THE LOWDOWN

The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

Location, location, location! A converted 400-year-old mill set alongside the Avon River, this pretty pub-with-rooms is a real box ticker. Just five minutes’ drive from the Georgian sailing town of Lymington, it’s close to the coast and just three miles south of the beautiful New Forest National Park. And with 12 boutique bedrooms to choose from, The Old Mill is a real gem of a weekend break spot, too

Popular with locals (but a little off the beaten track for many day trippers to find) and steeped in history, it’s hands down one of my favourite pubs in the area. Come the weekend, the lively bar is great for cocktails and grownup evening catchups. In the restaurant, the kid’s menu, properly tasty Sunday lunch and beautiful gardens makes it ideal for families, too. Weekend sorted!

THE VIBE

Pretty creeper covered exterior of The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

A working water mill back in the eighteenth century and more recently, a privately owned pub for many years, the Old Mill is now part of the reliably good Upham Inns group and makes a good first impression with its countryside setting and pretty, creeper-covered exterior.

Restored interior of The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

Inside, the spacious downstairs got a new lease of life following a major makeover in 2021. Centered around the large bar, the plush vibe in the restaurant has plenty of nods to The Old Mill’s industrial, hunting lodge and coaching inn past, complete with exposed bricks and machinery and a few elegantly eccentric interior design touches. Tables surround the large, central bar and there’s warming log fires to cosy up beside.

Flagstone floor hallways The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

Beautiful pond grounds The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

On a warm day, the tranquil three-acre gardens are a real draw. Drinkers and diners fill out the large, sunny alfresco terrace, seating over 200. Watching on, there’s a friendly family of resident ducks in the large pond, converted from what was once a Victorian swimming pool. Quack!

SCOFF & QUAFF

Glasses on a bar industrial design The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

The Old Mill draws in a happy crowd of couples, families and local dog walkers with its something-for-everyone menu of small plate sharers and pub favourites. Very much a pub for socialising in, as well as dining, the bar is always open to pop ins for nibbles and a glass of bubbles or a pint of the local brew. The aptly-named and sizeable ‘social drinking’ menu spans everything from cocktails and mocktails to wines, including Hattingley Valley English sparkling wine.

Local ingredients feature strongly on the menu. More pub grub than super high-end gastro, there’s plenty of classics like fish pie, steak, beef and veggie burgers and beer battered south coast haddock with chips. You’ll also find plentiful seafood platter sharer and small plates like baked camembert and black bean or sweet potato chilli tacos, great for summery terrace visits and can’t-make-your-mind-up days.

Making the most of a child-free Sunday, I had the tasty, belt-stretching traditional roast beef with huge Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese and plenty of local fresh veg. Pudding was a delicious sticky toffee pudding with salted toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream and two spoons. Classic.

PILLOW TALK

Boutique room The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

Upstairs, The Old Mill’s 12 comfy boutique rooms range from a spacious king-sized suite to mid-sized options and cosy doubles, all refurbed in a country style complete with a rather sweet duck. Ours – an elegant King Room was spacious with a great view over the gardens.

After a busy week (and that epic Sunday roast in the restaurant) I literally sank into the large comfy bed with crisp Egyptian cotton sheets. Not having to rush off in the morning, we really appreciated the blackout curtains and a shot of coffee from the Nespresso machine to wake us up.

Conservatory table The Old Mill pub with rooms Hordle New Forest Lymington Hampshire

Moving to the light-filled conservatory for brekkie, we discover a great choice of cooked options and a cold buffet with fresh croissants that properly sets us up for the day.

OUT & ABOUT

The Old Mill is a short drive from the New Forest National Park, where there’s walks and bike rides aplenty, with roaming wild horses, donkeys and pigs to spot. Head south for coastal walks at Milford-on-Sea. Just five minutes’ drive, pretty quayside Lymington has great shops and boutiques like Stanwells, Thirty Three Boutique and Perfumery & Co. Reopening on Monday 27 March, English Heritage-owned Hurst Castle is five miles away and there’s the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu (15 mins).

CHILD FRIENDLY?

Family room bunk beds The Old Mill New Forest Hampshire child friendly places to stay

With space to roam in the gardens and a well-priced kid’s menu, The Old Mill is a good bet for casual family lunches and intergenerational get togethers. There’s a family room with bunks and a snug. Other rooms have sofa beds and space for a cot.

DOG FRIENDLY?

Very! Well-behaved dogs are welcome in some of the public areas and in the grounds. Owners and their pooch can also share one of The Old Mill’s dog-friendly rooms for an extra £15 per pet, per night. They’ll be well kitted out with a bed or blanket, treats and water bowl.

ACCESSIBILITY

The pub has disabled parking and access directly to the restaurant.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Terrace seating The Old Mill Hordle Lymington best pub beer gardens Hampshire New Forest

Good for: Get in on the locals’ action! Cocktail catchup, date night with the other half, family get together – The Old Mill leans to it all. In summer, the gorgeous garden and riverside terrace is hard to beat. Foodies will enjoy the cosy restaurant and local ingredients on the menu, with the added bonus of being able to walk up the wooden hill and stay.

Not for: The Old Mill is slightly off the beaten track, so unless you are staying, if you’re planning to have a few drinks with your meal you’ll either need a designated driver or a taxi. It’s also very sociable and popular with families and pooches, especially at weekends, so not recommended for anyone who prefers a less convivial dining atmosphere.

The damage: Starters are £6.95-£15.95, mains £14.95-£29.95, puddings £4.50-£12.50. Sunday Roasts start at £18.95. An overnight stay in an Elegant King room costs from £119 (room only).

The Old Mill, Silver Street, Hordle, Hampshire, SO41 6DJ. Tel. 01590 682219

The Old Mill, Hordle, Lymington

You may also like