The NICI – New Wedding venue in Lymington
On the coast of the New Forest in Hampshire.
THE NICI New Forest is a luxury hotel and wedding venue located on the edge of Lymington in Hampshire, overlooking the Solent and surrounded by the natural beauty of the New Forest National Park. The hotel occupies the historic Elmers Court estate, which has been extensively redeveloped into a contemporary luxury resort while retaining many of the original manor house’s period features and character. It officially opened as THE NICI New Forest in 2026, becoming the second hotel in THE NICI collection.
For things to do in the New Forest – check out this site
The venue sits within approximately 23 acres of landscaped grounds, offering panoramic coastal views across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight. Despite its peaceful setting, it is easily accessible, with Lymington Pier railway station around a five-minute walk away, Brockenhurst approximately 10–15 minutes by car, Southampton Airport around 35 minutes away and direct rail connections from London Waterloo taking just over two hours. This combination of countryside, coastline and accessibility makes it an attractive destination wedding venue for couples across Hampshire, Dorset and the South Coast.
THE NICI New Forest has been designed to accommodate both intimate celebrations and larger weddings within the same venue. Couples can choose from elegant ceremony spaces including The Chart Room and The Captains Room, both of which retain many of the manor house’s original architectural features while offering a contemporary finish. Having the ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception all within one venue allows the day to flow seamlessly without guests needing to travel.
One of the venue’s biggest attractions is its setting. The expansive Queen Mary Lawn, landscaped gardens and private terraces provide beautiful outdoor spaces for drinks receptions, group photographs and relaxed celebrations. The elevated position overlooking the Solent creates a particularly impressive backdrop for wedding photography throughout the year, while the surrounding grounds provide a mixture of formal gardens, mature trees and coastal scenery.
Hotel facilities, dining, spa & accommodation
Beyond weddings, THE NICI New Forest operates as a luxury resort with facilities that allow guests to enjoy an extended stay. Accommodation includes more than 80 individually designed guest rooms and suites, alongside larger self-catering apartments that are ideal for families, bridal parties or guests staying for several nights.
Dining centres around two distinct venues. Martha’s serves seasonal coastal-inspired dishes and sharing plates in a stylish restaurant setting, while Elms Café offers a more casual atmosphere for breakfasts, lunches, coffee and lighter meals. Together they provide options ranging from relaxed dining to celebratory dinners throughout a wedding weekend.
The hotel’s spa is one of its standout features. Guests have access to an indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy facilities, sauna, steam room, ice room, jacuzzi and relaxation spaces, alongside ten treatment rooms offering a range of spa therapies. Outside, guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a modern fitness club and wellness classes, making the hotel equally appealing for spa breaks and longer leisure stays.
The local area & why it’s a wonderful place for a wedding
Lymington is one of Hampshire’s most picturesque coastal towns, known for its Georgian architecture, bustling marina, independent shops and traditional sailing heritage. The town offers a relaxed yet upmarket atmosphere, with attractive cobbled streets, waterfront walks and a wide selection of cafés, restaurants and pubs for guests to enjoy before or after the wedding.
The surrounding New Forest National Park provides a unique backdrop unlike many traditional wedding venues. Ancient woodland, open heathland, wild ponies and quiet country lanes are all within easy reach, creating countless opportunities for beautiful pre-wedding or post-wedding photography. Couples can also incorporate nearby beaches, coastal paths and marinas into their celebrations, offering a combination of countryside and seaside scenery rarely found in one location.
For guests travelling from further afield, the area offers plenty to explore over a wedding weekend, including nearby villages such as Brockenhurst and Beaulieu, boat trips to the Isle of Wight, scenic walking and cycling routes, and the beautiful Hampshire coastline. This makes THE NICI New Forest particularly well suited to couples looking to create a relaxed destination-style wedding where family and friends can enjoy a mini holiday alongside the celebrations.
The NICI Lymington – A brand new luxury wedding venue in the New Forest!