Hampshire

HAMPSHIRE – WHY GO?

Set sail from seafaring Lymington - a yachties' Mecca - for the Isle of Wight, famous for its breezy Cowes Week regatta. Spot wild ponies in the wild tracts of the New Forest, and live it up on the beaches of Bournemouth - on the edge of Dorset  - with its seaside cafes and pier.

MUST SEE, MUST DO

New Forest
Discover this nature-lover’s paradise on foot, by bicycle or on horseback – along the well signposted routes you’ll find plenty of picnic sites to stop and soak up all the sights, smells and sounds of the forest. Local experts run guided walks of the forest, exploring the folklore, geology and wildlife of the area. Listen out for the clatter of hooves – you might see wild ponies prancing past.

The Solent
Buzzing towns dot the banks of the Solent – a strait of water that separates the mainland from the Isle of Wight. Head to waterside Southampton for art galleries, museums and theatres, or don your deck shoes in Lymington and take to the sea in one of the world’s best yachting resorts.

Winchester
Explore Winchester’s famous cathedral, which dates back to the 7^th Century, or engross yourself in ancient myths at the legendary Arthurian Round table in the ruins of the Great Hall of Winchester Castle. Spy fortified medieval gateways in the city and take a look at the ruins of the medieval Bishop's Palace at Wolvesey Castle.

Jane Austen
Walk in Jane’s footsteps on a trail that explores the places that inspired her most celebrated novels. Visit her birthplace at Steventon and take a trip to Chawton where she wrote many of her famous works and end in her final resting place at Winchester Cathedral.

Isle of Wight
Take a short ferry ride to this beautiful diamond island in the not-so-rough sea. Pretty beaches, hidden coves and crab shacks, semi-tropical gardens and stunning coastal walks past the famous white Needles make the island a great place to enjoy together.

MAKE A DATE

July
Tuck into local delights and meet the producers at this tasty Hampshire Food Festival.

July
From pig racing and motorbike stunt displays to crafts, local produce and livestock – there’s something for everyone at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show.

July
See classic aircraft and amazing air displays at the biennial Farnborough International Air Show.

August
See the Solent alight with coloured sails in Skandia Cowes Week – the biggest event in the sailing calendar

HAMPSHIRE ROMANCE
Enjoy a sundowner in the bar at the top of Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower.