SWC Walk 62 Lymington to Barton-on-Sea (+ bus to New Milton station – or a 2.5 km walk) Length: 16.9 km (10.5 mi) [longer options possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 104m; Net Walking Time: 3 ½ hours
Toughness: 2/10
Take the 09.35 Weymouth train from Waterloo (not stopping CJ), change Brockenhurst [arrives 11.04 (Platform 3), departs 11.12 (Platform 4)]; arrives Lymington Town 11.20.
Buy a cheap off-peak day return to New Milton for £16 on the SWT-website or at the station ticket office (but not the machines) before midnight the night before.
You may have to buy a single extension Brockenhurst – Lymington Town on the train.
(Fast) return trains from New Milton are on xx.37 (journey time 1 ¾ hours).
A delightful and varied coastal walk starting at the attractive seaside town of Lymington in the New Forest. Passing by the colourful quay and yacht basin, the route joins the
Solent Way which winds through tranquil salt marshes and a nature reserve, where many different types of birds and wildflowers can be spotted. After lunch there is a
short stretch of esplanade walking followed by a very
gentle cliff top path with
fine views of the Needles and the Isle of Wight. Tea is at the
Beachcomber Café which has a lawned outside seating area overlooking the sea. This is an easy, fairly flat walk and the directions are straightforward and consequently minimal.
There are reported to be excellent
swimming opportunities all along the stretch of coast from the Needles café (possible lunch stop) onwards. However the very best spot for a swim, if you like
sandy beaches, is
right at the end. Take the wide sloping concrete path down to the beach, just to the left of the Beachcomber Café and turn
right once you reach the beach. After following the shoreline for 400m and two breakwaters you will find a half-sandy beach, i.e. pebble bank and sandy shore below. Further beyond is a rather spectacularly situated cliff top café with panoramic views:
The Pebble Beach.
Walk Options:
You can walk out-and-back to
Hurst Castle along a spit out in to the sea between the Solent and the Isle of White with commanding views (
adds 5 km).
But you can
catch a ferry out to the spit from Keyhaven harbour, and only walk back along it (
adds 1.5 km net).
You can walk from Barton-on-Sea to New Milton station, rather than waiting for the bus which doesn't connect well with the train (adds 2.5 km).
Lunch Options:
The Gun Inn, Keyhaven (01590 642 391). Located 9.3 km from the start of the walk. This is the pub lunch stop. It’s just back from the coast after the yacht club car park.
The Marine, Milford-on-Sea. A large art deco cafe bar just behind the coast path, 10.7 km from the start. Try the roof terrace - the ground floor cafe doesn't have a sea view.
The Needles Eye Café, Milford-on-Sea (01590 642 458). Recommended. Located 10.8 km from the start of the walk.
Tea Options:
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