The main village itself is found on the clifftops, where there are several wonderful walks to be had. Try the clifftop walk to Barton-on-Sea (3 miles) or the longer route along the Solent Way’s winding sea wall to the harbour town of Lymington (9 miles). It is even possible to walk as far as Bournemouth to the west if you are after a full day of walking.
Sunset on the beach
Another popular walk takes you along Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle. Along the way there are some tremendous views to be enjoyed – to the left are the Keyhaven marshes, while to the right are the open waters of Christchurch Harbour, the Isle of Wight and the Needles, a trio of striking chalk structures. Hurst Castle is a worthy end destination as it has a long military history dating back to the Tudor period, and was one of the prisons of Charles I. The castle can also be reached via a ferry departing from Keyhaven, the neighbouring village.
Milford-on-Sea’s main attraction, however, has to be its beaches. There are two beaches in the village: Hordle Cliff Beach and Hurst Road Beach. Both are mainly pebble and shingle, though sandy patches appear at low tide. Each beach also has all the facilities you need for a day at the seaside, including car parks, toilets and food and drink kiosks.
Within the village centre there are a variety of typical village shops, as well as pubs and a much-loved tearoom, Polly’s Pantry. The parish church of All Saints also stands in the village with much of it dating back to the 13th century, although the spire was constructed in 1828.
“Milford-on-Sea is located in an enviable position on the south coast…”
If you’re looking for a place to put your feet up, try The Smugglers Inn, which also has a play area for the kids to run around in. It serves quality cask ales as well as a menu of traditional pub classics. The Beach House is another friendly place to relax, and is just 200 yards from the beach, with far-reaching views across the water.
Our Milford-on-Sea cottages are based in the perfect location for exploring both the south coast and the New Forest – take a look at our collection for more holiday ideas!