The Best Things to See and Do in Hampshire
The coastal county of Hampshire in southernmost England benefits from miles of unspoilt shingle beaches, two of Britain’s largest national parks and a seemingly endless list of charming and historic villages, towns and cities to explore. The diversity of activities and attractions offered by Hampshire, coupled with its excellent transport links, make it the perfect place for the family to enjoy whether for a fun day out or for a holiday. In fact, there’s so much going on in Hampshire that it would probably take a lifetime to see and do everything. To give you some inspiration for a visit to Hampshire, here’s a whistlestop tour of some of the unmissable places, activities and experiences to be had in Hampshire.
Once England’s capital city, Winchester’s historical roots are in evidence throughout the city, with a section of Roman wall and more sections of mediaeval walls still visible and a street layout that dates from Saxon times. Winchester’s greatest landmark, though, is its magnificent Gothic cathedral, the longest in Europe. Whilst Hampshire has its fair share of mansion houses and stately homes, the village of Beaulieu, with its abbey and Palace House provides one of Hampshire’s best known and well-loved days out. Besides the abbey, the sixteenth-century stately home and the immaculate gardens, Beaulieu is home to the world famous National Motor Museum: a collection of cars and motorbikes ranging from vintage classics to instantly recogniseable vehicles from film and television to land speed record-breakers.
Hampshire has strong links with British Maritime history and nowhere more so than at Portsmouth’s historic dockyard where today visitors can step aboard the HMS Victory – the world’s oldest commissioned warship and the vessel on which Admiral Horatio Nelson died. Portsmouth is a vibrant and fascinating city and climbing its newest attraction, the 170 metre tall Spinnaker Tower provides unparalleled views of the south coast.
Anyone with a taste for the great outdoors will find the New Forest National Park unmissable. Covering almost 220 square miles of southwest Hampshire the New Forest’s varied terrain and habitat make it the perfect destination to explore, and to observe all manner of wildlife; the three snakes indigenous to Britain can be found here along with innumerable species of birds, mammals, insects and reptiles. The New Forest offers a wealth of outdoor activities including walking, cycling, horse riding, sailing and fishing and a number of delightful and historic villages such as Ringwood, Milford-on-Sea and Fordingbridge lie within the forest’s boundaries. Even here, Hampshire’s maritime heritage is in evidence; the hamlet of Bucklers Hard is the birthplace of many historic ships, including those of Nelson’s fleet, which were constructed from timber from the New Forest.
Horticulture enthusiasts will be delighted by the many public gardens to be found in Hampshire. Within the vicinity of the New Forest, Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway is an award-winning two-hundred acre collection of spectacularly colourful plants, flowers and botanical rarities with the various garden areas linked by pathways. A dedicated steam railway provides a delightful and alternative way to see the gardens, and visitors to Exbury can even ride on the footplate. There are more fine gardens to see at Staunton Country Park on the south eastern edge of the county. But although Staunton boasts a beautiful Victorian walled garden, a sensory garden and the largest glasshouses to be found on the south coast, this thousand-acre landscaped parkland offers plenty more besides and provides an excellent day out for the whole family. Kids will love meeting the animals at Staunton Farm, which range from alpacas to pygmy goats, or trying to find their way to the centre (and out again!) of the Jubilee Maze situated behind the glasshouses. The idyllic park itself contains many hidden follies to discover, as well as woodland and a large lake to explore.
Whilst Hampshire may not leap to mind as a county associated with seaside holidays, Hayling Island, linked to the mainland by a road bridge, is a traditional British resort. The island makes the most of its limited size, with attractions including three miles of clean beaches, one of the UK’s top 100 golf courses, a light railway and an amusement park packed with thrill rides and family fun. With a diversity of sporting facilities both on land and on water, and a selection of coastal and wildlife walks Hayling Island is another unmissable Hampshire gem.
And there are so many more. Hampshire’s diversity ensures that everyone who visits, whether young or old, will find something amazing, fascinating and entertaining to see or do. Heritage, history, natural beauty, wildlife, beach life and nightlife: Hampshire truly has it all. What are you waiting for?
This was a guest post by John for Tylney Hall hotel in Hampshire and the perfect base for your exploration of the county and surrounding areas. After all that sightseeing and walking unwind at one of the finest spas in Hampshire at Tylney Hall. Image by Rictor Norton & David Allen
