Top Hampshire Holiday Locations
Top Hampshire Holiday Locations
Hampshire offers a diverse range of scenery, culture, history and activities for everybody to enjoy. It has always been a popular holiday destination for people looking to escape to the coast or enjoy the lush, rolling countryside of the South Downs and beyond.
Each town and village has its own unique personality. Because of this, determining the top destinations for everybody is extremely difficult. Whilst the hustle and bustle of Southampton might suit some, the quite serenity of a village like Alresford, Soberton or Twyford could be heaven. Here we'll take a look at three of the more popular destinations though and activities available to visitors.
Portsmouth and Southsea
Portsmouth is a city steeped in history. Over the years it has spawned and attracted luminaries such as Charles Dickens, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle (who also co-founded the local football team and even played goalkeeper) and Peter Sellers.
It has also been the home of the British Navy for centuries. This legacy can be seen by the fortifications that punctuate the coastline and Portsdown Hill (which overlooks the city) as well as the Historic Dockyard. Housing the HMS Victory, The Mary Rose and HMS Warrior this offers a step back in time for all visitors. You can also tour the harbour to see the new fleet in specially organised boat trips.
Other attractions include the D-Day Museum, Natural History Museum and City Museum. You can also survey the surrounding area from the fantastic 170 metre tall Spinnaker Tower in the recently developed Gunwharf Quays shopping area. For outdoor fun there's Clarence Pier with a whole range of funfair rides and amusements as well as Southsea common and pitch and putt golf course.
New Forest
This sprawling area of woodland and heaths offers a fantastic destination for a family break. It's perfect for those who enjoy the outdoor life, offering the perfect landscape to enjoy walking, horse riding and cycling.
You've got picturesque little towns and villages dotted around the New Forest, including Beaulieu (home of the British Motor Museum), Lyndhurst and Lymington. With the combination of the gorgeous coastline and countryside it blends a number of elements that are unique to this part of Hampshire. There's plenty to see and do, plus you can choose to camp, stay in a local B&B or enjoy a luxurious hotel, making the New Forest and ideal location for travellers from all walks of life.
Winchester
Unlike Portsmouth, Winchester has maintained a great deal of its original character. As a former capital of Britain and home of King Arthur (of the Round Table fame), it offers charm and history as well as a contemporary bustling high street.
You can still visit the 13th Century Great Hall which houses The Round Table and the medieval cathedral in the heart of the city. There are also a number of fantastic restaurants, antiques shops and bars scattered through the winding streets.
Winchester is surrounded by rolling countryside and is the perfect place from which to explore nearby towns and villages. Twyford, Alresford (home of the Watercress Line) and Cheriton are all quaint places to explore for walkers, real ale lovers and those of an inquisitive nature. A late spring morning tea Wuyi frostbite Fresno Hotels Offer Perfect Springboard for Discovering Kings Canyon National Park Different Techniques Made Specifically Newly Weds Executives And Travel Oriented People In Nabbing L Reserve Your Kauai Beachfront Hotel Rooms And Enjoy One Perfect Travel Immediately New Travel Destination Nubra Valley in North India Goa Honeymoon Tours - Make your Next Honeymoon in Goa Khasab Tour A Platform To Be Happy Vanuatu: The Ultimate Island Paradise Cheap But Memorable And Perfect Tour With The Help Of Las Vegas Nevada Tour Deals How To Lease Vauxhall For Comfortable Travel? Wonderful Purple Scarf as well as other Striped Scarves Combine A few words about the resort of Kislovodsk before traveling there Night Driving Glasses Provide You With Relief From The Hazards Connected With Nighttime Hours Travel