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Milford on Sea
Milford on Sea shown within Hampshire
Population	4,000
District	New Forest
Shire county	Hampshire
Region	South East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LYMINGTON
Postcode district	SO41
Dialling code	01590
Police	Hampshire
Fire	Hampshire
Ambulance	South Central
UK Parliament	New Forest West
European Parliament	South East England
List of places: UK • England • Hampshire

Coordinates: 50°43′N 1°36′W / 50.72, -1.6

The large village of Milford on Sea is located on the south coast of England in the county of Hampshire. With a population of approximately 4,000, Milford has a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs in its high street, which borders the village green.

The village is scenic in location, protected from development by a surrounding "green-belt" of land. From the beach in Milford The Needles of the Isle of Wight are on most days clearly visible.

Slightly further east is Keyhaven, with its boatyard and bird sanctuary. Protruding southwards from Keyhaven is Hurst Spit, approximately two miles of shingle, from the end of which the inhabitants of Hurst Castle used to watch over the Solent. The castle was built by Henry VIII, and is now visitor oriented, with a museum and café. A seasonal ferry makes the trip across the marshes as an alternative to the blustery walk.

Perhaps the most awe-inspiring views from Milford are along the coast to the west on a clear night, when the conurbation of Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole can clearly be seen, together with the stars reflecting sea.

Coastal walk along the cliff-top; looking east.

Milford began as a Saxon settlement and 500 years later (Domesday Book, 1086 CE) comprised a small manor with a church, a mill and about 50 inhabitants. It belonged to Christchurch Priory from about 1107 to 1539 and then passed into the hands of various courtiers and city merchants, mainly as a distant investment.

Milford's resources were its agriculture and the seasonal production of sea-salt, later supplemented, in fair degree, by smuggling. Development progressed slowly in accordance with the times until, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, wealthy newcomers moved in to buy up farms and build fine houses. Their advent materially changed the character, outlook and social structure of the village. Their Georgian houses serve today as a reminder of that turning point.

The salterns were less fortunate. After much expansion in mid-century, they declined rapidly in the 1780s and only a small remnant survived to fade slowly away after 1800. Their reclaimed land is today an area of great natural beauty.

Little further development took place until the 1880s, when the local landowner planned to convert Milford into a premier seaside resort, adding "on-Sea" to the village name, starting the popular and still current fashion among locals to refer to their seaside village as "the resort". Though the scheme failed in its major objectives, it did provide Milford a layout and an ordered development that lasted well into the present century.

Despite much new building in recent years, Milford still retains its character and unity as a village.

Every year, Milford has the May Day festival on the village green with the traditional Maypole dancing. In late June through to early July there is also the Music and Arts festival. It runs for about three days with local bands and drama from local schools, as well as stalls and craft workshops; It is perhaps, the most memorable event in Milford. In August, there is the Milford Carnival with a voluntary parade with floats and the procession of the Carnival Queen.

• Milford-on-Sea Online
• Milford on Sea Parish Council

Coordinates: 50°43′N, 1°36′W