IT'S the end of summer, the end of the school holidays and the last bank holiday before Christmas.

Everyone is determined to make the most of tomorrow before they have to return to offices, factories and classrooms as autumn approaches and the nights start to draw in.

Many families will probably head to the New Forest for a fun day out.

The district offers a raft of activities, with visitors able to indulge in everything from sailing to horse riding. A wide variety of sports are also available, plus an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing dip.

The weather may not be warm enough for those who would otherwise be tempted to go for a swim in the sea off Barton, Calshot or Milford.

But the Forest boasts plenty of public pools, including the seawater baths beside the entrance to the Lymington River.

Located next to Lymington Town Sailing Club the open air pool boasts 200 metres of inflatable obstacle courses, stand up paddle boards, a cafe and a confectionary kiosk. All tickets must be bought online.

The current facility, said to be the oldest and largest of its type in the UK, dates from 1833, when the Lymington Bath and Improvement Company was set up.

The baths struggled to compete with others in the area and in 1855 were sold to George Inman, who owned a boat-building company further up the river. In 1886 he leased the site to the Lymington Sea Baths Company.

Today the baths are owned by Lymington and Pennington Town Council.

For those who prefer a more traditional pool, the Forest has council-owned health and leisure centres at Dibden, Lymington, New Milton, Ringwood and Totton.