BEACHES
 
Avon Beach, Highcliffe – sandy and some pebbles
Directions: Take the A35 towards Christchurch. At Sainsburys turn left at the main roundabout. Take a right turn at the next roundabout. Proceed about a mile and a half – on the sharp bend you will see the sign for Avon Beach – take a left into the car park. The currents have produced a sandbank out to sea forming a safe lagoon for bathers in low tide. Nice restaurant and gift shop.
 
Highcliffe Castle Beach – sandy and some pebbles
Directions: Take A35 towards Christchurch. At Sainsburys turn left at the main roundabout. Straight over the next roundabout. About ¾ mile you will see the signpost to Highcliffe Castle – take a right turn – car parking is behind the castle. You will need to walk through the woods down to the beach. There is a pleasant tea shop at the Castle.
 
Milford on Sea and Keyhaven - pebbles
Directions: Through New Milton follow the road to Lymington and turn where indicated. Very peaceful and lovely views of the Isle of Wight. Plenty of boating and water sports.
 
Southbourne, Boscombe and Bournemouth Beaches - sandy
Directions: Take A35 to Christchurch. Follow the signs through the town to Southbourne & Boscombe. There is parking along the cliff top. Lovely sandy beaches all along the coast right to Bournemouth. You can walk to Bournemouth if you are feeling energetic.
 
PLACES OF INTEREST
 
Brownsea Island
 
Take the ferry from Poole Quay which drops you on the Island. Brownsea Island is owned by the National Trust. There are no vehicles allowed. You will need a good pair of walking shoes as you can walk right round the island which will take you the best part of a day to complete. This is the home of the red squirrel and a sea bird sanctuary. You can view the many birds from the viewing platform. There is a country restaurant where the ducks and peacocks watch you eat.
 
On your return the ferry will take you past Brownsea Island Castle and round the many islands in Poole Bay. It is amazing to find out how many barrels of oil are extracted each day from the Bay and pumped to Southampton via an underground pipe.
When you land you might like to visit the famous Poole Pottery shop
 
Christchurch
 
This historic priory town is well worth a visit. You can walk through the peaceful grounds of the priory on your way to the Quay.
 
 
Christchurch is famous for its swans and you can feed them on the quayside
 
 
MARKETS
 
Christchurch open air Art and Craft market – 10am – 4pm each Thursday
 
Lymington market – Saturdays
A general market selling vegetables, clothes, household bric-a-brac and crafts
 
Hythe market - Tuesday
 
GARDENS
 
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Nr Beaulieu
Tel: 0238 089 1203
Open daily from 28th February to 31st October. Santa specials in December
Set in 200 acre tranquil woodland setting, created in the 1920s by Lionel de Rothschild. Part of the gardens can be seen with rides on the miniature steam railway train. Plant centre, gift shop and restaurant.
 
Everton Water Gardens
Newlands Manor Farm, Everton, Lymington SO41 OJH
Tel 01590 644405
Once a favourite retreat of King Edward V this beautiful garden provides a home to a variety of carp and other pond fish, frogs, dragonflies and other wildlife. Shop where pond equipment can be purchased.
 
MacPennys of Bransgore Garden Centre
Burley Road, Bransgore, Nr Christchurch
Tel 01425 672348 – open Mon – Sat 9am – 5pm Sun and Bank hols 10am – 5pm
 
Stewarts Garden Centre
Somerfield, Christchurch (Nr Sainsburys on the A35)
A variety of garden plants and equipment. Also pond equipment. Restaurant. Country clothes shop in the complex.
 
Redcliffe Garden Centre, Bashley Village
Variety of plants and garden equipment. Tea room where home made cakes are sold.
 
FISHING
 
Sea fishing trips from Keyhaven
Tel 01425 612896
Summertime specials, June, July and August – 3 hour mackerel trips and 6 hour deep sea fishing trips
 
Hordle Lakes
Golden Hill, Ashley Lane, Hordle, Nr New Milton
Tel 077798 954799 or 01590 672300
An attractive established fishery, which offers superb facilities all year round. Set in 11 acres, it comprises 7 individual spring fed lakes. Easy parking and walking is minimal. Larger lakes have double figure Carp and other species such as Bream, Tench, Perch, Rudd and Roach.
 
 
BOAT TRIPS
Puffin Cruises
Lymington Town Quay
Tel 07850 947618 daytime – 01590 644004 evenings
Daily ferry service to Yarmouth IOW
2 hour cruises to needles Rocks & Lighthouse Cruise
Lunchtime and evening specials with 2 hour ashore in Yarmouth
1 hour Hurst Castle and Yarmouth cruises
25 River & Marina trips
 
Christchurch Quay
Boat trips to Hengisbury Head beach. A lovely peaceful trip across the sheltered bay following the reed beds. See many swans and sea birds
When you land you catch the land train to Hengisbury Head and walk right up the hill if you feel energetic. You will see the many beach huts many of which are now fetching over £100,000 each!
 
NEW FOREST
 
Follow the route in Reg’s Corner
 
CARS, TRANSPORT AND MOTORCYCLES
 
The Sammy Miller motorcycle museum & Farm Trust
Bashley Manor, Bashley Cross Road, New Milton BH25 5SZ
Tel 01425 620777
Open daily 10am – 4.30
Tea rooms, craft shop, children's swings, gypsy caravan, farm machinery, candle shop
 
Beaulieu Motor Museum
John Montague Building, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN
Home to 250 motor vehicles from the first motor car up to the present day. See the park by monorail. Visit Beaulieu Palace House and Abbey. Gift shop, children's playground and restaurant. You will need a whole day to see all of the attractions at this park!
 
Bucklers Hard
Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZX
Tel 01590 616203
Fascinating place to visit featuring exhibition of life in a labourers cottage in the 1800s. This is where many famous warships for Nelson fleet were build. Now home to a large marina. Boat trips are offered on the River Hamble regularly all day during the summer.
 
RIDING
 
Burley-Villa School of Riding
Bashley Common Road, New Milton, BH25 5SH
Tel 01425 610278
Enjoy trail riding through the beautiful New Forest in full Western outfit. English riding, new forest hacking, holiday groups, beginner lessons, private lessons, jumping lessons, kindergarten lessons.