Hampshire is a great base for exploring the south of England and many of the area’s most well-known attractions are within easy reach including the New Forest, Isle of Wight and Bournemouth beach, plus London can be reached in an hour. It is an area with stunning natural scenery, fantastic walks and fascinating history.

Winchester
Winchester is the capital of the county as well as the former capital of the country and is well worth a visit. The city’s cathedral was founded in the 11th century and remains at the heart of the community; frequently playing host to concerts inside the ancient walls and buskers in the grounds. Each year the city’s streets welcome the Hat Fair, a three-day festival of street performing, but each week the cobbled streets are lined with bands, jugglers and entertainers who define the city’s bohemian atmosphere. The prestigious Winchester College also plays an important role in the city’s cultural heritage with its architectural buildings and open green spaces in the heart of the city

Historic Ports of Southampton & Portsmouth
Both Southampton and Portsmouth, two of the country’s most important dockyards, lie within Hampshire’s boundaries. Southampton was the departing point for the information Titanic and today remains the major embarkation point for cruises. There are a number of interesting museums in the city including the Museum of Archaeology and The Southampton Maritime Museum which features an exhibition on the Titanic. Since the opening of the West Quay Shopping Centre in September 2000 one of Southampton’s main attractions is the shopping, attracting visitors from all over the south.

Portsmouth remains an important dockyard in the British Navy and is a major attraction for tourists housing HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and Henry VIII’s famous ship Mary Rose. The controversial Spinnaker Tower (originally to be the Millennium Tower) stands 170 metres above the city and gives visitors a stunning view of Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and the Solent.

The New Forest
Established in 1079 by William the Conqueror, the Forest is unique with free-roaming ponies and cattle. It is a popular attraction for picnickers, walkers and cyclists and the unspoilt villages can get very busy during peak periods.