With its bustling marina, a picturesque harbour, and a lively atmosphere, not to mention a great selection of bijou boutiques and upmarket seafood restaurants, it is no wonder this quaint cobbled town on the England's south coast is often compared to the French Riveria.
Like its sophisticated counterparts across in the South of France, Lymington in Hampshire, offers all the attractions of seaside towns like Cannes, Antibes, Menton and St Tropez. With its perfect mix of country, coast and cobbled streets, wonderful high street and beautiful quay, it is no wonder comparisons are made, especially as this is one of the wealthiest coastal towns in the UK and on the doorstep of the New Forest too.
Situated on the west bank of the Lymington River, on the edge of the Solent, Lymington is a major yachting centre with three marinas.
The town has it’s own Quay and connects with wonderful walks along the seawall at Keyhaven Nature Reserve looking out onto the coast. It’s closest beaches are Milford on Sea and Barton on Sea.
Also close by are Lepe Beach, Highcliffe Beach, Steamer Point Beach, Friars Cliff Beach and Avon Beach.
But it is the marina, home to hundreds of glistening yachts and boats, that makes it so reminiscent of the French Riveria and showcases just how popular a destination Lymington is for sailing.
Lymington Yacht Haven also has its own bar and restaurant, where you can sit back and look out over the water from the terrace.
The 1980s TV sailing drama Howard's Way was set in and around Lymington as well as other locations on the south coast. The show used Lymington and the surrounding areas like Bursledon, Swanwick, and Warsash as filming locations.
The fictional town of Tarrant, where the series was set, was based on the beauty of the River Hamble, the Solent, and the Hampshire coastline.
The Lymington Harbour Guide says: "From waterfront restaurants, historic pubs, fine dining, quirky cafes and bars, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink in Lymington with plenty of options just a short stroll from the Quay."
Among its more upmarket eateries is the Michelin Guide recommended Elderflower. At the helm are husband and wife team Andrew and Marjolaine Du Bourg, each boasting over 20 years experience working in some of the top restaurants in England and France.
With its strong maritime connections, it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that Lymington was once famous for smuggling. The vicar of the Church of St Thomas once used to allow smugglers to store their contraband within the church’s tower.
The town began as an Anglo-Saxon village and is recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Lentune'. From the Middle Ages and up to the 19th century, Lymington was well-known for its salt making and from the early 19th century a thriving ship building industry.
Much of the architecture you see today in Lymington is Georgian and Victorian. The high street, which looks predominantly Georgian, is in fact made up of an eclectic mix of Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco with some traces of Medieval architecture.
At the top of the high street sits the Church of St Thomas. A church has been at this location since the mid-thirteenth century and parts of the current church date back from the early thirteenth century.
Over subsequent centuries, architectural additions have been added to the building including the tower and cupola. Within the church, take a look at the magnificent glass doors and needlework.
