Lymington

Lymington is one of those quaint English seaside villages perched on the edge of the enchanting New Forest (which, by the way, totally reminds me of the fairy-tale forests in Enid Blyton’s books!).

It's a charming little harbour, dotted with brightly painted boats, bobbing and twirling like they’re putting on a private, impromptu show just for you.

We stayed in the sweetest little Airbnb, surrounded by the magical forest trails that stretch endlessly, complete with homegrown chickens pottering about and a properly traditional English pub a mere stone’s throw away, serving up authentically good English grub and all sorts of deliciousness!!!

And get this – it’s owned by John Illsley, legendary bassist from Dire Straits!

We simply crossed the road, slipped through a little wooden gate — and suddenly, we were in the middle of the New Forest, walking beneath gigantic, centuries-old trees that seemed to touch the sky. The air felt different there — earthy, cool, alive — filling our lungs and instantly quieting the mind.

But the thing that absolutely stops me in my tracks every time I visit this special little pocket of England? The adorable wild New Forest ponies casually grazing along the road and seashore (!!) like it’s the most normal thing ever. I mean… ponies on a beach. Does it get any more magical than that?

Oliver’s mum joined us for a breezy seaside day, showing us around her everyday world — this perfect countryside-meets-coastal haven — and it was so wonderful to explore it all with her.

It’s hard to describe just how special this corner of the world feels — where the New Forest stretches out on one side and the sea sparkles on the other; a place that somehow manages to be both wild and wonderfully serene all at once.