Explore the Hub
Maritime Futures Hub is a proposal. The spaces below describe what is envisaged. The physical spaces are planned to be multi-use, so a single room could change purpose throughout the day, from visitor experiences to youth and community activity.
Illustration · proposed visionVisit the Hub
Explore maritime stories, interactive experiences, craftsmanship and discovery.
Illustration · proposed visionImmersive maritime stories
An immersive maritime heritage experience bringing the people, vessels and stories of Lymington and the Solent to life.
Discover more
Illustration · proposed visionVirtual maritime discovery
Interactive digital discovery inspired by the sea: simulations, virtual experiences, navigation and maritime challenges.
Discover more
Illustration · proposed visionHands-on maritime discovery
Hands-on visitor encounters with maritime craft, design and making.
Discover more
Illustration · proposed visionA heritage-led shared experience
A heritage-led interactive experience reflecting the building's historic use. Shared by visitors and the community.
Discover more
Illustration · proposed visionJoin the Hub
A welcoming place to belong, learn, make, move, connect and discover new opportunities. The Hub is youth-first and inclusive of the wider community, with intergenerational skills, learning and activities.
Illustration · proposed visionA place to belong
A welcoming space to meet, relax, talk, find support and build friendships. Open to everyone, across all ages and backgrounds.
Discover more
Illustration · proposed visionA place to make
Practical skills, repairs, upcycling, crafts, engineering and creative projects. Learn, make and share with experienced mentors.
Discover more
Illustration · proposed visionA place to discover
Digital skills, media, gaming, study support, careers and maritime STEM.
Discover more
Illustration · proposed visionA place to move
Sport, fitness, wellbeing and recreation. From martial arts to movement, structured activities to open play.
Discover moreIllustration · proposed visionA heritage-led shared experience
A heritage-led interactive experience reflecting the building's historic use. Shared by visitors and the community.
Discover moreYouth progression: our intended approach
An intended approach, not a guaranteed outcome.
Our Heritage
The Drill Hall is associated with Lymington's nineteenth-century maritime world, including Thomas Inman's mould loft and celebrated yachts such as Alarm and Arrow.
The building went on to play a part in the town's rifle, military and cadet history, serving generations of local people.
Dates and details are subject to continuing research. We distinguish documented history from ongoing research and welcome information from anyone who can help.
The Building
The ambition is to sensitively adapt the historic Drill Hall into flexible, shared spaces. Proposed uses include a double-height immersive hall, workshop and studio provision, a welcoming social space, learning facilities and a historically significant range.
The experiences described on this site are not nine separate rooms. They are activities that could share a smaller number of adaptable spaces across the day and evening.
Layout, accessibility and safety are subject to surveys, design and approvals.
Our Vision
To bring Lymington's historic Drill Hall back to life: celebrating our maritime past, welcoming visitors, and creating opportunities for young people and the wider community for generations to come.
Sustainable Future
A social-enterprise approach combines heritage visitation, engaging visitor experiences, enterprise activity and partnerships to help sustain community programmes. Income from visitors and enterprise is intended to cross-subsidise accessible youth and community opportunities, building resilience over the long term.
Share an idea, introduce a contact or offer your skills. We'd love to hear from you.
