Summer holiday activities in the Lymington area of the New Forest

During July and August there is so much going in in the Lymington area of the New Forest that there is hardly a week goes by without some fun event. The following is a selection of some of the many events going on - I apologise in advance for the many local village events I must have missed out.

July 1/10 Sway Carnival week, with the main parade usually on the Friday evening, but other events, including a 'fun run', every day.

July 9/11 Ringwood Festival.

July 16/17 Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show.

July 26-28 New Forest and Hampshire County Show, held near Brockenhurst.

August 1 Burley Antique Fair

August 6-13 Cowes Week Sailing Regatta.

August 20 Damerham Music Festival.

August 27 Milford-on-Sea Carnival Fun Day.

August 29 Brockenhurst Carnival and Fete.

Sept 2/3 Charity Music Festival at Hurst View Site, see www.cobfest.org

One of my particular favourites is the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, which has world class show jumping, a flower show that wouldnt be out of place at Chelsea, craft tents and demonstrations, animal and agricultural exhibits, entertainment, and much more. See http://www.newforestshow.co.uk/ for more details. On a much smaller scale Milford-on-Sea Carnival is a charming village event which goes on all afternoon and evening with entertainment on the village green, a fete, tug- of -war and other side shows, all put on by local people. You may wonder why I have included the Cowes Sailing Regatta. My caravan at Hurst View is only a few minutes walk from the Pennington sea wall and footpath to Keyhaven and Hurst. Well from Hurst Spit or from the footpath along the Pennington sea wall you can get a good view of the sailing boats in the Solent. Many impressive yachts are moored at Lymington during Cowes week, and you can take a boat trip from Lymington to see the Friday night firework display off Cowes sea front. Or you can watch it for free at Calshot or Lepe beach. All this to do if you stay in my holiday caravan www.cogb.com/lymington during the summer holiday.

Getting around the New Forest on your Caravan Holiday

Most people arrive in the New forest by car, although the rail, coach and bus links to the New Forest and Lymington are very good. However once you get there you are sure to want to get off the beaten track and explore, and there are many ways to do this. You can take a Wagon Ride through the Forest, either from Brockenhurst - tel 01344 627722, or from Burley - tel 07786371843. Or travel further afield with the NF Horsedrawn Omnibus Company - tel 07852 208048, or www.thenewforest.co.uk/tourbus.html Or if you fancy taking to the water try Puffin Cruises - tel 07850 947618, and take a variety of boat trips around the Solent or to the Isle of Wight. And if you want to be more hands on you can hire a boat from Christchurch Quay and go up or down river. If you cannot bring your own bicycles you can hire them on site in high season, or from Brockenhurst, http://www.countrylanes.co.uk/ and cycle down the lane from my caravan www.cogb.com/lymington and along the cycle path to Keyhaven or Milford-on-Sea, or to Lymington or through the many other cycle ways around the New Forest.