You can also follow Lymington.com on Facebook (Lymington Hampshire), Twitter (@lymingtondotcom) and Instagram (@lymingtondotcom).

All set for a magical Christmas at Fairweather's New Forest

Find your Christmas tree (with exclusive £5 discount), decorations and gifts - plus enjoy tea with Santa! 

£5 off your real living and potted Christmas Tree!

Fairweather's Garden Centre in Beaulieu is all set for Christmas 2018! UK grown Christmas Trees will be available to buy from Friday 23 November - and if your tree is too big to take home yourself, Fairweather's offer FREE local delivery. PLUS enjoy an exclusive £5 OFF any real living and potted Christmas tree’s with this voucher - valid until 4 December 2018: download here!

Decorations and gifts for all the family - including hampers!

Your local independent garden centre is stocked with a wonderful range of traditional and contemporary Christmas decorations and delightful gifts for all your family and friends, including gift vouchers. The Fairweather's food hall contains tasty pickles, jams and treats, mostly locally sourced and which can be combined to make into a hamper - a brilliant gift, or treat yourself this Christmas!

Tea with Santa

Tea with Santa proves to be a very popular event each year. Children aged between 3 and 8, come along to Steff’s Kitchen where you will be met by Santa and his jolly Elf. After Santa reads a story there will be gingerbread decorating, colouring and then a delicious afternoon tea of sandwiches and cakes. Each child will be given a lovely present at the end worth over £10. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-20 December. For details and to book online visit www.fairweathers.co.uk All Proceeds from the Fairweather's Santa events this year go to the Honeypot Charity. 

For those of you who love to take selfies, Santa will be popping in to Fairweather's on Sunday 16 and Saturday 22 December between 12 and 2pm – grab a quick snap with him on his sleigh!  

Christmas Crafts in Patrick's Patch

On Saturday 15 December Rachel, Head Gardener in Patrick’s Patch, will be holding a Christmas Crafts day. Children aged between 4 and 11 can make delightful Christmas tree decorations using natural materials that they can take home. They can then enjoy exploring Patrick’s Patch doing a fun Christmas trail with a chocolatey treat afterwards. For details and book online visit www.fairweathers.co.uk

Christmas at Steph's Kitchen

Home cooked Christmas lunches will be served at Steff’s Kitchen from Monday 3 December and when you book in advance, you will receive festive Christmas crackers and delicious chocolates. For details and book online visit www.fairweathers.co.uk

The team at Fairweather's are looking forward to seeing you all very soon and would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

One of the most popular garden centres in Hampshire, situated in the picturesque village of Beaulieu, Fairweather's stock Hampshire’s highest quality garden plants, plus giftware, accessories, furniture and much more. Find out more about Fairweather's Garden Centre here.

What’s on in Lymington and the New Forest over Half Term

Things to do during the school holidays in the New Forest area

There are lots of exciting things happening in Lymington, the New Forest and surrounding areas this October half term. Here's our guide of what's on locally for visitors and locals. Take a look also at our fun days out feature if you're looking to venture slightly further afield. For those having to juggle work with school holidays, we have information about holiday childcare.

To see what's on day by day, take a look at our Events Calendar for the Lymington, New Milton and New Forest area. Remember, if you're organising a local event then add your event to the Lymington.com calendar for free and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out about event advertising and promotion (including being in this article! And see our October special offer for Business Membership).

Take a look also at our Things to Do section, which includes Places to Visit, Walks and Leisure Activities.

Remember to mention Lymington.com this half term!

Remember, remember the 5th November... 

Actually local Bonfire Night celebrations and firework displays start on the Friday of half term and continue through to the second weekend of November! Find our New Forest Firework Displays guide here.

The biggest Firework Display locally takes place on Saturday 27th at Beaulieu, this year with a Back to the Eighties theme - where you can enter the motor museum from 3pm. Find out more here and read on to find out what else is happening at Beaulieu this half term...

Things to do in and around Lymington... 

• Lymington's Malt Cinema at The Lymington Centre will be showing Hotel Transilvania (U) on Saturday 20th, Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th.
• Forest Arts will be showing Peter Rabbit (PG) on Tuesday 23rd at 10am and 2pm, with Peter Rabbit craft activities also available to book.
• Pumpkins are available all week from Friday 19th at Goodall's Farm - where the café will be open for delicious homemade cake. Lunch time food will be available from the New Forest Pizza Co and/or The Laughing Street Chef throughout the week.
• A visit to Lymington's famous charter market is an absolute must if you are visiting the area (and great for locals too!) - every Saturday 8am to 4pm on Lymington High Street. Come and explore the wealth of different stalls! Find out more about Lymington's famous market...
• Lymington Town Tours will be running walking tours around the local area on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th.
• At Lymington Library, Rhyme Time continues as normal on Tuesday 23rd, Baby Play Time on Thursday 25th, Toddler Time on Thursday 25th and Construction Club on Saturday 20th and 27th.
• Lily and the Albatross will be showing at Forest Arts on Thursday 25th.
• The New Forest Players will be performing No60 to the Somme at Ballard School on 25th, 26th and 27th October, a musical play honouring the 100th Anniversary of The First World War

Fun in the New Forest

• The New Forest Walking Festival continues throughout half term, with guided walks led by knowledgeable local experts to help you discover more about the history, heritage and wildlife of the Forest.
• New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst is holding Half Term Family Discovery Days on Tuesday 23rd and Thursday 25th from 10am-4pm. New Forest themed trails, quizzes and craft activities for all the family, so come along and explore your crafty side. 
• At the Countryside Education Trust in Beaulieu there is a Seasonal Bushcraft Day on Wednesday 24th and a Woodland Fair on Thursday 25th.
• Lepe Country Park have a half term trail. Pick up a trail card from the park office anytime between 10am - 3pm and return with correct answers to claim your prize. Cost: £2 per child, no need to book.
• Learn about Bushcraft at Lepe Country Park on Tuesday 23rd and learn to appreciate the coast at Love Your Coast on Thursday 25th.
• Discover the Fairy Doors at Furzey Gardens. Visit the gardens and have fun making an animal mask from Monday 22nd to Friday 26th.

Great days out in the New Forest area

• Beaulieu have lots of activites for the whole family during half term, plus of course their new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang exhibition which is bound to be truly scrumptious! Link here to the Beaulieu website to book tickets (if you purchase tickets in advance there is a saving) Lymington.com tip: go at the beginning of the week and visit again for free within 6 days! On Saturday 27th it is the Beaulieu Firework Extravaganza.
• Step back in time at Buckler’s Hard this half term as Living History characters take you on a tour of the once-thriving shipbuilding village. 26th-29th May step aboard HMS Medusa, which took a starring role in the recent Dunkirk movie, and learn more about its wartime role helping to clear the way to Omaha Beach for D-Day.

Spooky things to do in the New Forest 

• Are you brave enough for a Spooky Halloween River Tour (Thursday 26th) or Haunted Battlefield Live! (Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 25th) with New Forest Activities?
• New Forest Heritage Centre have Museums at Night on Friday 26th - dress up in your spookiest outfit, bring a torch and visit the museum at night!
• Lepe in the Dark: explore the park looking for nocturnal life on Monday 22nd and Wednesday 24th.
• Forest Arts have a Spooky Halloween Disco on Saturday 27th and Spooky Science on Friday 26th October.

Get active in the New Forest

• 

  Based on the bank of the Beaulieu River, New Forest Activities have a great range of activities for all the family - choose from archery, canoeing, kayaking, cycling and Battlefield Open Battles (for age 8+). Find out more and make bookings online. There's a Family Woodland Adventure Day on Wednesday 24th and Family Canoeing and Family Adventure Days every day during Half Term.
• Meanwhile, find The New Forest Paddle Sport Company in Milford on Sea, who offer paddleboard and kayak tuition and hire offer Hurst Castle Paddling Tours by SUP or kayak.
• Every Saturday at Woodside is Park Run, a great way for families to run together, from 9am. Register online before arriving to get a barcode.
• New Forest Activities hold Holiday Adventure Days for children aged 8-14 years. The day includes learning bushcraft skills such as foraging and shelter building, plus archery and the ropes course. This half term the Adventure Day is Tuesday 23rd October. 
• Lymington Tennis Club hold tennis and fun sports camps every school holiday, either full days or half days are available.
• Durlston Court Prep School have half term activities from Monday 22nd to Wednesday 31st, including football, art and craft activities.

If you hear of any other exciting things to do locally this half term, do This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with us and let us know! And please mention that you "saw it on Lymington.com" !

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Firework Displays in Lymington and the New Forest

Gunpowder, treason and plot! 2018 Bonfire night in Lymington and the New Forest.

Updated 17 October 2018

If you are looking for a spectacular fireworks and bonfire night celebration in the New Forest area, take a look at our guide. Remember to add any events not in the list to our Events Calendar.

Planning fireworks at home? See below also the RoSPA Firework Safety Code and take care. Be mindful that fireworks can scare animals and seriously worry some people.

Friday 26 October in Brockenhurst.

Brockenhurst Football Club kick off our 2018 bonfire celebrations from 6pm, with firework display at 7pm. Fire engine display, live music, hot food and refreshments. Adults £6, children & senior citizens £3, family ticket £15.

Find out more...

Saturday 27 October at Beaulieu.

One of the largest and most impressive firework displays in the south, choreographed brilliantly to music (this year the theme is 'Back to the Eighties') Come along early from 3pm to enjoy Beaulieu and a huge range of entertainment for the whole family. Fireworks (approx) 7.30pm. Admission with Fireworks tickets from 3:00pm. Adult £13.50, Child £8.75, Family £38.00. 

Find out more...

Thursday 1 November in Hythe.

The 7th annual Hythe Community Fireworks at Ewart Recreation Ground have been organised by the Friends of Hythe Primary, Hythe & Dibden Cricket Club and the Handy Trust. Gates open 5pm, firework display at 6:30pm. Advance tickets £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children.

Friday 2 November at Strawberry Fields, Lymington.

Fireworks, bonfire, live music and family fun just outside Lymington at Strawberry Fields (location of the weekly car boot sale) Bonfire from 7pm and firework display from 8pm. Tickets in advance £6 adults, £3 children (plus booking fee) or on the gate £8 adults and £4 children. 

Find out more...

Friday 2 November in Lyndhurst.

Lyndhurst Junior Football Club and Lyndhurst Scouts are hosting a Fireworks Night at Coles Mead Recreations Ground. Bonfire from 8.30pm with fireworks at 7pm. Refreshments and hot food will be available.

Friday 2 November in Marchwood.

Marchwood Junior School is hosting a Fireworks Display, with live music, fireworks and refreshments. Tickets on sale via the school office, or on the night. Gates open 5:15pm, fireworks at 7pm.

Saturday 3 November in Boldre.

Fireworks display and bonfire with bar and hot food at Boldre War Memorial Hall. Adults £3 and children under 10 £2. Free parking.

Find out more...

Saturday 3 November at Exbury Club.

The annual Exbury Club Bonfire Night celebrations are fun for all the family. This November, enjoy an evening of music from Cordelectra, plus a fantastic fireworks display by Illusion Fireworks. Bonfire 7pm, Fireworks 7:30pm. Evening of music from Cordelectra! £5 a car, £1 Walkers! 

Saturday 3 November in Copythorne.

Fireworks Display at Copythorne Villages Hall. Gates open at 5.30 ready for the bonfire to be lit around 6pm followed by TWO spectacular fireworks displays (with interval between). Guy competition open to all, be creative!! Make sure you take your guy inside the hall by 6PM for judging. Refreshments available all evening. Tickets on the gate: £6 adults, £1 children. No sparklers. 

Sunday 4 November at Gang Warily. 

Fawley Firework Spectacular at Gang Warily Recreation Ground. Bonfire, fireworks, bar and food. Tickets £2.50 in advance, £5 on the night. 

Find out more...

Sunday 4 November in Totton.

Totton & Eling Cricket Club are hosting a Bonfire Night show, with host DJ, children’s fairground rides and stalls. Outdoor and indoor bars, plus a hog roast and BBQ mean you can enjoy a bite to eat pre-show! There is limited parking across the road at Abbotswood School, please walk where possible. Advance tickets: £5.50 per single or £17.00 per family (2 adults and up to 3 children) On The Day: £7.00 per single or £20.00 per family.

Sunday 4 November in Ringwood.

Ringwood's Bonfire and Fireworks Display takes place at Carvers Playing Field, with hog roast, food stalls, beer tent and small fairground rides, so there's plenty on offer for the whole family! Starts 3.30pm.

Monday 5 November in East Boldre.

The East Boldre School Fields Firework Night party at the East Boldre Old School Fields is a wonderful family event. Refreshments from 5.30pm, bonfire from 6pm, firework display at 6.30pm. BBQ, tea, cake and lots of other lovely treats. Perfect for little kids and the big kids too! Free entry but donations welcome. Lots of Lymington folk came along to this display last year - East Boldre were delighted and hope it'll happen again...it’s such a lovely traditional event like a kind of throwback to family bonfire parties of olden days. There will be donation buckets at the gate. Allow plenty of time for parking along the road as it can get busy!

Find out more...

Monday 5 November in Burley.

Celebrate bonfire night at Burley Park (BH24 4EB). Gates open 5pm.

Monday 5 November in Fordingbridge.

Join Sandleheath Community Association for a free bonfire and fireworks night on the Sandleheath Common! BBQ and soft drinks will also be available to buy on the night.
The bonfire will be lit at 6pm.

Friday 9 November in Sway.

The annual fireworks fundraising event at St Luke's School is a fantastic family event on the school field. Get there at 5pm for refreshments and to see the procession of guys taken to the bonfire before it is lit. Firework display from 6pm. Tickets in advance from the Sway Newsagent and Winkwork £6. Tickets on the gate £7.

Find out more...

Saturday 10 November in New Milton

Firework display organised by New Milton Round Table in aid of local charities. Gates open 6pm, fireworks at 7pm. There'll be delicious hot food to warm you up, hot chocolate and the kids will enjoy the rides on the night. Adults £6, children £4 (children aged under 4 go free)

Find out more...

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Remember the safety code if planning fireworks at home!

If you are planning a firework display at home, remember the RoSPA Firework Safety Code:

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable

2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time

3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary

4. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back

5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks

6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit

7. Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them

8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators

9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire

10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving

Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.

With some firework displays overlapping with Halloween this year, be especially careful with - or avoid - the combination of fancy dress and sparklers or bonfires. For more information on how to keep safe, visit www.saferfireworks.com.

Lymington and Pennington had a blooming good summer!

Four Silver Gilts in the 2018 South and South East in Bloom Awards

Lymington & Pennington did 'blooming' well this summer by achieving the following coveted awards in the 'South and South East in Bloom' awards:

Pennington Common - Silver Gilt Award

Woodside Gardens - Silver Gilt Award

Lymington Town - Silver Gilt Award

St Thomas Churchyard - Silver Gilt Award

'South & South East in Bloom' is part of the 'Britain in Bloom' campaign where boroughs, communities, residents and businesses can work together to improve their environment.

The campaign aims to increase the number of people involved in gardening and horticulture and to see the standard maintained or rise wherever possible. It also strives to see improvement in how we care for our environment, including how we care for scarce resources such as water.

South and South East in Bloom is also about how we come together as communities and make a contribution to the above by getting involved and making our neighbourhoods, villages, towns and cities better places to live, work and visit.

It's easy to see why when we have such beauty to enjoy in our locality. Well done to all who have helped our town achieve these awards. 

 Photo credit: 3 Steve Elson (Woodside, High Street, Gosport Street)

Vote for Lymington in the Great British Market Awards!

Let's put Lymington Charter Market on the national stage - vote by 30th November!

The Great British Market Awards 2019 have been launched! 

This is a fantastic opportunity for us all to put Lymington Charter Market on the national stage. We are all proud of our local market and the impact it makes to the town, tourism and local community life. Your entries will help spread the word about this market locally and nationally.  

Vote now for Lymington Charter Market

Lymington Charter Market needs your vote. The closing date is 30th November 2018 at 11.59pm

Anyone can vote and you simply need click on the link here https://www.nabma.com/vote/ and enter in Lymington Charter Market in the box underneath 'My vote for Britain’s favourite market goes to'

There is no limit to the number of votes that you can make - so please encourage all your friends and family to vote!

It is easy to do and only takes a minute - so please get voting now. We know Lymington is the best market - let's make it official!

Lymington's weekly market

Lymington’s Charter Market takes place along the length of the High Street every Saturday throughout the year from 8am to 4pm. It's by far the largest street market in the New Forest area and with a great deal of history behind it is nowadays a special experience for New Forest visitors to enjoy. 

Find out more about Lymington's Fabulous Charter Market

Photo credit: William Bonett 

Beaulieu launches Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition

New exhibition at the National Motor Museum opens on 20 October 2018

A new exhibition at Beaulieu's National Motor Museum will tell the story of Chitty as the star of the fantasmagorical family adventure and feature an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious in the much-loved musical film.

Coggins’ Garage will be recreated in the museum to house the amazingly inventive machines of Rowland Emett seen in the film, including the Humbug Major Sweet Machine, Clockwork Lullabye, Little Dragon Carpet Sweeper and Hot Air Rocking Chair.

Standing outside will be a full-size replica of Grandpa Potts’ hut, recreated using the original 50-year-old technical drawings from the archive of EON Productions. The actual Spy Phone prop used in the film will be on show alongside.

Costumes as seen in the film will include those of the infamous Child Catcher and Sally Anne Howes’ life-size music box dolldress which she wore while dancing with Dick Van Dyke for Baron Bomburst’s birthday surprise.

A timeline wall will chart the Chitty story from its beginnings – as James Bond creator Ian Fleming’s inspirational book about the magical flying car – to Cubby Broccoli’s unique interpretation on film. Fleming was inspired by the real-life exploits of racing driver Count Louis Zborowski who designed and built four aero-engined racing cars that were named Chitty Bang Bang because of the sound they made while standing idle. The exhaust and leather bonnet strapfrom the Count’s original Mercedes Chitty will be on display as part of his legacy.

The cloud-shaped wall will also feature first edition copies of Fleming’s book which he wrote for his son Caspar and was published posthumously in 1964, alongside producer Cubby Broccoli’sprogramme from the Royal World Premiere of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film in 1968. Weird and wonderful Chitty memorabilia includes signatures of the star-studded cast, pedal and Corgi cars, comics, computer games, pop-up books and even lunch boxes made to celebrate the children’s favourite film.

Never exhibited before original film concept art by Sir Ken Adam, storyboard watercolour artwork by Robert Laing and technical drawings by Peter Lamont will be on display, along with the solid silver Chitty model bought for producer Cubby Broccoli by his wife Dana.

Outside in the grounds, visitors to Beaulieu can see a stunning Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction being driven around the attraction – you may even be lucky enough to go for a ride!

Thanks to Fleming’s brilliant story about the beautiful, magical car and Roald Dahl’s screenplay adaptation, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains as popular today as it ever has been.

The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film, produced by Albert R. ‘Cubby’ Broccoli of James Bond fame, was Oscar nominated for its musical score and featured a host of stars including Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill and Barbara Windsor.

Six original Chittys were built for the film by Alan Mann of Alan Mann Racing – two were racers and four were touring cars. One was fitted with a hovercraft skirt to skim over the water, while another was able to spread its wings when required.

Beaulieu’s Chitty is owned by EON Productions and its after-film adventure took it to Australia, before being rediscovered by a film car enthusiast and brought back to the UK in 1987. It was used for the hovercraft and some ‘blue screen’ special effect flying sequences and therefore is mainly made of lighter weight aluminium to make it easier to manoeuvre during filming. It has since taken part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York in 2004, visited the Queen for her Birthday Garden Party in 2006, flew to Singapore to promote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The Musical in 2007 and had a day on London’s South Bank celebrating Cubby Broccoli’s centenary in 2009

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years can be seen as part of the general admission to Beaulieu, which includes entrance to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens.

Find out more about Beaulieu, including how to buy tickets in advance online.

Priestlands celebrates excellent GCSE results!

Congratulations to year 11 students at Lymington's Comprehensive School.

There was much to celebrate at Priestlands School last week as students received their GCSE results. Despite the uncertainties of the new exams in many subjects, Priestlands students did very well. 

English, Maths and Science sustained high performance whilst there were also record results in Business Studies, Computing Science, Geography, ICT, PE and strong performances in many other subjects. 

A third of all grades awarded were at 9-7 or A/A* and 74% students secured the new standard pass (4-9) in English ­and Maths, with 54% students secured the new strong pass (5-9) in English and Maths. Meanwhile 77% of students secured at least 2 Science grades 4-9. 

26% achieved the English Baccalaureate, although this figure is expected to increase when some late results come in.

In terms of the government’s new performance measures which apply to all schools in 2018, the provisional new “Progress 8” figure shows that, on average, students at Priestlands made more progress than similar students nationally.

Priestlands Head Teacher, Pete Main, is thrilled with the results: "We are yet again delighted with the outcomes our students have achieved. Most exams were based on the new harder GCSE specifications with the 9-1 grades and they have demonstrated that hard work really does pay off as record results were achieved in many subjects as well as sustained high performance in the core subjects."

"Priestlands is proud of the opportunities it provides students beyond examinations and we recognise the importance of developing well rounded young people. This year group have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into life at Priestlands leaving a strong legacy and they are now in a superb position to go on and achieve great things in the next phase of their education.”

Congratulations to Year 11 students who have been rewarded for their hard work.