Seaside Towns Close To Careys Manor Hotel

Just when you thought this magnificent National Park couldn’t get any more wonderful, we tell you that there’s 26 miles of stunning coastline just waiting for you arrival.

Just a short drive from the hotel are the small seaside towns of Milford and Barton. Both are home to glorious beaches with views of the Isle of Wight which seems just a stones through away (it’s not, but it does feel close!). If you’d prefer to travel a little bit further, Highcliffe, Christchurch and Bournemouth aren’t far away. So here’s a little guide to the seaside towns in our area.

Bournemouth

This bustling town has all you need for a delightful day out at the seaside. There’s plenty of sand to stroll along, restaurants along the beach to dine in and a giant zip wire from Bournemouth pier to the mainland for those of you who are feeling adventurous. Every August the town hosts the famous Bournemouth Air Show and visitors in their hundreds of thousands set up picnics along the cliff top and the beach to watch hours of historical planes taking to the skies showing off fantastic displays.

How can I get there? Hop on the train at Brockenhurst station with a picnic basket full of prosecco and sandwiches and you’ll arrive in Bournemouth about 30 minutes later. Alternatively it’s accessible via the A35 and takes about 35 minutes by car.

Christchurch

This small town is filled with character and plenty of indulgence. Home to the beautiful Christchurch Priory and castle ruins with the river Stour and Avon running through, the town has access to the sea and has a lovely little quay for you to walk along. There’s plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, gift shops and bars for the perfect day out if you’d prefer to keep the sand at a distance and spend time mostly in land.

How do I get there? Christchurch station is on the same line as Brockenhurst so by train is possible and takes about 20-25 minutes. It is also accessible by car and will take about 25 minutes. Bus services also run from Lymington through to Highcliffe too.

Highcliffe

Just down the road from Christchurch is the quiet town of Highcliffe. This town is home to the famous Highcliffe Castle which is certainly worth exploring and has its own access to a wonderful sandy beach. Bring your picnic and towel and set up for the day along this lovely part of Dorset.

How do I get there? You can access Highcliffe by train from Brockenhurst by hopping off at Hinton Admiral Station. Alternatively there is a bus service from Lymington and can also be accessed by car within around 20 minutes.

Barton

Along from Highcliffe and into the New Forest territory is Barton. The beaches are cobbled but never the less have plenty of character, things to see and do and still make for a great day out on the coast. The views of the Isle of Wight get better and better the most you head this way and there’s wide open cliff tops with benches for you to sit on and admire the view too.

How do I get there? By car you can drive to Barton in around 15-20 minutes however during the summer months you can hop on a bus right outside the hotel as part of the New Forest Tour which will take you into the heart of the town.

Milford

The closest of the seaside towns, Milford is a lovely little village with plenty to see and do. We recommend walking along the Solent Way. One of the local walks along this area is from Milford to Lymington, about 10 miles. With spectacular views of the Needles at the Isle of Wight, the route takes you right up to the lovely port of Lymington.

How do I get there? Simply hop in the car and drive about 10 minutes down the road or alternatively put your helmet on and cycle or again, hop on the New Forest Tour Bus.

For the best of both worlds stay at our New Forest hotel for your UK staycation this year. View our latest breaks and special offers online today.