Wheelchair Accessible Lymington / Lymington self catering holidays

Discover Lymington and Pennington

Our Bench offer family and wheelchair accessible self catering holiday accommodation in Lymington - we would love you to book and stay for a weeks holiday or an out of season break, so we have included a few locations and activity ideas in the Lymington area to enjoy. There are further ideas of places to visit within the New Forest National Park and on some of our favorite Day Trips here. This is not an exhaustive list: facilities, accessibility, costs and opening hours can vary at any time, so we would recommend that you do your own research to check suitability for you!

Lymington Charter Market

Lymington’s Charter Market takes place every Saturday in the bustling High Street from 8am to 4pm and is one of the New Forest’s hidden gems.

There are approximately 100 stalls every week selling a manner of edible treats from olives, breads, cakes, fudge, pies, fruit and vegetables to take home with you. Stalls range from plants, local food produce, household goods and craft items. There is something to suit all budgets, whether looking for a hand crafted gift for a loved one or a special souvenir of your trip. It’s a superb day out. Visit Lymington Market for more details.

Lymington Quay and Quay Hill

At the bottom of Lymington High Street is the cobbled Quay Hill - there is limited access to some of the shops and restaurants due to their historic interest, but if you do brave the cobbles and the hill, round the corner you will discover Lymington Quay. (There is an alternative route - turn right at the bottom of the High Street - follow the road to the left and turn left again.) Lymington is one of the UK’s premier yachting centres and is located in an enviable position at the ‘gateway’ to the western Solent making it a popular destination for sailors, power boaters and cruisers throughout the season. The harbor is easily accessible with deep water access to all visitor mooring areas, pop down to the Quay, watch the sailors, enjoy a river cruise or a pirate boat trip*. Sit on the quayside and enjoy a coffee from one of the nearby coffee shops, a Gin & Tonic or a pint in the sunshine, or dinner overlooking the harbour at the Ship or the Haven.

Children love crabbing on the quayside too and buckets and lines are available in the local shops, or you can borrow one from us. Details about Lymington Harbour.

Lymington Sea Water Baths

Seasonal opening but a fantastic family fun all day - they have 200 metres of inflatable obstacle courses, stand up paddle boards, aqua jousting, children’s splash pool and more. They have disabled access & facilities, currently all sessions need to be prebooked - Sea Water Baths.

Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve

Lymington–Keyhaven Nature Reserve, covers nearly 500 acres between the mouth of the Lymington River and the village of Keyhaven. There are several attractive circular walks on local footpaths which cross the area, the adjacent mudflats and salt marshes are home to huge numbers of migrating birds, you can have fantastic views of the wildlife, enjoy views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Ideal to explore by bike or foot. Nature Reserve Guide and Map of Walks - there are cycle routes available too - so it is possible to hire a bike locally have it delivered to our holiday cottages, so you can cycle alongside someone in a mobility scooter.

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery

St Barbe Museum allows you to discover more about the New Forest coast, it's maritime heritage and how smugglers made profits locally and more. There are interactive exhibits for families, changing exhibitions, an amazing art gallery and a modern independent coffee shop called the Old School Cafe - named after the building in which it is housed. For more details visit St Barbe Museum Web Site - you can read their accessible guide too.

The Malt Cinema

Lymington Cinema is a friendly community cinema, which showcases a number of films and theatre shows. You can see what is on here. It is easy to access and there is wheelchair viewing at all performances.

Lymington Health and Leisure

Lymington has a 25 meter main pool with easy accessible steps and designated accessible changing rooms, there are fun time sessions with floats and toys on both Saturdays and Sundays for families. A gym with various fitness classes, are also available - none members are welcome to use the facilities. You can find there web site here: Lymington Health and Leisure.

Pennington Common

At the end of the road you can discover Pennington Common - this is part of the New Forest National Park and is home to our nearest play park. The common is regularly home to the Coles Fun Fair, the circus and other community events.  There is a short circular walk on the common which details its history and encourages you to discover more.  Details of any events we try and share on our facebook page.

Parks and playgrounds

We were recently asked about disabled friendly playgrounds so have started to collect details from the local parish clerks. In Lymington and Pennington there is wheelchair accessible roundabout at Woodside Park, Rookes Lane, Lymington. Deneside Copse Play Park, Pennington, Lymington has a DDA compliant roundabout and basket swing. (details provided by Lymington town council - May 2019). East Boldre play park has a basket swing. Dudley Avenue play area in Hordle has a ‘roadway’ which has a variety of interactive board for imaginative play and is accessible by gravel paths, as well as nest swings. Carrington Lane Play Park, off Carrington Lane, Milford, has a level access roundabout and a large trampoline onto which a wheelchair can be pushed. Brockenhurst - Highwood Road play area has an inclusive roundabout as well as a fully rubber mulch surface.   

Lymington to Yarmouth Ferry

There are regular ferries from Lymington to the Isle of Wight - it is just a 40 minute crossing. The views from the ferry across the Solent are stunning and there is so much to explore on the island. We would recommend advance booking your day trip - if you are a blue badge holder discounts are available. Once on the island you can choose to explore Yarmouth, take a bus tour, or take a drive on the islands roads - your guide to getting around the Island.

New Forest Adventure Golf

Open all year round, New Forest Adventure* golf is an exciting concept in mini golf built with families in mind. It has been created to mirror the New Forest with 18 holes - the uneven terrain which includes two flowing rivers, Boltens Bench, a landmark in Lyndhurst, a pulley operated ferry! In the summer months there is also a lovely pick your own fruit nearby with picnic area and cafe. Their strawberries taste delicious!

Lymington Sailabilty

Lymington Sailabilty is a charity that provides sailing and power boat opportunities for people with disabilities. It provides a safe environment that still allows the sense of freedom and exhilaration that sailing can give. Whilst they are not a life saving charity, they can be life changing, often giving people trapped by a disability a sense of control and enjoyment they thought they had lost. More details.

Lymington Golf Centre

Lymington golf centre is offers a 9 hole and 18 hole course, open to non-members all year round. Booking is advisable as they hold regular member events and the course can be busy at peak times. Visitors can book up to seven days in advance and the booking number is 01590 689631.

New Forest Tour Bus

A seasonal open top bus guides you through the magical New Forest with an audio commentary bringing the New Forest to life. Two of the routes stop in Lymington, you can enjoy either circular tour or change buses on route. If you are planning on using the routes more than once, check out the offers on their web site. This is a great way to explore especially if you are looking for a car free holiday. Details of routes and timetables can be found here.

Changing Places

There is a changing places toilet on Bath Road in Lymington. Changing places, Lymington. This facility is located close to the slipway, where you can see the local life boat launch, walk along the water front to the right and discover the marines, watch or enjoy the facilities at Lymington's Sea Water Baths - which although established in 1933, now is home to South Coast’s biggest inflatable obstacle course, there is is coffee and ice cream available from the kiosk - so you can just sit outside and enjoy the boats. Alternatively turn right and you discover Bath Road park home to a fantastic children's play area overlooking Lymington River and the Lymington Band Stand which regularly hosts events on Sundays during the summer. Bath Road is also home to a number of artist markets during the summer months and Lymington Sea Food Festival.

We have created a whole web page with information on toilet facilities within the New Forest area. New Forest Public Toilets & Changing Places.

Where shall we eat tonight?

In your holiday cottage

Not everyone wants to go out to eat whilst on holiday - so we have some great ideas to get you started, if you would prefer a quiet evening in.

• Shopping Delivery - Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys all offer this service locally - there may be others. You can arrange for you food delivery to arrive between 10am and 1pm on the Friday of the start of your holiday and we will bring it in for you, or any other time that suits you.
• Book an a la Carte home cooked meal - local caters - 7th Wave Events are able to cater for a family meal, BBQ or picnic - if you are arrange to meet up with friends locally - they are a fantastic outside caterers. They will even come and cook a special meal for you in our cottages and take the washing up home!
• Frogs & Boks - Our private dining works as follows, we can create your very own bespoke menu for your dinner party. We agree on the date and time for the dinner. We arrive with the food preprepared, finish the cook of your dishes in your kitchen, elegantly plate them on our fantastic collection of crockery and serve to you and your guests. We take all the washing up home and leave your kitchen just as we found it - and we cater for minimum of 2 guests - perfect for a night in!
• Takeaway - at Foxpond (SO41 8DW) - there is a selection of takeaways including Indian (Forest Tandoori), Chinese, Thai, Fish and Chips, the nearest fish and chip shop is on the village square and can be recommended. Rivaaz also have a great Indian menu (and are in St Thomas' Street) - they cater for gluten free clients
• Home cooking made easy - Lymington has its very own Cooks where you can buy home cooked frozen meals, you can shop online and collect after 2 hours - their entrance has a large step - we only have a small freezer in the cottages.

Eating Out

There are lots of pubs, restaurants and coffee shops in the Lymington area that are worth a visit, we are not able to list them all - but we will suggest just a few of our favorites that you are welcome to try.

• The Musketeers - a  very traditional village pub, situated behind Tesco in the village - they do simple pub food and evenings and have a portable ramp if you need wheelchair access.
• The Townhouse, Lymington - at the top of Lymington opposite Waitrose, they don't have an accessible loo but they do have level access, great food, Quiz nights on a Wednesday, live music at the weekends and a local's lunch on a Thursday! They are part of a small local chain of three other establishments and we would recommend all three!
• The Old Mill, 2.5 km away - a lovely riverside pub - there is a small step out to the garden and inside there is level access though part of the pub and round to an accessible loo, but there are areas of the pub that are on a different floor due to the historic nature of the building. We advise asking for wheelchair accessible seating when you book.  
• The Six Bells, Wetherspoons - this is a split level restaurant within the building, step free access available - we think it is great that you can download their app, order from your phone and pay at the table.
• The Monkey Brewhouse, has live music every Sunday - and is one the largest free houses in Lymington, situated in the old Toll House, it has a great atmosphere and daily specials! Not all areas are wheelchair accessible so please let them know you if you require access when booking. Not been since renovated.
• The Sail Inn, top of Lymington High street, recently renovated with an accessible loo, family friendly and with a selection of Vegan wines! Breakfast menu from 10am at weekends.
• The Ship Inn is on Lymington Quay - you can dine inside or on the harbourside... there is a great range of cocktails too. A G&T on the quayside on a summers evening is recommended!
• The Mayflower - whether you wish to start the day with a full English Breakfast, or enjoy something off their a la carte menu - or enjoy a pint in their large beer garden - the Mayflower is a great place to relax.
• Walhampton Arms, just outside Lymington with great parking, this old diary hosts a regular quiz on the first Friday of the month, they have a fantastic carvery available on Sunday and Mondays and senior specials at lunch time during the week.
• Rosie Lea- head round to their side entrance for their wheelchair friendly entrance and accessible loo - open till 9pm - you could enjoy a cup of tear or dinner in this country style location with views over open fields and a great sensory play area for children. There is a lovely quiet 4 milts circular walk from their garden - suitable for ramblers.   
• The Gun Inn - Keyhaven -  a traditional village pub feel with ramped access to most areas - do though let them know if you need wheelchair seating as one area is stepped. Large Beer garden partly undercover and amazing food - at the time of writing their chips in beef dripping are the best chips I have ever had. Booking advised. Large car park opposite with disabled toilets (radar key required) and a short walk round to Keyhaven Quay is a pleasant way to finish the evening.    

Don't want a pub?

The choice does not end with pubs - if you are after fine dining - it is well worth checking out what Stanwell House has to offer. Or the delighted of The Pig at Brockenhurst, the Kitchen at Careys Manor and many more...

Lymington is also home to a couple of Indian Restaurants, a pizza restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a Burger and Lobster bar, Thai restaurants and traditional English - there is something for every budget. You can view some of the local favorites here on Trip Advisor.

Cafes

Cafes are a great place for breakfast and lunch - Lymington is home to a number of well known chains, some of our favorite coffee places are tucked away, so thought we would share them with you.

• Rosie Lea- head round to their side entrance for their wheelchair friendly entrance and accessible loo - open till 9pm - you could enjoy a cup of tear or dinner in this country style location with views over open fields and a great sensory play area for children. There is a lovely quiet 4 milts circular walk from their garden - suitable for ramblers.     
• Lounges - off Lymington High Street has a lovely outside courtyard where you can often sit in the sunshine out the wind and enjoy a coffee and cake - they are dog friendly, and dogs often get a complimentary treat.
• Mabels Cafe is situated just outside Lymington at Shallowmead Nursery - full accessible and opening onto a courtyard garden, it is one of our favorite places for coffee.
• Otters Garden Centre offer breakfast light lunches and Sunday Roast, hidden inside another garden centre this tends to be missed on the tourist trail.
• Bridges of Lymington a family run business at the top of the High Street, known locally for caring for their customers and accommodating your dietary requests - Vegan, Gluten free and has 30 flavours of tea!

Holidays in Lymington are available all year round - out of season it is often quieter and more restful