Family mediation is often thought of as something parents use only during separation but in reality, it is a great ongoing tool that supports families for years afterwards.
We're hoping to bask in a gloriously sunny summer! Whether you are out enjoying Lymington's fabulous Seawater Baths, walking along the coastal path along the Solent, exploring the New Forest, or simply relaxing in the garden, it is worth reminding ourselves to be sensible with the sun. Adults and children alike enjoy spending time outdoors in the sunshine. However, it's a well-known fact that over-exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause sunburn, speed up the ageing process of your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.
The delicate skin of babies and children is particularly sensitive to UV rays. In fact, research indicates that sunburn in childhood may increase the risk of skin cancer in later life. So take special care to ensure that children are given the protection they deserve when out in the sun.
A good way to get children (and adults!) to remember what to do in the sun is SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SEEK, SLIDE:
SLIP on a t-shirt and SLAP on a hatCovering the skin with cool, loose clothing is one of the safest and least expensive ways of protecting children from the sun. Long sleeve t-shirts and hats which shade the face, neck and ears are best. Clothing made from tightly woven fabrics, such as cotton, offers good protection from the sun's rays.
Look out for sunsuits with a high SPF in the fabric - most high street stores now stock these at reasonable prices. Locally, JoJo Maman Bébé in Lymington High Street is a great place to find swimwear for children with sun protection.
Encourage children to play in the shade, particularly between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm when the sun's rays are most intense. Babies should be kept out of the sun: use sunshades on prams and never leave babies unattended outside as they are unable to move with the shade.
Plan walks or other activities to avoid the midday sun. Don't be fooled by cool breezes or cloud cover, as up to 80% of the sun's rays can penetrate through light clouds and mist. Sand, water, concrete and other light surfaces also reflect UV light on the skin, increasing the risk of sunburn.
Beach tents with a high SPF (40 or more) are also a good idea for keeping babies (and sleepy children) out of the sun.
When neither shade nor protective clothing is practical, use a high-factor sunscreen on all exposed skin. However, due to the sensitive nature of their skin, children should ideally use a sunblock with a much higher sun protection factor (SPF) which blocks out as much of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays as possible. Apply sunscreen frequently and generously (following instructions), particularly after being in the water or after towelling skin dry.
Department of Health advice is for children to always use a sunscreen of SPF40 or above, and adults (unless very fair skinned) at least SPF30. Bear in mind that most damage to your skin is done by the time you are 18. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better.
Most people do not apply enough sunscreen - if sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced. As a guide, adults should aim to apply around:
If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use sunscreen with a higher SPF and if you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and just before going out.
Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer's instructions. This includes applying it straight after you have been in the water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off. It's also recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin.
Remember, using sunscreen does not guarantee that you will not burn. Do not use sunscreen to prolong the time children spend in the sun!
Sun lotion has a shelf life of about 2-3 years, but only if it hasn't been left in direct sunlight or stored at high temperatures.
Remember to protect your eyes in the sun. A day at the beach without proper eye protection can cause a temporary but painful burn to the surface of the eye, similar to sunburn. Reflected sunlight from snow, sand, concrete and water, and artificial light from sunbeds, is particularly dangerous. Avoid looking directly at the sun, as this can cause permanent eye damage.
Make sure that children wear proper sunglasses with wraparound lenses or wide arms that meet the CE Mark and British Standard Mark 12312-1:2013 E.
For more information, click here to visit the NHS website.
Walk to School week (16-22 May this year) is part of the Living Streets campaign - see more here.
Having already established their "Park and Stride" processes, it was a small "step" for Lymington Infant and Junior schools to take part in Walk to Shool week too.
For those who live too far away to walk the whole way to school, the simple principle of parking a little further away and walking makes it possible for everybody to take part in this initiative.
Last month Lymington Infant and Junior schools held a special launch event for their new Park and Stride scheme.
The schools joined with Hampshire County Council as part of a national campaign to encourage alternatives to car travel on the school run.
Park and Stride is a long term scheme designed to promote walking, cycling or scooting to school in order to reduce congestion and pollution in the local area, making it a better environment in which to live and learn!
(Not to mention the benefits of extra daily exercise in the battle against the growing obesity epidemic!)
Everyone is delighted that the New Forest District Council has supported the schools by enabling families to use the local car parks free of charge during drop off and pick up times. A special permit is issued for this purpose. Barfields and the Town Hall car park are only 3 or 4 minutes walk away from the school, meaning that parents who live further away can safely park here and still be active as part of their journey to school.
Inspired by ‘My Journey Hampshire’, families and members of the community met bright and early at the Park and Stride car parks and set off accompanied by volunteers to walk the short distance to school. They were met by a larger than life Basil the Bird who posed for photographs and handed out stickers.
Both the Infant and Junior school have been working hard and have achieved their Bronze Modeshift STARS award which celebrates sustainable and active travel to school such as scooting, cycling or walking; the schools have also been teaching pupils the green cross code and pedestrian safety as well as scooter training.They have a number of events planned for next term.
The recent ‘Bling my bike/scooter’ was a great success.
Both schools hope that once the scheme is established, they will see a reduction in the number of cars and a reduction in the number of parking issues which they hope will benefit the local community too.
If you'd like to be kept in the loop about upcoming local events with Lymington.com's Weekly What's On e-newsletter and don't already receive it just click here!
Launched back in the middle of March just before the National lockdown, Beaulieu’s new adventure play area, Little Beaulieu, is getting ready to welcome younger visitors again when it reopens from Monday 27th July.
This £0.5m new feature at the Beaulieu visitor attraction was closed on 21st March just one week after its official opening and therefore hasn’t yet had the pleasure of being used by the younger visitors for whom it has been designed.
The large wooden structures and rustic play equipment allow children to let their imagination run wild as they explore Little Beaulieu’s secret passageways and hidden tunnels, its turrets and lookout tower. They can peek out from behind portraits and crawl through a trick bookcase to discover every nook and cranny, from his Lordship’s library to the tree-top boardwalk – then keep their eyes peeled for a bird’s-eye view as the ‘Skytrain’ monorail rumbles past.
Special safety and cleaning measures in placeThe Beaulieu team has put in place special safety and cleaning measures to ensure the play area can be enjoyed safely by visitors as part of its Covid-19 visitor safety promise. Capacity will be managed with a recommended maximum playtime during busier periods to avoid any disappointment.
The Little Beaulieu kiosk will also be open, and families will be able to enjoy light refreshments in the covered seating area whilst their children play.
To coincide with the reopening of Little Beaulieu, a limited special offer ticket has been introduced on admissions at 3pm and 4pm. The discounted ticket will provide entry to all aspects of the attraction until it closes at 6pm. Perfect for families wanting an afternoon playdate, a picnic in the parkland or those wanting a shorter visit to a specific area of the attraction.
A brand new exhibition in the National Motor Museum, Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of Your Childhood, is another a great reason to visit this summer holiday. A colourful collection showcasing more than 800 toy cars and pedal cars as well as books and games celebrates the miniature motoring memories and much-loved playthings of the past. The exhibition features Lord Montagu’s own childhood pedal car, modelled on a vintage London bus, as well as his collection of pristine Matchbox vehicles displayed in Palace House.
A visit to Beaulieu is a really brilliant day out for the whole family to enjoy together. Your tickets include the National Motor Museum, On Screen Cars, the World of Top Gear, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Little Beaulieu, the Secret Army Exhibition, Beaulieu Abbey, as well as the grounds and gardens. There really is something for everyone to enjoy!
School's out! Except it's not. Schools in the UK are now closed for an undefined period of time for all but the children of key workers, leaving parents to follow school guidelines and home educate their children - whilst at the same time having to work from home too.
A recipe for disaster? Or precious family time together? Locally we're fortunate to live with the New Forest National Park and the Solent shore within easy reach - do make time to get outside to get fresh air and exercise daily if possible.
We've gathered here some useful information that could help...
Closer to home, take the virtual tour of St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=PcS9Xyz4DuW
If you are aware of any other local resources, please get in touch to let us know on
The British Psychological Society have also asked schools to share some advice with you that is as follows:
Have a routine and structure – Having a plan and a predictable routine for the day can be very reassuring. As adults we like to know what is going to happen, and children like this too. A consistent routine lets everyone be secure about the plans for the day. It is often useful to involve children in creating this routine, so that they feel part of the plan, rather than the plan being imposed on them. You could display the routine using a timeline, or maybe pictures and visuals. Encourage children to develop independence by referring to their own routine/plan themselves.A self help guide: https://www.annafreud.org/selfcare/
The mix - a help line for children who can text to talk to people: https://www.themix.org.uk/
Childline has a whole section on calmness and mental health: https://www.childline.org.uk/
Need some help with home learning?: https://www.skillsbuilder.org/homelearning
Autism Wessex – for students who have a diagnosis of ASD: https://www.autismwessex.org.uk
Stay in the loop by subscribing free of charge for our weekly email, 'Weekly What's On' - out every Friday.
Find other useful information during the coronavirus crisis here - including community help groups. This includes a printable postcard that you can drop round to neighbours (do knock on their door and say hello too) - remember some of your neighbours may not have access to the internet or social media.
Find details of New Forest businesses carrying out local deliveries here.
Many thanks to Bournemouth School for the information from the British Psychological Society and additional websites for information.
Two Ballard School pupils have won gold at the Independent School Association’s (ISA) National Athletics Championships following record-breaking success at the ISA London West Athletics Championship.
Ballard School’s top sportsmen and women achieved great success at the ISA London West Athletics on Wednesday, 5th June, winning 23 medals, 4 championship regional records and upholding their gold position in the U17 Girls’ Relay for a 4th consecutive year. This run of achievements saw three pupils go on to compete in the National Championships, held at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham on Wednesday, 19 June 2019.
At ISA London West Athletics, Lana Blake single-handedly beat two championship regional records in Long Jump with a distance of 5.38m and in the 200m with a time of 25.57s. Theo Shaw and Ella Adams also saw their 1st place wins smash records; Theo with a distance of 38.22m in the Javelin and Ella with an impressive time of 12.81s in the 100m.
Their wins qualified them for the National Championships where Theo Shaw secured gold in Javelin and Ella Adams achieved gold in both the 100m and 4x100m relay. Ballard’s Jemima Chetwood also competed in the National Championships and accomplished an impressive silver medal in the 600m whilst competing against pupils a year older.
Lana Blake took the decision not to compete as she is currently focusing on competing in the English School Nationals, where she is hoping to break more records.
Andrew McCleave, Headmaster at Ballard School, said: “I am very proud of all our pupils who participated in the ISA London West Athletics and National Athletics; their achievements were outstanding across the board.”
Finlay Wood, PE teacher at Ballard School, said: “The pupils worked so hard in the run-up to these competitions and really deserve their fantastic achievements. A special well done to them all.”
An award-winning, independent, co-educational day school for children aged 2-16, Ballard School sits within 32-acres of woodland and playing fields on the Hampshire and Dorset border, between the New Forest and Solent.
Ballard School has outstanding sports facilities, including an Olympic Astro and provides a healthy, positive and inclusive sports provision. The school has six full-time specialist PE staff for individual sports tuition, who teach all pupils from Nursery upwards.
As well as winning a wide range of team competitions, the school also supports pupils in their success out of school across a wide range of sports and has strong links with local sports clubs, providing further opportunity and encouragement for those pupils who wish to develop into county, national and, potentially, international players.
Ballard’s approach is that sport and its benefits are for life and for all abilities, summarising sporting values with the acronym TREDS – teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.
The Ballard School Summer Camp programme runs throughout the school holidays and includes Sport, Gym, Dance, Creative Arts, Stay and Play, Cycle Proficiency, Mad Science, Animation & Programming, Play & Drama and Swimming for children in YR - Y9. Find out more here.
Updated July 2021
Finding things for the children to do whilst you are working can be a real chore. In a bid to try and make things slightly easier for you, here is a summary of holiday children that is usually on offer in and around Lymington.
Start planning your school holidays now - you will generally find that activity days get booked up well in advance.
Do get in touch with us if you know of any other holiday childcare clubs that could help local parents juggle school holidays.
Stay and Play at Lymington Junior School are open during the school holidays. Please contact Danielle on 07867 534398 or Karen on 07885 821234 or email
Milford School Holiday Club is open school holidays, from 8.30am to 3pm. Whole days or afternoons possible. Contact 01590 644684 for further information about the club. See also http://www.milfordpreschoolplus.co.uk/out-of-school-care/
Ballard School usually run holiday camps with sports, arts and STEM activities during the school holidays - see our Events Calendar for more information!
Calshot Activities Centre has a range of Action Adventure Days for most school holidays - choose from skiing, snowboarding, track cycling, canoeing, archery, climbing, skiing and windsurfing - and much more!
The Tile Barn Centre in Brockenhurst has action adventure days during most school holidays.
Hengistbury Outdoor Centre has a range of multi-activity days and watersports courses available during most school holidays.
Avon Tyrrell has fun days and half-days for children aged 5+ during most school holidays.
If you are running school holiday childcare and/or activity days that could help parents juggle work and holidays and would like to be featured in this article, please get in touch with
Planning a birthday party for children can be a highly stressful affair! The pressure is on to organise something 'different' with plenty of fun for the children and minimal stress for the parents – is there such a thing? Indeed there is…
A children's party at The Kitchen Cookery School will provide your little chefs with an afternoon of culinary greatness, laughter and a fantastic feast. The party will learn to cook some simple dishes to suit their age followed by pizza with a glass of squash where no doubt they will discuss their new found recipes, tips and triumphs from the class. Each guest will then take home with them a Cookery School apron and some baked treats.
The Children’s Party Package includes a cookery class between 3pm-5pm, followed by pizza and a drink at 5pm on the Chef’s Table, plus a complimentary apron and baked treats to take home*.
The Kitchen Cookery SchoolThe Kitchen Cookery School is a purpose-built space for enjoying and learning about food and cooking, set in the grounds of the Chewton Glen near New Milton, Hampshire. The UK's newest cookery school and already considered one of the best in the South of England, The Kitchen is led by award-winning TV chef, James Martin. The design is open plan with glass doors and panelling flooding the rooms with light. Surrounding the building are raised beds and a greenhouse where herbs and vegetables are grown year-round to supply The Kitchen - a true feast for the senses.
As well as children's parties, The Kitchen also runs regular cookery classes for children and teens - as well as a wide range of classes for grown ups, including seasonal courses, full day and half day courses and the opportunity to cook with James Martin and a roster of the UK’s top celebrity chefs.
Parties for grown ups too!Luckily for those of us excited about cuisine and hankering to be 'star baker', parties and events are available at The Kitchen for grown ups too! Choose an 'Ultimate Dinner Party' with cookery demonstration for 8-12 people, or a half or whole day class for up to 24 people where the team will adjust the menu to suit your timings, requirements and number of guests. You can also enjoy a lively Champagne cocktail and canapés reception with 1 hour evening demonstration. Perfect for corporates and business team-building, events at The Kitchen are also a fabulously alternative celebration for families and friends!
Children's Party Package: £50 per child. Please note this package is not available to children under 6. Minimum number of attendees is 8 children and maximum of 12 children per party. Pre-booking is essential. The addition of a delicious Victoria sponge birthday cake is also available at an extra cost to mark the occasion.
If you are looking for an exciting new activity for your pre-schooler then look no further! New Forest Academy of Dance offer classes in ballet and music and drama for 2-4 year olds in Lymington and Pennington.
The nursery ballet classes provide an exciting introduction to the world of ballet, working on key skills, co-ordination, balance and performance.
In this class students will explore dance through stories, music and use of props. Ballet can help your child to grow in confidence, improve their level of focus, develop strong bodies and nurture a love of music and culture. It also gives the opportunity to make new friends and to be inspired by older ballet dancers.
Drama and music classes also help your pre-school child to build social skills and confidence. The class consists of singing and drama related play that helps develop team work and imagination.
Drama is so good for young children: it teaches them not only how to speak clearly, loudly and with confidence, but many other communication skills as well, such as maintaining eye contact when talking.
"Our nursery and tots classes provide young children with valuable skills for life," shared Kayleigh Sargeant, Principal of New Forest Academy of Dance. "Our aim is to help girls and boys to build their social skills in a variety of ways, both individually and as teams. As a result they grow in confidence and are well prepared for starting school."
For boys as well as girls, classes are available throughout the week in term time as follows:
Mondays 3.30 - 4pm at Lymington Community Centre
Wednesdays 3.30 - 4pm at Lymington Community Centre
Saturdays 9 - 9.30am at Lymington Community Centre
For children aged 2 years to starting school age.
Tuesdays 3.30 - 4.15pm at Lymington Community Centre
For children aged 2.5 years to starting school age.
New Forest Academy of Dance offers a three week pay as you go trial scheme so you can ensure the class works for your little star before signing up.
Too old for tots classes? New Forest Academy of Dance provide classes in ballet, modern theatre and tap for children of all ages, with syllabus and examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and LAMDA.
New Forest Academy of Dance also provide classes for adults in ballet and tap.
Find out more about New Forest Academy of Dance, including contact details...
Although we have the wonders of the New Forest on our doorstep, there are times when only the magic of a playground will do. Here is a guide to some of Lymington's playgrounds - by three intrepid 'experts.'
"We think Lymington has some awesome playgrounds! This guide might be useful if you're new to the town, or want to find some new places to play with your friends."
Woodside Gardens provides a great outdoor space in which children can play. As well as the fenced play area, there is a lot of space for running around - and in particular playing hide and seek in the rhododendron bushes! There is a short walk around the section of the gardens immediately near the playground with paths ideal for scooting (although do mind any pedestrians!). These paths take you past the Fairy Village (see if you can spot the little doors in the trees).
Woodside is an easy walk from Lymington. There’s a small carpark (free) off Rookes Lane which is closest to the play area (SO41 8FP), alternatively a larger carpark (free) on the other side of Woodside, off Ridgeway Lane. There are public WCs near the Rookes Lane carpark.
Dogs are permitted in Woodside on and off the lead, plenty of poo bins. The play area, tennis courts and skate park are fenced to keep dogs out.
“This is really fun because there’s lots of stuff to do in all the gardens.”
“We love running around in the trees and its easy to scoot about so that’s cool.”
“The skate park is so awesome.”
For younger children:
For older children:
Older children will also enjoy the skate park and the tennis courts. Woodside is also the home to Lymington Mariners Rugby Club, Lymington Croquet Club and other sports. The sports pavilion has recently been refurbished and sells refreshments when open. Picnics possible in the gardens.
Bath Road offers a fabulous outlook across Lymington River, with plenty of boating eye candy! Set to the side of the Bath Road green, which also houses the town bandstand and a small lake. There are paths ideal for scooting (take care near the lake - we’ve seen a few children take a dive in our time…) and the start of a lovely walk past the yacht club and sea water baths. A short, pleasant walk away is the kiosk at the Sea Water Baths, selling ice creams, hot drinks and other refreshments.
Bath Road is an easy walk from Lymington (SO41 3SE). There’s a public carpark (pay and display or long stay clock) by the Sea Water Baths and yacht clubs which is closest to the play area, alternatively a some road parking along Bath Road. There are public WCs in the Bath Road carpark by the slipway. Picnics possible, several benches along the river front.
Dogs are not permitted in the play area, but are allowed on the green, where there are poo bins. Check our Events Calendar to find summer music and arts events around the Bandstand on the green.
“We love this play area and also like scooting on the paths outside.”
"This is a cool playground. When my brother was younger, he used love watching the ferry coming in and out from the top of the climbing frame."
For younger children:
For older children:
Situated in a residential area, off Lower Buckland Road (SO41 9DH), this recently refurbished play area is a hidden gem for children in Lymington. Fenced with a gate, dogs are not permitted inside, however some space around the edge to exercise dogs (with poo bins). There are several benches inside play area.
There is tricky parking and no public WC. However, it is a short stroll from Lymington and nearby opposite the end of Lower Buckland Road is the popular Monkey House pub.
“Really good because its new.”
“Great for older and younger children.”
For younger children:
For older children:
The closest play area to the centre of Lymington and sometimes rather busy (such as after school in the summer term), this play area offers fun for children of all ages and is particularly well equipped for younger children. It’s ideal, in fact, for families with younger and older children, as there is something for everyone in the same area. It also benefits from shady trees; a blessing in the warmer months!
Park nearby in the Barfields or Emsworth Road (SO41 9AW) town carparks (pay and display or town carpark clock), the nearest public WC is a short walk away in New Street. No refreshments in the immediate vicinity (but again, an easy walk from the High Street and all it has to offer!)
Dogs are not permitted in the play area. The grassed area next to the play area houses the Lymington Petanque (boules) area.
“A great playground for a quick play, but sometimes busy.”
For younger children:
For older children:
The play area at Pennington Common was updated last year by the Town Council and now provides a great selection of play equipment. Our experts recommended it highly, mainly because there’s so much space to run around. Dogs are not permitted in the play area, however there’s plenty of space for them to be exercised beforehand on the common, which has several poo bins.
No WC or refreshments (although a short stroll to One Stop and Tesco), parking is possible to the sides of the common off Ramley Road and Wainsford Road (SO41 8HF). There's plenty of potential for a bit of off-road cycling.
“We love this play area and all the space around for running and cycling.”
At the other end of Wainsford Road, Everton's recreation ground is another hidden gem. On road parking is possible in Greenmead Avenue. There is no public WC and no nearby refreshments - bring your own picnic!
Dogs are permitted on the recreation ground and there are poo bins. There is a fitness section alongside the older children’s area and although technically for adults, the children are drawn to it!
“Its a bit different - we love the zipwire!”
“Separate areas could make it difficult for parents with lots of different aged kids.”
For younger children in an enclosed area:
The fenced area is dog-free and has seating.
For older children, a short walk from the enclosed play area and alongside the football pitch
The experts have decided to visit more local playgrounds this summer. Check back for more details soon!
October 2016 - Pennington updated 2018
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