Does the New Forest Coast ever enter the mind? Most of us would associate the New Forest with beautiful ancient woodland and tranquil heathland settings.
However, for coastal lovers and beach goers there is welcome news! Far from being a destination featuring an infinity of trees and amazing verdant vistas, another spectacular landscape awaits the visitor. A landscape borne of winds and tides, of mystery and intrigue. This captivating scenery offers both drama and serenity depending on the ever changing weather and invites you to sample its wares…
You might be surprised to hear that in addition to the 193,000 acres of wooded areas that encompass the New Forest, there are in fact 40 miles of stunning coastline to also explore and enjoy.
Coast On The Doorstep
Just a short drive from your accommodation, be it a campsite in the New Forest, a holiday cottage or perhaps a local New Forest hotel, you will be delighted to find a coast laden with impressive cliffs and gorgeous beaches. There is something for everyone along this 40 mile expanse of coast, the choices are limitless. Enjoy the nature reserves that can be found at Lepe Country Park near Beaulieu or Hengitsbury Head near Christchurch. Take a stroll along The Solent Way at Lymington to observe the variety of seabirds that make this area of outstanding natural beauty their home. Keep your eyes peeled for the Kingfishers! Alternatively, if a faster pace of life suits then why not head down to the famous Bournemouth beaches which always make for a favourite family day out.
Discover the Salt Marshes at Keyhaven, walk along the sandy beach at Highcliffe, or even learn about the smuggling in the area, a popular pastime in days gone by. It might seem strange, but the New Forest Coastline is very much a part of the local community and greatly contributes to the overall experience when you visit the New Forest National Park. It`s well worth taking a look!
There are many beautiful beaches to enjoy a walk and breathe in the fresh sea air. Take your family, friends, even your pooch and enjoy the wonderful coast together.
Absorb the stunning views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and the Needles from many of our Towns and Villages on the beautiful New Forest Coast.
Coastal History
The coastal history differs to the rest of the New Forest. This includes the contrasting wildlife and unique flora and fauna. The famous tales of smuggling that blighted this stretch of coast. Long-lost industry, the military presence and the popularity of its Western end as a beach destination.
The tranquillity of this coast and the inaccessibility of much of the foreshore are what keeps the wildlife returning year on year. This includes wildfowl, egrets, herons, birds of prey and even the much loved New Forest Ponies. They can occasionally be seen rolling in sand-patches on the isolated beaches.
Those of you who want to get closer to what the New Forest Coastline has to offer, there are plenty of companies to help you make the most of this secret gem. Escape Yachting at Milford-on-Sea will help you get on the water and New Forest Activities offer canoeing tours of nearby Beaulieu River or sea kayaking.
Long lasting impressions and happy memories surely await those who want to expand beyond the realms of the more well known New Forest woodlands. Taking the time to explore this unspoiled stretch of beautiful coastline will be an experience you will never forget.
CALSHOT BEACH
Calshot Beach can be found at the very edge of the New Forest along a spit. It forms part of the mouth of Southampton Water and is an excellent spot to watch tankers and cruise ships go by. Water sports can be a popular activity along this mile long shingle bank and these can include windsurfing, kite-surfing and sailing. Calshot Castle is also located here and was one of Henry VIII’s many artillery forts. It can be explored at the end of the spit.
- Long-stay car park
- Dogs welcome between October 1st and April 30th
- Cafe and shop on-site
- Toilets on-site
- Beach huts for hire
LEPE BEACH AND COUNTRY PARK
Lepe Country Park is located in the south-eastern corner of the New Forest and covers around a mile of coastline. With fabulous views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight, Lepe Beach is surrounded by cliffs and above these is a large area of grassland covered with pine trees that makes it the perfect spot for a picnic. During low tide, the shingle beach and mudflats become more exposed and wartime defences can then be seen and are found at the eastern end of the beach. Photographers are drawn to the popular Lepe Lighthouse to capture a shot of this impressive focal point on the shoreline.
- Long-stay car park
- Disabled access: all-terrain wheelchair for hire
- Dogs welcome year-round in country park, April-September only on the beach
- Shop and cafe on site
NORTH SOLENT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
The North Solent National Nature Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in Hampshire and is found entirely within the New Forest. This area of outstanding natural beauty meets both the sea and the mouth of the Beaulieu River and it follows much of the river estuary through heathland, ancient woodland and valley mires. Marshland can be found by the coastline where rare bird species are spotted nesting or hunting their next meal.
- Parking available in Beaulieu
- Dogs welcome year-round
- Disabled access on the Solent Way
- Facilities in Beaulieu village
KEYHAVEN AND HURST SPIT
Keyhaven is a pictureque, small and quiet coastal village. It is also the gateway to the Keyhaven to Lymington Nature Reserve. The salt marshes cover around 500 acres and the popular Solent Way passes through this lovely reserve, making it easy to explore on foot. The area is especially rich in birdlife and quite often kingfishers can be seen dipping in and out of the dykes that criss cross the reserve. Jutting out of the headland is Hurst Spit, a mile-long bank of shingle that approaches the magnificent Hurst Castle. The castle is a 16th century artillery fort that defended this part of the coast back in the days of Henry VIII. Walk along the spit to reach the castle, or you can also take a pleasant ferry ride there from Keyhaven.
- Long-stay car parks
- Dogs welcome year-round
- Disabled access: smooth footpaths
- Shops and places to eat in Keyhaven and Lymington
MILFORD-ON-SEA
Milford-on-Sea is a traditional seaside village and enjoys a range of good places to eat and shop alongside its pretty coastal scenery. Colourful beach huts stand in line along the long shingle beach, which looks out across the Solent as well as to Hengistbury Head. Christchurch Harbour and the Purbeck Hills can also be seen in the distance. Milford-on-Sea is sandwiched between Barton-on-Sea and Keyhaven which both can be found close by.
- 3 car parks
- Dogs welcome year-round
- Toilets on-site
- Cafe and ice-cream kiosk on-site
- Beach huts for hire
BARTON-ON-SEA
Barton-on-Sea straddles the border between Hampshire and Dorset. Its beautiful location affords the visitor some magnificent coastal walks over the clifftops. Those seeking longer-distance walks can find the beginning of the Solent Way footpath which lies just a stone’s throw away. Barton-on-Sea is well known for its fossil beds and this stony, sandy beach is also a great place for swimming.
- 3 car parks
- Dogs welcome between October 1st and April 30th
- Toilets on-site
- Cafe, restaurant and shop available
- Beach huts for hire
HIGHCLIFFE
Highcliffe is a pleasant little town on the coast and is Dorset’s most easterly beach. The main high street runs parallel with the beach which is situated below the impressive tree lined cliffs. Highcliffe is a mere five-minute drive from the border of the New Forest and enjoys a lovely stretch of beach made up of sand and shingle. This popular little town also has all of the amenities you could need. Highcliffe Castle is located just off the main road that runs through the town and boasts stunning views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and beyond. Tours of the many rooms are available and there are opportunities to walk around the surrounding gardens and grounds. Highcliffe Castle also has a nice little cafe in the grounds that offers local fresh food, beverages and delightful cream teas.
- Long-stay car park
- Disabled access: tarmac paths at eastern end of the beach
- Dogs welcome between October 1st and April 30th
- Toilets on-site
- Cafe on-site
STEAMER POINT NATURE RESERVE
Steamer Point sits on a long stretch of Dorset’s coastline and attracts a variety of wildlife through its aquatic habitats and woodland. Walking paths make their way through the pretty wood and past two ponds which are always buzzing with life. The quiet stretch of beach can be found below the cliffs and access to it is either from Highcliffe Castle to the east or a mile-long path from Friar’s Cliff Beach to the west.
- Long-stay car park
- Dogs welcome between October 1st and April 30th
- Toilets on-site
Friars Cliff Beach
Friars Cliff Beach is situated just to the east of Avon Beach and is lesser-known than its neighbour. The beach consists of both sand and stone and beach huts line the back of the promenade. With outstanding views out to sea, you can easily observe the Isle of Wight from here and down to Hengitsbury Head away to the west. It’s also the western starting point for a scenic walk through the Steamer Point Nature Reserve.
- Parking at Steamer Point car park
- Dogs welcome between October 1st and April 30th
- Toilets and showers on-site
- Cafe, restaurant and shop available
- Beach huts for hire
AVON BEACH
Avon Beach is found in Mudeford on the outskirts of Christchurch and boasts a lovely sandy beach. It enjoys views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and The Needles. Avon Beach makes the perfect day out for families looking for a picnic and a chance to get out the bucket and spade. The beach also has an area dedicated to water sports. You will find it has a range of facilities suitable for everyone so you can truly make the most of a day out here. There are beach huts for hire, a children’s play area, a café and an ice cream kiosk which is always popular.
- Ample parking
- Disabled access
- Dogs welcome between October 1st and April 30th
- Toilets and showers on-site
- Cafe, restaurant and shop available
- Beach huts for hire
HENGITSBURY HEAD
Hengitsbury Head is a fantastic nature reserve that is home to a variety of wildlife, which includes 300 different bird species. Incorporating woodland, heathland and saltmarsh, Hengitsbury Head is a prominent feature of this stretch of coast and juts out of the mainland between Bournemouth and Christchurch. It is a great place for all the family to visit and is just a few miles west of the New Forest. Walks can be taken across the headland on the paths, which are safe underfoot or along the beach. A land train also runs from the car park to the spit and harbour entrance. A Visitor Centre is also established at Hengitsbury Head, where you can learn more about the area’s geology, ecology and archaeology. A popular cafe is also on site that serves up delicious food and drinks of your choice.
- Long stay car park
- Disabled access: smooth paths, land train and Land Rover service
- Dogs welcome year-round
- Toilets on-site
- Food and drink available