New Milton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map sources for New Milton at grid reference SZ235955
Map sources for New Milton at grid reference SZ235955

New Milton is a market town in south west Hampshire, England. The town centre has improved in recent years with a varied, vibrant shopping centre, where a market is held every Wednesday. It is on the edge of the New Forest, with beautiful countryside lying to the north of the town, ideal for walks, cycling and horseriding. The town is on the A337 road about 8 miles (13 km) west of Lymington town centre and 12 miles (19 km) east of Bournemouth town centre. The town is part of the South East Dorset conurbation.

[edit] History

New Milton dates back to before the Domesday Book and encompasses Old Milton, Barton-on-Sea, Ashley, and Bashley. It has a population of approximately 23,000.

It prospered in Victorian times from the opening of the railway station in March 1888 and much of the local farmland was developed in the 1960s for commuter housing and the 1970s for small industrial/trade units. There is a mix of housing from village and forest properties to more urban housing in the larger towns in the area. There are many schools in the area, both state and private, with excellent reputations. Travel connections are good with easy access to motorways, and airports at Bournemouth, Southampton and Heathrow.

There are a few notable architectural points of interest in the local area. Britain's first reinforced concrete bridge was built in 1900 just outside New Milton at Chewton. There was an earlier experiment in building with this material in its unreinforced form at Sway (Sway Tower).

Also built in 1900 was the tudor style water tower, which can be found in Osborne road. It has a staircase and is constructed with a turret, slit windows and battlements. It is a striking orangey red colour, probably built from locally manufactured bricks link.

Tourist attractions include the Sammy Miller Motorcycle museum situated on the corner of Stem Lane, regarded as the leading collection of motorcycles and accompanying memorabilia in the country.

Cliffs at Barton-on-Sea.
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Cliffs at Barton-on-Sea.

The coastal village of Barton-on-Sea is nowadays included within the Borough of New Milton. In the First World War Barton was the site of a convalescent home for Indian service men and this is commemorated by an obelisk in the village.

The coast at Barton-on-Sea is particularly well-known for its geological content, being home to many fossils. The cliff tops are home to a scenic golf course. A cliff-top path runs between Barton and the village of Milford on Sea. From there, the Solent Way stretches all the way to Emsworth, on the West Sussex border. It is also well known for the fact that it was the first place in England to try out rock groynes.




[edit] Famous Residents

  • Constance Applebee, who introduced the game of field hockey to the USA died in New Milton
  • Sammy Miller, owner of Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
  • Jamie Redknapp, footballer born in Barton on Sea
  • Neil Moss, the AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper born in the town.

[edit] External links

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