Coastal Wandering: a day out in Lymington, Hampshire

Today I found myself with a whole day to do as I pleased as all the other members of my family were otherwise occupied. I toyed with the idea of going Urban Wandering around London, but as the weather was magnificent I decided to head to the coast instead. Typically when we go to the cost it's to Swanage, and although it's one of my favourite places in the UK, the journey can be slow sometimes. So, in an attempt to search out some closer coast line, I decided to head to Lymington. I have definitely been there before, but honestly I reckon it was 35 years ago on a Scout trip to the Isle of Wight. The journey down from Newbury was pretty good with just a short delay in Lyndhurst where the traffic is light-controlled as it snakes through the town's narrow streets and corners. On arriving at Lymington I was pleased to find it was market day, which meant the high street was bustling with market stands of all sorts. Before I headed off to the coast I wandered up and down the high street, taking the odd diversion down an interesting looking alley or side road. Needless to say I found a couple of interesting ghost signs en route.

The first two come from the former E.R.Badcock Furniture Depository

E.R.Badcock Furniture Depository building, New Street, Lymington, Hampshire

E.R.Badcock Furniture Depository building, New Street, Lymington, Hampshire

I caught sight of this next ghost sign as a I drove up the main road looking for somewhere to park, and knew I couldn't let myself get away without treking back and take a picture, or two. My biggest challenge was that this particular sign was in quite a narrow road, with the sun peeking out behind the sign, so not an easy shot, which is why I have included two pictures. And as with a few ghost signs I've seen recently, this one also has signs of previous lettering beneath. The main sign however reads ...

RAND & SON

GENERAL DRAPER

LADIES & CHILDRENS OUTFITTERS

SPECIALITY

DRESS

MATERIAL

Ghost sign on the High Street, Lymington, Hampshire

Ghost sign on the High Street, Lymington, Hampshire

Having walked along a reasonable number of the town's streets, I eventually headed off for the coast. I was not expecting to find beaches as I knew this was more of a port, so it was not until I had walked for 20 minutes or so past the ship yards that I eventually found the sea, but it was definitely worth the wander. There are plenty of cycle paths and foot paths that skirt around the coastline, offering views out to sea over the Isle of Wight and, inland to what I assume is some sort of managed(?) wetland habitat for birds. I took plenty of photos as I wandered along the coast, but these two showing signs of coastal abandonment are my favourites.

Abandoned jetty, Lymington, Hampshire

Remains of a small boat, Lymington, Hampshire