The New Forest
The New Forest covers just under 219 square miles, it was established in approximately 1079 for private hunting by William I and has remained largely undeveloped ever since. In 2005 The New Forest was made a National Park ensuring its beautiful landscape remains unspoiled, offering a unique blend of woodland, heathlands, greens, mires and coastal marshes. With horses, donkeys, cows and pigs roaming freely, the National Park is free to be enjoyed by everyone with many routes established through all parts of the forest for walking, cycling, horse riding, or many people simply enjoy taking in the view whilst driving.
Lymington
Lymington was named by the Daily Telegraph as the best seaside resort town. "The Georgian market town, on the southern edge of the New Forest, which has two marinas, two sailing clubs, and cobbled streets, came first in the study of the country's finest seaside resorts in 2008".
The study, using government statistics, measured house prices and lifestyle factors including school league tables, the crime rate, local employment, amenities and transport links. Weather statistics, including hours of sunshine and temperatures, were also taken into account along with the quality of the waterfront. (Daily Telegraph June 2008) This beautiful picturesque market town is equal distance between Southampton and Bournemouth, at the western end of the Solent opposite Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. Surrounded by natural beauty, approximately one and half hours train journey from London, it has a ferry service to the Isle of Wight. The High Street leads to the cobbled streets down to the Quay and River.
Lymington offers an extensive range of shops from large household names such as M&S Simply Food and WH Smiths to independent boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and tea rooms. There are also a variety of hair salons and beauticians to choose from. Saturdays provide a vibrant atmosphere throughout the town as the market attracts many locals and visitors from throughout the forest and beyond. Lymington is the ideal location for those who enjoy water sports with two marinas and sailing clubs holding access to the Solent and a short drive away from beaches.
Being so close to the New Forest it also offers the perfect location for those who enjoy horse riding, walking and cycling. The town offers a nine-hole golf course, rowing club, community centre, library, small cinema, bowls club and tennis club. Lymington Recreation Centre offers an indoor swimming pool and many fitness classes, whilst during the summer months there is an outdoor seawater baths next to the River with a hundred years of heritage. There is also a Cricket Club, Football Club, Skateboard Park and children's play areas.
From a more practical view Lymington also offers churches of all faiths, infant, junior and secondary schools all within walking distance from the town.
Pennington
Lymington's closest neighbour leads to the picturesque salt marshes on the Solent shore to the South and backs on to the New Forest National Park to the north. One mile from Lymington High Street, Pennington village offers schools for all ages and a Sure Start centre for young families.
Pennington has all of the essentials you could need, from the convenience store to a sandwich bar, a variety of takeaway food outlets and pubs. Pennington also offers a number of quiet country lanes an historic public common (included in the National Park) and sports centre for the more strenuous activities.
Brockenhurst
A popular rural village, Brockenhurst is located in the New Forest, with ponies, cows and donkeys roaming freely through the village. The village offers a selection of shops including a Tesco Metro, traditional tea rooms, restaurants, inns, a village school and Brockenhurst College.
It is four miles from Lyndhurst, offering access to the M27 and beyond. Situated on a main train line it is popular with commuters and only one and a half hours from central London.
Everton
Everton is a pleasant village with a church, community centre, village shop/post office, sports ground, community pavilion and traditional pub.
Situated a few miles north of Milford on Sea and west of Lymington, Everton offers a peaceful local village ideal for families and those seeking a quiet lifestyle.
Milford on Sea
Milford on Sea is situated on the waters edge west of Lymington, with stunning views of the Needles and Isle of Wight directly as you look out to sea, Hurst Castle to the east and views to Hengisbury Head and Christchuch harbour to the west.
The thriving community centres on the village green, enjoying many festivals throughout the year. Milford on Sea offers an array of useful shops, restaurants, pubs, churches, a tennis club and a bowling green. It also boasts a popular primary school, catering for children from five to eleven years of age.
Keyhaven
To the east of Milford Village is the sought after coastal hamlet of Keyhaven, situated on the river it has a sailing club, boat yard, and the historical Hurst Castle built by Henry VIII located at the end of a two mile shingle spit which is popular with walkers and bird watchers.
The name "Keyhaven" means 'Harbour where cows are shipped'. Cattle and sheep were transported from the Isle of Wight to the water meadows of the Avon around Christchurch.
Hordle
A few miles cycle ride from the forest and the beaches, Hordle is situated between the Solent coast and borders of the New Forest. It is a small village with a selection of shops including a convenience store, takeaway, pub and pharmacy.
Hordle has a preschool and junior school, play area for children, tennis courts, community centre, church and a post office. The village has an active family community feel.
Boldre, East Boldre, Norley Wood, Pilley and East End
A hundred years ago, W.H. Hudson described these villages as "a land of secret green, out of the world places". Surrounded by the New Forest these villages are a short distance from the foreshores of the Solent. They afford beautiful quiet areas with horses and cows roaming freely, lovely country lanes, beautiful churches and traditional inns.
Sway & Tiptoe
The pleasant village of Sway is located on the southern edge of the New Forest, within the National Park, ideal for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, with horse riding schools located around the village.
It is a quiet forest village offering a range of shops, pubs, restaurants and a village school. Sway also offers a main line railway station with fast and frequent services to Bournemouth, Southampton, London Waterloo and beyond.
To the west of Sway is Tiptoe which is a quiet hamlet of traditional homes on the edge of the forest. It offers a primary school and preschool, post office, community centre and is a short cycle ride from local forest inns.
Schools in the New Forest
Primary Schools
Lymington CoE Infant School
Avenue Road
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 9GP
T: 01590 673355
www.lymington-inf.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 1 Outstanding
Lymington Junior School
Avenue Road
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 9GP
T: 01590 674383
www.lymington-jun.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 2 Good
Pennington Infant School
Priestlands Road
Pennington
Hampshire
SO41 8HX
T: 01590 672910
www.pennington-inf.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 3 Satisfactory
Pennington CoE Junior School
Priestlands Road
Pennington
Hampshire
SO41 8HX
T: 01590 672104
www.pennington-jun.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 2 Good
Our Lady and St Jospeh Catholic Primary School
Ramley Road
Pennington
Hampshire
SO41 8GY
T: 01590 672711
www.ourladyst-joseph.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 3 Satisfactory
Brockenhurst Church of England School
Sway Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7RX
T: 01590 623163
www.brockprimary.co.uk
Ofsted rating: Overall Effectiveness - 2 Good
Milford on Sea CoE Primary School
Lymington Road
Milford on Sea
Hampshire
SO41 0RF
T: 01590 642945
www.milford-on-sea.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 2 Good
Hordle CoE Primary School
Hordle Lane
Hordle
Hampshire
SO41 0FB
01425 611657
www.hordle.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 2 Good
Ashley Junior School
Ashley Road
New Milton
Hampshire
BH25 5BP
T: 01425 616510
www.ashleyjunior.co.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 3 Satisfactory
William Gilpin Church of England Primary School
Pilley Hill
Boldre
Hampshire
SO41 5QG
T: 01590 673460
www.williamgilpin.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 3 Satisfactory
South Baddesley CoE Primary School
South Baddesley
Hampshire
SO41 5RP
T: 01590 626243
www.southbaddesley.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 1 Outstanding
St Lukes CoE Primary School
Westbeams Road
Sway
Hampshire
SO41 6AE
T: 01590 682431
www.st-lukes.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 1 Outstanding
Tiptoe Primary
Wootton Road
Tiptoe
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 6FU
T: 01590 682375
www.tiptoe.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted rating: Overall Effectiveness – 3 Satisfactory
Secondary
Priestlands
North Street
Pennington
Lymington
SO41 8FZ
www.priestlands.hants.sch.uk
T: 01590 677033
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness – 1 Outstanding
The Arnewood School
Gore Road
New Milton
BH25 6RS
T: 01425 625400
www.arnewood.hants.sch.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall effectiveness of school - 2 Good
6th Form
Brockenhurst College
Lyndhurst Road
Brockenhurst
SO42 7ZE
T: 01590 625555
www.brock.ac.uk
Ofsted Rating: Overall Effectiveness - 1 Outstanding
The Arnewood School
Gore Road
New Milton
BH25 6RS
T: 01425 625400
www.arnewood.hants.sch.uk/post_16.htm
Ofsted Rating: Overall effectiveness of school - 2 Good
Independent Schools
Hordle Walhampton School
Lymington
SO41 5ZG
T: 01590 672013
www.hordlewalhampton.co.uk
Ballard School
Fernhill Lane
New Milton
BH25 5SU
T: 01425 611153
www.ballardschool.co.uk
Durlston Court School
Becton Lane
Barton on Sea
New Milton
BH25 7AQ
T: 01425 610010
www.durlstoncourt.co.uk