Lymington’s history as a flourishing New Forest market town is closely linked with its High Street. This talk, which accompanies the new exhibition at the museum, follows the High Street’s central role in Lymington’s development from a medieval planned town to a popular shopping destination in the 21st century.
The High Street was laid out when Lymington received its charter in around 1200 with plots for new businesses and tax breaks for traders willing to take a gamble on the new town. The wide road left plenty of room for the stalls of Lymington’s weekly market and annual fairs. Gradually permanent shops appeared and, as Lymington became more prosperous in the Georgian period, grand town houses were also built along the High Street.
The talk will look at the development of the High Street, some of the individual businesses which flourished here and will use St Barbe’s extensive photographic archive to show how the High Street has also been the focus and backdrop for parades, commemorations and entertainments that brought the whole community together.
Hosted by Steve Marshall
Lymington Baptist Church (opposite St Barbe) | Friends FREE | Guests £5 | Doors open 7pm | Talk starts 7.30pm
