Lymington - The Solent Way - Pennington and Keyhaven Marshes - Lymington

Richard Clayton

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If you don't know Lymington, or haven't walked the coast path south of the town, this will introduce you to the heart of this attractive old town, to the quay and the famous seawater swimming-pool, and to the Solent Way as it follows the coast around through the nature reserves of Pennington Marshes and Keyhaven Marshes.

We planned it and recommend it as a walk after arriving at Lymington Town Station on the branch line from Brockenhurst. If you are amateur birdwatchers and pick the right time of year, it can be a great day for totting up new species! If you like boats and the sea, it's a great day as well!

The pub at Keyhaven, the Gun Inn (Waymark 13), appears to be at the furthest point, but in terms of time is about two-thirds of the way around.

Lymington, which you can dawdle through at the end of the return leg, is well-known for its Georgian architecture, with the High Street dominated by Georgian buildings. The Parish Church of St Thomas the Apostle (near Waymark 25) has 18th Century galleries and some architectural features which are over 600 years old.

England - South England - Hampshire - Coast

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Mostly Flat, Museum, Nature Trail, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Sea, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife

5/27/2015 - Anthony Miller

Just back from doing this walk (27 May 2015). I understand why the walk starts in Lymington (train link) but, if travelling by car, I would agree with the previous comment about starting from Keyhaven; you get the inland part of route over with first. A couple of updates to the route: wp14 - the old metal gate is no longer there and it looks as if the path has been resurfaced; wp18 - the disused farm buildings are currently being refurbished. As far as a rating goes, the inland section is nothing special (2 stars?) but the major part of the walk along the Solent Way is full of interest, so 4 stars overall.

4/26/2011 - Patricia Daw

Completed this excellent walk today in lovely weather. We decided to start from Keyhaven and it's worth noting that if you're lucky, turn left by The Gun Inn, and there is free parking off the road and you can start the walk from point 13. Otherwise the Keyhaven car park will cost £6. By starting the walk here we got the dullest part over first but having said that there are some beautiful properties to have a nose at and the walk brings you in fairly near the top of the High Street. (As a consequence of which we completed the walk with two new sweatshirts for me!). Had lunch in a fishy restaurant down by the quay - name escapes me - OKish. We then did the walk back to the car - the pretty part along The Solent. So many birds - didn't know half of them. Very flat, easy walking.