Lymington - Old Town & Marina

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Lymington Old Town & Marina, with Explorers helping track down the hidden treasure of the Hampshire smuggler Tom Johnstone by following his old map around Lymington to work out where his long-lost goods were stashed.

The quest covers 2.2 miles and should take 2+ hours to complete. You'll set off from Bath Road car park, investigate the marina, head into the old town, continue through the quay area and loop back towards the start.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Expect a few cobbles and hills, a cobbled lane down to the quay, and one section of Waterford Lane with no pavement.

Take extra care around road crossings, along the quay wall where there is deep water and safety lines are in place, and through the working marina where there may be cars and workmen. The duck pond is deeper than it looks too, so keep Mini Explorers close while you enjoy the waterside parts of the adventure.

Getting There

By car: Start your quest at Bath Road car park on the corner where Bath Road meets Kings Saltern Road (SO41 3SE), using ///fired.lunge.pump. Park the quest-mobile here.

Alternatively, St Thomas The Apostle Church (SO41 9ND) is an option if you fancy starting this quest in town. Head here for Clues 10 and 11.

By public transport: Make your way to Bath Road car park on the corner where Bath Road meets Kings Saltern Road to begin the treasure hunt. As the route is circular, you should be able to get back to the start without any problems.

Need the Loo?

Toilets can be found in the car park at the start point and also in the quay area after Clue 16, giving your crew a handy comfort stop before setting off and another chance later in the quest.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can come along for the adventure 🐾

The route includes road crossings, cobbles, hills, a section of Waterford Lane with no pavement, a working marina with cars and workmen, deep water along the quay wall and a duck pond that is deeper than it looks. Keep canine companions close around traffic, waterside sections and busier working areas.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure-hunting through smuggling country is hungry work.

There are plenty of places to pick up provisions in the old town and quay area between Clues 10 to 16. You can also bring a picnic to enjoy in the quay area whilst you feed the ducks.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The Old Town and Quay Area

The Trail takes you from the marina into the old town, with its delightful little shops, before leading you back along the quay area. This is a natural place to slow the quest down, enjoy a picnic and feed the ducks once Tom Johnstone's map has had a thorough inspection.

Berthon Marina

Berthon Marina brings a hefty dose of maritime history to the adventure. Berthon Lifeboats were collapsible from the 1800s so more could be stowed onboard, and the Berthon Boat Company moved here in 1918. It is still operating today, specialising in repairing yachts of up to 150 feet. In 1967, this was also where David May built the first marina with pontoon moorings in the whole of the UK.

Bath Road Recreation Park

Near the end of the Trail, the route passes Bath Road Recreation Park on the left. It makes a handy final breather as your Explorers loop back towards the start after their old-town and marina treasure hunt.

Church Lane Old Walls

Keep an eye out along Church Lane, where the old walls mark the western boundary of the ancient borough founded around 1200 by William De Redvers, 6th Earl of Devon. They are a neat reminder that Lymington's story stretches much further back than Tom Johnstone's smuggled stash.