Lymington named best place for a 'dogcation'
Just 10 minutes from Shorefield Country Park, and named best place for a ‘dogcation’ by the pet company, Petsure, Lymington came in first place based on all the amazing dog-friendly hotels, pubs, restaurants, hikes and of course, holiday parks. Meanwhile, nearby Oakdene Forest Park, is Bournemouth beach which came in close second place.
Petsure explained: "Taking the crown for top dogcation is Lymington, a coastal town in the New Forest, Hampshire. Lymington stands out for having the most dog-friendly hikes of all locations in the study. There are 169 trails for you and your dog to explore, including nature reserves and scenic coastal routes.” Read more about the rankings here.
With endless natural spaces for a game of fetch and quaint towns and villages to explore, your canine companion will be raring to go on your next walkies the moment you arrive on the scenic South Coast. With this in mind, we have put together a list of our favourite dog walks around our parks.
The Solent Way
One of our favourite walks near Shorefield Country Park is the Keyhaven to Lymington walk along the marshes, a walk that follows along the Solent Way and passes through a Site of Special Scientific interest, as well as many delightful pubs at either end of the walk! https://sfhols.com/LymingtontoKeyhaven
Nearest Park – Shorefield Country Park
Bolderwood (New Forest): Radnor Trail
Walk amongst ancient trees as you go deep into the ornamental woodland. This New Forest trail passes through sweet chestnut, oak and beech tree dating all the way back to 1860s and ends at the deer viewing platform where you might be lucky enough to catch sight of the majestic herd of deer in the New Forest National Park. https://sfhols.com/BolderwoodRadnorTrail
Nearest Park – Shorefield Country Park
Hurn Forest
You can reach this walk right from your accommodation at Oakdene or Forest Edge, the Hurn Forest offers extensive walks through Forestry England’s land. Most of the woodland here are conifers but in the small glades you can find a variety of insects such as the silver-studded butterfly. The forest is also home to one of England’s native snakes, the non-venomous smooth snake. Spanning over two miles of forestry, with clear paths, this trail is easy-going and flat throughout. https://sfhols.com/HurnForestWalk
Nearest Park – Oakdene & Forest Edge
Swanage to Old Harry Rocks
We are spoilt for choice for walks in the scenic Swanage, but this walk from Swanage to Old Harry Rocks takes in a lot of beautiful scenery. Old Harry Rocks is the iconic gateway to the Jurassic Coast, Harry and the collection of sea stacks and stumps is a site to behold from the clifftops with panoramic views to Poole Harbour and Swanage Bay, this is a walk not to be missed! https://sfhols.com/SwanageToOldHarry
Nearest Park – Swanage Coastal Park
Castleman Trailway
This 16.5 trailway follows along the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line, taking you through East Dorset’s stunning landscape, where you will pass some of the county's internationally important heathland, cross rivers and pass through forestry plantations. Take in the rolling hills right from your doorstep at Merley Court. https://sfhols.com/CastlemanTrailway
Nearest Park – Merley Court Holiday Park
Eye Bridge and Pamphill, Kingston Lacy
This one features a stretch of The Stour Valley Way, a long distance path that runs past a few of our holiday sites. Enjoy a serene wander upstream along this beautiful stretch of the Stour river, with ancient woodland and plentiful interesting birdlife to look out for through the unspoilt areas of Pamphill and Cowgrove. You will pass the Eye Bridge which has a weir and is a crossing point of the Stour river. The area is very popular in the summer for paddleboarders, kayakers and wild swimmers. https://sfhols.com/EyeBridgePamphill
Nearest Park – Wilksworth Holiday Park
