The New Forest and The Sea | The Salamander Sailing Adventure | Montagu Arms

The New Forest covers 219 square miles including some ancient woodland and heathland. But did you know that the New Forest also has 40 miles of coastline bordering the picturesque Solent, one of the world’s most famous locations for sailing?

The Beaulieu River, which starts in the New Forest and flows gently past Beaulieu directly to the Solent and the Sea, is tidal as far as Beaulieu.

 

An historic connection between the New Forest and the Sea begins a short walk a little further along the Beaulieu River in Buckler’s Hard, where New Forest oaks were used to build wooden ships, including Nelson’s favourite ship the Agamemnon, launched in 1781, which fought in the Battle of Trafalgar.

 

The Lymington River also connects the New Forest and the sea. The river used to be tidal as far as Brockenhurst, until Captain Cross built a causeway in Lymington in 1731. Above the causeway, now called Bridge Road, lie extensive reed beds and below lies Town Quay and the port of Lymington, still used today by commercial fishing boats, visiting local and international sailing yachts.

 

Marshes just beyond Lymington were used as salterns, for the production of sea salt from the Middle Ages until 1865, and later as oyster beds.

 

The now disused marshland offers an exceptional walk, starting in Lymington, affording panoramic views of the sea, the Isle of Wight, and on a good day, the Needles in the distance.

Lymington was an important port for the export of salt, and is where Salamander of Lymington and THE SALAMANDER SAILING ADVENTURE is based in the modern Berthon Lymington Marina, in Bath Road, a short walk away from the Town Quay.

 

None of the above would be true however if the Solent River estuary, as it was, hadn’t flooded at the end of the Ice Age. Thanks to the Ice Age the Solent today is about 20 miles long, between 4 and 1 miles wide, and is one of the most sheltered channels in Europe, offering ideal sailing conditions.

The Needles, at the western tip of the Isle of Wight in Hampshire were part of a chalk ridge which connected with the Old Harry Rocks, at the southern end of Studland Bay, in Dorset. The world famous Needles would not have become the iconic sight it is today had the chalk ridge not completely eroded away leaving the Needles to stand alone in its current celebrated splendour.

 

SALAMANDER is a traditional 58 foot luxury sailing yacht. Boat trips include the serene Beaulieu River, the world famous Needles and the “Pearl of the Solent” a sailing adventure circumnavigating the Isle of Wight. Thrilling international sporting events on the water include Cowes Week, the America's Cup, the Cowes -Torquay Powerboat Race and the Bournemouth Air Festival.

 

Special guest transfers and pickups from The Montagu Arms Hotel can be arranged. Please contact Chris White – your Salamander Skipper.

 

Chris is the owner of Salamander, along with his wife Sue. Chris has sailed in excess of 35,000 nautical miles, safely circumnavigating the world with his family on board Salamander.

Salamander is beautifully maintained and benefits from a traditional solid teak interior, a large saloon providing good all round visibility in all weathers and spacious teak decks with a solid teak hand rail all around.

Non-sailors and sailors alike are always welcome aboard Salamander. We have a crew of three, ready to look after you, with some tales to tell.

 

Let The Salamander Sailing Adventure introduce you to the New Forest and the Sea - it's the perfect addition to your break at The Montagu Arms. Pop by and see them in Berthon Lymington Marina, take a look at their website, or call Chris directly 07798 524111 for further details.