Both coast and countryside make for many compelling contrasts in delightful Hampshire. Bustling Portsmouth and Southampton, with their historic maritime connections, provide for a fascinating day out – as does the county’s capital of Winchester and its glorious cathedral. Stay inland to discover many large tracts of quiet countryside and picture-postcard villages. Plus, no stay on one of the holiday parks in Hampshire would be complete without a visit to the enchanting New Forest, filled with wild ponies, donkeys and pigs.
There is beautiful coastline in Hampshire. Lymington is filled with boutiques, cobbled streets and the Old Town Quay is still used by commercial fishing boats – so if you’re sampling the local seafood, you can be sure it’s fresh. You can also hop on the ferry for a day trip to the Isle of Wight where you could visit the Isle of Wight Zoo, Garlic Farm or Cowes Maritime Museum.
Between Chichester and Portsmouth, you’ll find the unspoilt Hayling Island, reachable by road bridge or ferry. Relax on the European Blue Flag beach, take a trip to the World War II Heritage Trail or get active with beach volleyball and swimming.
Hampshire is bursting with places to take your little ones. Paultons Park is a day out for thrill-seekers and is also home to the ever-popular character, Peppa Pig.
Beaulieu delivers everything a motor enthusiast would like to see, all set against abbey ruins. Marwell Zoo has an impressive range of creatures including red pandas, elephants and even sloths – take the train tour or walk round, stopping at the playgrounds along the way.
Portsmouth Historic Dockland & Mary Rose Museum gives you the chance to step aboard the Royal Navy’s well-known warship, the HMS Victory. Experience life during the Age of Steam and go back even further in time to explore the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s most famous ship.
Travel inland to the New Forest for a day trip to Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway. The 200-acre gardens are over 100 years old and were designed by the de Rothschild family. Stroll through the wildflower gardens, spot wildlife by the dragonfly pond and be amazed by the herbaceous, centenary and sundial gardens.
History buffs won’t be left short of things to do in Hampshire. There are National Trust properties, Mottisfont Abbey and Gardens, West Green House and Garden, Hinton Ampner and the Georgian home of Uppark.
Winchester is a city absolutely steeped in history and you’ll find plenty of castle ruins. Relive your childhood stories at Westgate and The Great Hall in the city centre, the location of King Arthur’s Round Table. Not far from here, you’ll find the cathedral, with its gorgeous architecture, art, treasures and stained-glass windows.
You might recognise Highclere Castle from popular show Downton Abbey. This impressive property has been reimagined a couple of times since its first iteration back in 749. The First World War saw the house adapt into a hospital to care for wounded soldiers, and in the Second World War it became home to evacuee children. Today you can explore some of the up to 300 rooms including cellars and staff quarters, with a quick stop at the Egyptian Exhibition
You will find over 20 holiday parks and campsites offering a range of holiday accommodation; from luxury lodges to glamping pods, and static caravans – but if you fancy bringing your own tent or motorhome – many of the Hampshire holiday parks provide first class facilities for motor homes, touring caravans and those that just want to pitch their tent for a couple of days.
A wonderful combination of coast, country and historic towns, Hampshire is a great holiday getaway.
