About New Milton
New Milton is a compact market town with a mainline railway station in the south of the New Forest. And being just a mile from the coast; it’s easy to get to the unspoilt, natural beaches of Barton on Sea, Highcliffe and Avon for seaside scampers.
New Milton’s tree-lined high street is packed with familiar stores as well as traditional butchers and greengrocers. These are equally matched in number by independent shops, boutiques and a plentiful supply of cafes and eateries (many with outdoor tables in the summer months) for a spot of people watching while devouring delicious deli treats and homemade cakes. New Milton has a good selection of supermarkets to stock up your cottage cupboards including M&S, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi.
The high street stages a very popular weekly street market each Wednesday, and on the second Saturday of the month, local producers come together as the New Forest Farmers Market, selling wonderful cheese, bread, eggs, meat, and vegetables which have been grown or reared on the forest. And if you miss the market, head to one of the two superb farm shops nearby called Ferndene and Danestream.
You’ll not be short of options when you choose a holiday cottage in New Milton for dining out either, with a good selection of pubs and restaurants to choose from. For something a little special, take a look at The Kitchen, James Martin’s bistro at the five-star Chewton Glen Hotel, and The Cliff House and Pebble Beach at Barton on Sea.
There are plenty of things to do if you book holidays in New Milton. Make time to find out what’s on at Forest Arts Centre which offers a year-round programme of entertainment, photography and art displays, film and live shows. ClueCrypted is an indoor immersive live escape game experience which gets great reviews, and if you’re bringing teens on holiday, point them in the direction of the skate park and indoor leisure centre to keep them entertained.
Get some rod action in at Orchard Lakes Fishery, where you’ll find six well-established lakes or swap your rod for clubs and partake in a round or two on the scenic 18-hole cliff top course of Barton on Sea Golf Club.
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is certainly worth the trip to see the 11 times British Champion’s collection of restored racers and exotic prototypes. And for historic house lovers, it’s only a 3-mile drive to Highcliffe Castle, the former home of Harry Selfridge, founder of the iconic London department store which served as a backdrop for the TV series Mr Selfridge.
It’s a quick spin in the car to the heather-laden plains, ponds, and dappled woods of the National Park for walks alongside the free-roaming ponies. Or head south to the sea for a swim and explore the beach and clifftop walks. Mudeford Quay at the mouth of Christchurch Harbour is where you can hire kayaks and paddleboards, exciting RIB rides around the bay and fishing trips, or just grab an ice cream and watch the world go by.
Things to do
Food & drink
Beaches
