A charming seaside village that was once completley inland has been casted into the tourist spotlight after one of its secluded beaches was crowned the best in the south of England
Escape the bustling city with this charming seaside village that’s just a short train ride away from London.
Tucked away on Hampshire’s pristine coastline, and sandwiched between Bournemouth and Portsmouth, lies the quaint parish of Milford on Sea. Steeped in history, the village originally began as a Saxon settlement and was actually solely inland until the 1800s.
However, due to coastal erosion and the region expanding, Milford on Sea has slowly transformed itself into an iconic seaside resort. Acclaimed for its breathtaking views of the Isle of Wight, its golden beaches, vibrant high street, and pastel-coloured beach huts – the village might be small but is jam-packed with things to do.
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Milford on Sea boasts four gorgeous beaches along the shore. Many head to Hurst Road Beach, which is the closest to the village centre. Here, you’ll find parking and toilets nearby as well as the Needles Eye Café which has its own ice cream kiosk and children’s play area.
There’s also Hordle Cliff Beach, a two-mile stretch of coastline which turns into a sandy paradise at low tide. It’s a great place to soak up the rays with a good book, relax in a shaded beach hut, or try your hand at watersports including kite surfing and kayaking.
However, it’s Taddiford Gap, located just off the B3058, that was recently crowned one of the best 50 UK beaches in 2025 by The Times. This shingle and mud-sand beach is a little more off the beaten track, meaning you won’t be rubbing shoulders with strangers when trying to sunbathe. “A short walk along a footpath brings you to a grassy cliff and a quiet stretch of shingle with the best views of the Needles,” the publication wrote.
After a day on the beach, head over to Hurst Castle for a fascinating history lesson. This artillery fortress was built by Henry VIII and remained in military use until 1956, playing an active role through both world wars. “With spectacular views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight from the top of the Tudor Keep and plenty of open spaces for children to explore, it’s a great day out for the whole family,” The New Forest explained. “The café offers hot and cold drinks, homemade food, and cakes. Dogs on leads are very welcome too.”
Located just 98 miles from central London, it takes around two hours and 41 minutes to drive to Milford on Sea. Alternatively, you can get a train from London Waterloo to Lymington town – which takes one hour and 45 minutes and usually includes one change in Brockenhurst.
From here, you can hop in a 12-minute taxi or catch the X1 bus towards Bournemouth and alight at Barnes Lane – which takes around 21 minutes. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab single adult rail fares for as little as £11.30 this month.
Milford on Sea is filled with a range of accommodation types to suit your budget, from stunning eco lodges to no-frills B&Bs. A weekend’s stay (Friday, August 8-10) at The Beach House, a Victorian mansion just 200 yards from the sea, will set you back £365. This is based on two adults sharing a Double Room and includes breakfast.
If you’re travelling as part of a much bigger group, you have to check out Saltwood. This huge holiday home features two double beds and two single beds (meaning it sleeps up to six people), as well as a private kitchen and ‘ample space for relaxation and comfort’. Staying here on the exact same nights costs £1,213.
*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
What’s your favourite UK seaside resort? Let us know in the comments section below