Holiday cottage in Hampshire – Nature, history and coast
Accommodation in Hampshire
Hampshire is considered a diverse county with urban, coastal and rural areas. In the south, the Solent forms the county’s coastal area and includes the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton. Between these maritime areas, historic places and expansive landscapes lie numerous diverse experiences: Jane Austen’s final home, Gothic architecture, museums with historic vehicles and objects, national parks, water activities, as well as wineries using traditional winemaking methods and classic Champagne grape varieties.
File:Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK - Diliff.jpg
Photo: Diliff via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Culture
In Chawton, Jane Austen’s House was the writer’s final home. There, she wrote and revised six of her novels. Visitors can explore the house and cottage garden, as well as take part in practical activities. Winchester Cathedral preserves an early Norman crypt as part of its historic architectural features. At the same time, it has the longest nave and the greatest overall length of all Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
Winchester’s Great Hall was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Henry III and is one of England’s most significant surviving medieval great halls. The legendary Round Table of King Arthur is displayed on one end wall. Free guided tours take place at regular intervals throughout the day, subject to demand.
Milestones Museum displays more than 40 carefully restored historic vehicles, including the only surviving tram from Portsmouth. With costumed performers and demonstrations, it brings Hampshire’s past to life. More than 40,000 objects provide an insight into how people in Basingstoke and the surrounding area lived, worked, shopped and travelled in the past. In Beaulieu, the National Motor Museum is dedicated to automotive history and has more than 300 vehicles and objects; these include Formula One cars and vehicles belonging to land-speed record holders. Palace House in Beaulieu has been the home of the Montagu family since 1538.
Whitchurch Silk Mill is a living museum and a silk mill built in 1815 that still weaves in its original building. It is considered the oldest silk mill of its kind in England. Visitors can watch the looms and water wheel in operation and view changing exhibitions. The historic Watercress Line in Alresford offers train journeys where visitors can experience the golden age of steam railways. In the centre of Southampton, SeaCity Museum presents the city’s maritime history and its historic links with the Titanic and the sea through an interactive experience for all ages.
Nature
The South Downs National Park stretches across around 1,600 square kilometres of England, from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east. Its chalk hills and dry valleys run through Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex. From the hilltops, the national park offers walkers and cyclists far-reaching panoramic views. It is also home to rare species such as the nightjar, silver-spotted skipper and adder.
The New Forest covers 566 square kilometres, with extensive areas of untouched woodland and heathland as well as river valleys. Deer, ponies and cattle roam freely through the ancient heaths and forests. New Forest National Park offers more than 140 miles of paths and footpaths.
Activities
Hampshire’s public rights of way include footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic, granting the public a right of way. In total, Hampshire has 3,000 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways extending across two national parks. Cyclists have access to more than 750 miles of off-road cycle routes.
Calshot is an RYA training centre and offers windsurfing courses and experiences for all ability levels. Beachlands on Hayling Island is suitable for paddling and sea swimming. The range of activities therefore extends from extensive routes through forests, heathland and hilly countryside to activities on the water.
Wine
The wineries in Hampshire use traditional winemaking methods and the classic Champagne grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Other places in Hampshire
Winchester, Swanmore, Sutton Scotney, Stockbridge, South Hayling, Shedfield, Rotherwick, Romsey, Ringwood, Plaitford, New Milton, Milford On Sea, Lyndhurst, Liphook, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Horndean, Hook, Heckfield, Havant, Hartley Wintney, Froxfield, Fleet, Farnborough, Fareham, Emsworth, Eastleigh, Clanfield, Cadnam, Burley, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Basingstoke, Andover, Aldershot, Yateley, Eversley, Hound, Totton, Stroud, Lower Froyle, Alton, Tadley, Botley, Hythe, St Mary Bourne, Kingsclere, Thruxton, Petersfield, Netley Marsh, Nursling, Bransgore, Oakley, Exton, Waterlooville, North Waltham, Littleton, Rowlands Castle, Gosport, Lee-On-The-Solent, Fordingbridge, Bartley, Bordon, Martin, Boldre, Bishop's Waltham, Liss, Crondall, Whitehill, Twyford, Sherfield On Loddon, Overton, West Wellow, Wickham, Fair Oak, Alresford, Wolverton, Monk Sherborne, Hayling Island, Titchfield, Sandleheath, Hordle, Hambledon, Hamble-Le-Rice, Ellingham, East Meon, Buriton, Hedge End, Damerham, Steep, Micheldever Station, East Tisted, Houghton, Breamore, Kilmeston, Sherfield English, Herriard, Barton on Sea, Whitsbury, Micheldever, Litchfield, Cheriton, Abbotts Ann, Rockbourne, Penton Mewsey, Sarisbury Green
To the higher-level travel overview: South East England.
