The Mayflower, Hampshire

Overview

With views over the historic Lymington harbour, and the New Forest on the doorstep, The Mayflower is the perfect Hampshire base for those craving a relaxing retreat by the sea. The inn, named after the original radio beacon ship responsible for beaming the very first radio signal to the Isle of Wight, boasts superb dining and stylish rooms with coastal views.

Expect locally sourced fare, with particular focus on fresh fish caught in local waters, to be enjoyed next to real log fires in winter or on the elegant outdoor terrace overlooking the Solent in summer. Seven nautical-themed bedrooms continue the seaside vibe, with unique features, such as a Victorian-style roll-top baths in four of the rooms, and little touches of luxury for an excellent night's sleep after all that fresh sea air.

This gorgeous Georgian port town is renowned for its sailing and has two marinas. Charter a yacht and take to the Solent to find your sea legs, or catch a ferry to explore the Isle of Wight.

Our room was beautiful and cosy – who doesn’t want a huge bathtub in the room?

Flora Beverley - Food Fitness Flora

Rooms from

7 doubles: £150

Good to know

Accepts all major credit cards
Disabled access
Alfresco & private dining
Parking available
Dog stay: £15

Water and waves
Overlooking Lymington harbour, this Georgian port town is renowned for its sailing and has two marinas.

Outdoor adventures
Charter a yacht and take to the Solent to find your sea legs, catch a ferry to explore the Isle of Wight, head to the the New Forest for walking, cycling and pony riding adventures, or stay in town and follow the sea wall on foot or bike.

Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome to stay overnight in the rooms, and can accompany you to the bar and garden areas.

Rooms

Staying true to the area's seafaring heritage, The Mayflower's seven charming bedrooms are awash with calming coastal tones and nods to all things nautical.

Each room has its unique charms and special touches, from indulgent roll-top baths and reinvigorating rainfall showers to in-room espresso machines for that much-need caffeine fix after a deep sleep in between Egyptian cotton sheets. Four of the rooms (Aston, Kelpie, Windflower, Leopard) have views across Lymington harbour and the local sailing club, and all have wifi, tea-making facilities and natural Bramley bath and body products.

The Aston Suite is a large and luxurious ground-floor bedroom and is perfect for families. It has a well-appointed bathroom with a shower over a Victorian style roll-top bath as well as beautiful views of the terrace, garden and harbour beyond.

Restaurant & bar

With a true passion for food, expect classic pub dishes created from locally sourced ingredients showcasing the best produce from New Forest and Hampshire coast.

There are comfy sofas and leather wingback chairs in the nautically themed bar, alongside wood floors roaring open fires and big windows. If the weather's fine snap up the best seats in the house on the elegant outdoor terrace for an alfresco lunch or a quiet afternoon pint in the sun.

From sesonally changing menus perhap start with pork and black pudding sausage roll with piccalilli, follow with chargrilled tuna, Greek salad, crumbled feta, lemon and olive oil, or steak and ale suet pudding, buttered spring greens and champ mash, leaving room for pineapple tart Tatin with rum and raisin ice cream.

Private dining

The vast garden, some of it under cover, offers great opportunities for private events, whether it be a cocktail reception, work gathering or family party. Indoors, the private dining room is an ideal spot for a coastal party or gathering of up to 20 people.

Experiences

Explore one of England’s most fascinating estates — home to the British National Motor Museum, Palace House and Gardens, and the ruins of a medieval abbey in the heart of the New Forest.

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Things to do

Based in Lymington, a Georgian port town in Hampshire, The Mayflower is perfectly placed for the best of both the sea and land - right on the coast and next to the southern edge of the New Forest, so there's plenty of natural attractions to explore and activities to try out.

Situated a short walk from Lymington Nature Reserve, which comprises lagoons, reeds beds, salt marsh and mud flats, and provides rich feeding grounds for a wide variety of birds, including a nationally important breeding population of little terns. While there's no direct access to this fragile landscape, you can walk along the sea wall and admire the stunning views across the Solent to Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight. The Mayflower is on the Solent Way, a 60-mile long footpath that follows the coastline from Milford-on-Sea to Emsworth Harbour.

For something more cultural, head to Beaulieu to explore its world-renowned motoring museum, country house and medieval abbey, or explore Calshot Castle and the historic town of Christchurch across the border in Dorset.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Lymington
Walk from station: 15min
Drive: Southampton 40min; Swindon 1hr 45min; Lomdon 2hr; Bristol 2hr 15min

Address

King's Saltern Road, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 3QD

The Mayflower

From £150 per night