The Hampshire Travel Guide outlines local attractions, places of interest for visitors and has useful tourist information. The county is county known for its green hills, peaceful villages and historic forests. The county also has some vibrant modern cities such as Winchester and Southampton on the south coast. Hampshire has a heady mix of developed urban areas in and around the cities but with lovely unspoilt countryside outside this, such as the New Forest. The New Forest Visitor Centre in Lyndhurst provides visitors with details of the many cycling and walking trails that go through the area.
Overview and Attractions
With the New Forest and other numerous countryside areas Hampshire is blessed with a fine landscape with excellent walking and cycling trails that crisscross the region. A popular attraction is Beaulieu located at the southern tip of the New Forest, it is a former abbey and its buildings form a display on life based in a medieval monastery, and the Montagu family home of Palace House, this was formerly the abbey gatehouse.
There are plenty of visitors who come to Beaulieu in search of the National Motor Museum that is housed within its grounds. Here visitors can see a few hundred vehicles on display. Beaulieu has pretty much something for everyone, a mansion built upon the ruins of a medieval abbey and the famed National Motor Museum. Beaulieu Palace has changed the 14th century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey into a lovely family home.
For maritime enthusiasts there is Buckler's Hard, a picturesque village located in close proximity with a tradition of ship-building. Some ships commanded by Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar came from Buckler's Hard and there is now a museum to celebrate this rich naval tradition. The coastal region of Hampshire is a mecca for sailing enthusiasts, the Solent is one of the busiest coastal zones in England, and it is one of the top destinations for sailing in the UK and is also of importance for conversation purposes and its landscape.
Southampton is one of the major centres in Hampshire, it lies to the east of the New Forest. It has long been famous as a naval and trading port, there are some medieval buildings still remaining, including parts of the city wall and the 14th century Bar Gate. Portsmouth is one of the other major centres in the county and hosts the Royal Naval Museum at the dockyard. There are also historic vassals on display and is a must for any maritime enthusiast.
The city of Winchester is scenic and a compact size, it fits in a lot of buildings of historical interest in to a relatively compact area, this makes exploring the area for tourists easier. Winchester combines the best of the city and the countryside and it is easy to see why this is a sought after place to live and work. The city was also the nation's capital with the Saxons and the Normans, shoeing its historical importance. The city is the place to find the oldest public school in the UK, Winchester College. One of the top attractions in Winchester is the cathedral, thought of as one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the UK. Winchester also boasts a Castle, begun under William the Conqueror, the hall houses a very large Round Table, thought to King Arthur's.
Winchester's centrepiece is the famous cathedral, built by the Normans it has left a lasting legacy of their stay here. Winchester Cathedral has an outstanding blend of Norman and Perpendicular styles, inside the cathedral has marble columns and vaulted ceiling to admire. The cathedral is a spectacular sight that illuminates the city and gives the city a great sense of history.
Bishop's Waltham Palace was used by the bishops and senior clergy of Winchester as they travelled through their diocese. Winchester was the richest diocese in England, with its properties suitably grand. There is an exhibition on the Winchester bishops in the farmhouse. This is one of the palaces of the Bishops of Winchester others include Farnham Castle Keep and Wolvesey Castle among them.
Hurst Castle is built by Henry VIII as a coastal fortress and completed back in 1544. Hurst Castle was deemed a good location to defend the western approach to the Solent. The castle was modernised during the Napoleonic wars, two of the huge guns installed in the 1870’s can be viewed in their casemates. The castle played a part in World War II when manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights. The castle now has more public exhibitions and exhibits as well as a cafe for refreshments.
Braxton Herb & Rose Garden is surrounded by 200 acres of farmland, the walled garden was originally planted as a herb garden, the planting has increased through the years to include some unusual cottage garden perennials. The Walled Cottage Garden features a Knot Garden of Germander and Cotton Lavender. The Rose garden boasts nearly 100 different varieties including many old roses such as the Eglantine Rose. There is also a lily pool, visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the gardens and enjoy some tea on the lawns, and this quintessentially English experience is a delight especially in the summer months. There are other refreshments and snacks available here and a gift shop features work by talented local artists.
Jane Austen's House, Chawton contains many mementoes recording her life and writings, this is where the famed author wrote some of her most famous novels such as Pride & Prejudice. She spent most of her life in Hampshire finding inspiration in the county, when writing her works she drew inspiration from friends, social occasions and places all over Hampshire, making Hampshire Jane Austin's Country. See Jane Austen's House Museum for more details.
The New Forest was established back in 1079 by William the Conqueror and has survived as a unique example of medieval landscape. There are now agencies entrusted with safeguarding the Forest for the future. It provides a haven for walkers and picnickers, it draws millions of visitors each year. Cycling is a great way to see the forest and popular among visitors, walking is the other preferred way of experiences the forest and what it offers. The New Forest is a known centre for horses and horse riding. All over the forest you can ponies roaming. The open heaths of the Forest are ideal grounds for lizards, grass snakes and frogs among others, there are a number of species to see here. These can be seen at The New Forest Reptile Centre, which also offers woodland trails.
The New Forest Museum & Visitor Centre in Lyndhurst is a favoured place to start exploring the area, there are plenty of charming villages and wonderful places to eat.
For those that like to take part in activities there is the Calshot Activities Centre in Hampshire, it is one of the largest Outdoor Adventure Centres in the UK. Both residential and non-residential courses are offered here a wide range of water and land based activities. Located on the shores of the Solent, the prime location means you will be at one of the top water-sports locations in the UK. There are some great facilities here including climbing complex, the indoor Velodrome and a dry Ski Slope. There are water-sports, sailing, power boating, canoeing, skiing, tract cycling and many more activities on offer, those that like to be active are likely to love it here. Address: Calshot Spit, Fawley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 1BR and Telephone: +44 (0) 23 8089 2077.
Visitors looking for some refreshments can consider visiting the Courtyard Cafe for a relaxing drink and snacks located at Winchester Guildhall. There are cakes and biscuits served here and why not relax and meet up with friends and family and take in the lovely surroundings. There are paintings by local artists to enjoy or buy should you be interested. Afternoon cream tea is a speciality and one definitely to enjoy, with Internet access also available you can keep in touch with anyone, anywhere. There are also regular jazz and theme evenings.
The Kitchen is located in Petersfield market town, in one of the oldest Tudor houses in Hampshire. The restaurant benefits from having a relaxed decor, this friendly establishment has a nice atmosphere and great food and wine to enjoy. The flexible menu and A la carte menu allow the freshest and most seasonal products to be served. There are regular menu changes to facilitate seasonal variation and widen the choice offered to customers. The restaurant has a good reputation for serving good quality food and wine in nice surrounding and you may wish to consider it when looking for a place to eat. Address: The Kitchen Restaurant & Bar, 2 The Square, Petersfield, GU32 3HJ and Telephone: +44 (0) 1730 260006.
The Star Inn is located in the Hampshire countryside, this 16th century country inn is steeped in the charm and character much like the area that has been celebrated for its beautiful woodland and unspoiled scenery. There is accommodation and an adjoining village cricket pitch making the Star Inn a place to enjoy the picture perfect scene in the Hampshire countryside. It has won various awards and enjoys a friendly welcoming atmosphere.
Hampshire is a county with plenty to offer visitors, from urban centres and bustling city life to the open English countryside and peace and quiet. There is plenty of history in places like Winchester with famous tourist attractions, away from the tourist trail there is
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.