Hampshire is known for exceptionally beautiful countryside including The New Forest, the South Downs and the North Wessex Downs, as well as beautiful coastal towns stretching from Hayling Island in the east to Milford-on-Sea in the west.
The county also takes in the Isle of Wight, historic Portsmouth and the bustling port of Southampton. It is this combination of coast and countryside, attractive towns and picturesque villages, heritage sites and cultural attractions, along with excellent transport connections, which make the county so popular with retirees.
If you’re not familiar with Hampshire, the county is located in South-East England, bordered by Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south, Dorset to the west and Wiltshire to the north-west. Southampton is the county’s largest town, and the county-town is historic Winchester.
1. The chance to explore miles of open countryside on foot, by bike or by car.
2. From Jane Austen’s house in Chawton and Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard to the wealth of historic attractions in Winchester, Hampshire has a rich heritage, historic estate and gorgeous gardens.
3. Winchester is one of England’s most important, historic cities with a rich cultural life.
4. Hampshire is home to some of England’s most picturesque towns and villages – each with interesting, independent shops, a great sense of community with lots of local clubs and societies catering for everything from art, dance and music to specialist interests.
5. Fantastic sporting and leisure opportunities abound – from horse-riding and golf to bird watching and water sports, all set against a backdrop of beautiful countryside.
6. The county offers plenty of opportunities to treat yourself, from spa breaks to afternoon tea.
7. Excellent road and rail links make it easy to travel around Hampshire.
Retiring to Hampshire means having some wonderful, open spaces to explore on foot or by bike. With South Downs National Park in the east, the New Forest National Park in the west and the North Wessex Downs in the north, the county offers an enticing mixture of rolling hills, chalk streams and country parks.
Living here, you’ll be able to follow the South Downs Way which begins in Winchester and stretches 100 miles to Eastbourne in Sussex taking in the Iron Age hillfort sites of Old Winchester Hill, Butser Ancient Farm on Butster Hill and the mixed woodland of Queen Elizabeth Park.
The North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty incorporates the North Hampshire Downs, north of Andover. Set against this scenic backdrop is Highclere Castle, seat of the Carnarvon family and the fictional home of television’s Downton Abbey. The River Test and the River Itchen both flow through the valleys of the Hampshire Downs and, with grasslands and woodlands, chalk streams and chalk downland, this area is a haven for birds, butterflies and wildflowers.
The New Forest is perhaps the most famous of England’s national parks. With over 140 miles worth of walking paths, you’ll be able to explore stunning landscapes, quaint towns and villages and beautiful coastline. From wild ponies to wildlife attractions, you can get close to nature. The New Forest Reptile Centre near Lyndhurst is home to many of the UK’s native reptiles including the sand lizard and adder. At the New Forest Wildlife Park, Ashurst, you can see sika, fallow and roe deer roaming freely – and spot adders, waterfowl, owls and non-native species including lynx and wallabies. At Burley Park, a tractor-drawn trailer ride will take you on a deer safari, whilst at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, you’ll be able to position yourself on the deer-viewing platform.
Image above: The Vyne, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke
Hampshire boasts an abundance of charming towns, grand estates, picturesque gardens, and captivating museums, offering an extensive array of attractions beyond what we can cover in just one blog. If you're considering relocating to a Hampshire town, it is reassuring to know that a range of fantastic day trip options are available. Explore these handpicked suggestions ideal for solo adventures or enjoyable outings with your loved ones below:
The current Hinton Ampner House was built in 1793 on the site of a large Tudor mansion.
The house passed into the hands of the Dutton family in 1803 and their descendants owned the estate until it passed to the National Trust. The house was remodelled in 1867 and, again, in the late 1930s but in 1960, after being badly damaged by fire, it was restored to its Georgian dimensions.
The ground floor of the house now hosts a collection of ceramics and art works. The gardens with manicured lawns, avenues of sculpted topiary, rose borders and views across the South Downs, are open to the public. There are also walks around the estate and a café for when you’re in need of refreshments.
Dating back to 1201, Mottisfont, near Romsey, started life as a medieval priory and for over 800 years has witnessed a succession of owners and hosted some of the world’s finest artists.
Today, you can enjoy fantastic exhibitions of classic and contemporary art and outdoor theatre performances. The river gardens and acres of woodland are wonderful places to explore – and there’s a world-famous collection of roses as well as a winter garden.
The Vyne is a Grade I listed 16th century country house located in Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke.
Built on the site of a medieval manor of the same name, the house - built in around 1500 - was transformed in the 17th century to resemble a classical manor but still retains its Tudor chapel.
The Vyne is home to a collection of treasures including furniture, tapestries and paintings, Murano glass and silk wall hangings. Outside are 13 acres of beautiful gardens with a formal summerhouse, stone gallery gardens, a more natural wild garden and orchard and walled garden. Visitors can follow woodland trails and spot bird life in the wetlands.
Jane Austen’s House in the village of Chawton, is a small independent museum with a fascinating collection of objects associated with the author, including letters written by her and personal effects belonging to Austen and her family, including first editions of her books, along with letters and jewellery.
Located in Southampton, this restored 15th century house now operates as a museum.
The existing Tudor House and Garden dates back to around 1495 when Sir John Dawtry, an important local official, had the house built using materials from the houses which previously stood on the spot.
Adjacent to the Tudor House and accessible from the garden is a Norman townhouse bearing the impressive name of King John’s Palace. Carefully restored, this stone-built Norman merchant’s house was first built in around 1180.
In the early 14th century, it was incorporated into the town’s defensive walls and gun ports were built into the structure. Despite this, the house continued to be occupied over the years and was, at different times, used as a home, business premises and an 18th century coach house and stables.
Built in the 13th century as the gatehouse to Beaulieu Abbey in Brockenhurst, Beaulieu Palace House has been described as one of the ‘few treasure houses of England.’
The house passed into the hands of the Montagu family and is still owned and inhabited by Lord and Lady Montagu - descendants of the 1st Earl of Southampton. Palace House and the abbey remains were first opened to the public by Edward, Lord Montagu in 1952.
Today, it forms part of Beaulieu which includes the National Motor Museum, beautiful gardens with a monorail, rides and a secret army exhibition focusing on the Special Operatives Executive Training which took place at Beaulieu during World War II.
As the ancient capital of England, Winchester has an impressive array of historical attractions.
The city is home to a world-famous cathedral, one of the oldest, continuously running schools in the country, the fine surviving medieval hall of Winchester Castle – and the legendary King Arthur’s round table. In addition to Westgate and Winchester City museums, on the upper floor of the Brooks Shopping there’s an immersive experience where you can get a sense of Anglo-Saxon Winchester.
Winchester isn’t just about history though – it’s an excellent shopping centre and cultural destination. The Arc library, exhibition, gallery and performance venue are located in a Grade II listed building on Jewry Street. The Theatre Royal is also on Jewry Street and the Chesil Theatre on Chesil Street is home to the Winchester Dramatic Society. Winchester boasts one of the UK’s largest farmers’ markets and some fantastic restaurants which showcase the finest British ingredients. Well-known chefs including Raymond Blanc and Rick Stein have restaurants here and The Ivy Winchester Brasserie and the Bistro at the Hotel du Vin are just a couple of a range of independent and popular chain dining venues.
There are so many beautiful locations to visit in Hampshire – and here we highlight just a few.
Tucked away in the Hamble Valley, just 12 miles south of Winchester, Bishops Waltham is a vibrant, medieval market town with one ‘foot’ in the South Downs National Park.
A tributary of the River Hamble flows south, through the village, through the North and South Ponds and then out towards Botley.
Starting off as an early Anglo-Saxon village walt-ham (meaning a settlement in the forest) grew to become one of Hampshire’s largest villages – despite being burned to the ground by the Danes in 1001 AD. In 1136, Henry de Blois, who became a bishop, built a new church and, in 1158, started work on a palace which was to host many royal visitors.
Mary Tudor waited here for the arrival of her future husband, Philip II of Spain, prior to her marriage. The palace was destroyed on the orders of Oliver Cromwell in 1644 during the English Civil War but the ruins are still open to the public and the palace grounds are used for festivals and events.
The vast fish pond, across Winchester Road, was created for the early Bishops of Winchester. Now, used by the town’s fishing club, the pond attracts wildfowl and wildlife. The northern part of the pond floods in winter but dries out in summer and the boardwalk allows people to walk over it. St Peter’s Church, dating from Norman times, has been a place of worship for over 900 years and features artefacts from various eras.
Bishop’s Waltham is home to The Chase, a 1,000-acre area, once the palace deer park. This area of semi-natural woodland, fen, grassland and open water is designated a Site of Scientific Interest and is a wetland of national importance for its wildflowers and unusual habitat. It is the main source of the Hamble River and a place where springs bubble and streams feed a mill pond. On the outskirts of Bishop Waltham is the Claylands Local Nature Reserve once the site of an old clay works.
Bishop’s Waltham has plenty of shops, including a butcher’s, bakery, fishmongers and post office as well as a branch of Sainsbury and the Co-op. For eating out, there’s a bistro, a couple of coffee and wine bars, a Tandoori restaurant, an Italian restaurant and several traditional pubs. The country market operates from the Jubilee Hall selling home-cooked meals, home-baked cakes and savouries, jams, chutneys and marmalades along with local free-range eggs, honey and crafts.
There’s no shortage of clubs and societies in Bishop’s Waltham. There’s a Bishops Waltham Society with monthly meetings, a social club, choral societies, the Meon Valley U3A, a branch of the WI, a private gym offering classes and social calendar for members.
This village has been described as a ‘little paradise’ for anyone who enjoys getting out and about, as it’s surrounded by some of Hampshire’s most beautiful countryside.
Walking, cycling and riding trails make it easy to explore the woodland and water meadows of the Meon Valley. The West Walk, in the ancient Forest of Bere, is one of the most popular woodland walks – and there’s the 10-mile Meon Valley Trail which starts in Wickham and follows the disused railway track to West Meon where it connects with the South Downs Way and the Wayfarers’ Walk. There’s also the Wickham Wander, a 5.27 mile walk from Wickham Square which follows the railway line, part of the Pilgrims’ Trail and passes the Forest of Bere before returning to the Square.
Wickham Square is the second largest medieval market square in the country and the village itself boasts some architectural gems from 15th century cottages to elegant Georgian houses. In the heart of the village are a number of independent shops selling gifts, chocolates, crafts and antiques – and when you’re in need of a break, there are plenty of places to eat and drink.
Fareham is a bustling market town, located between Southampton and Portsmouth. Here, you’ll discover about 300 shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs and a great entertainment scene.
Fareham is, however, best known for its markets. People from all over Hampshire visit the traditional open-air market, held in West Street every Monday. There’s also an independent Farmers’ market held on the first Saturday of the month throughout the year as well as special seasonal farmers’ markets. The gardeners’ markets are held in West Street on the second Saturday in May and June offering the pick of the season’s plants from local growers.
The town also has a bright, undercover shopping centre with approximately 80 High Street names including Boots and Next. The former Ferneham Hall is currently being transformed into ‘Fareham Live’ – a new community, arts and entertainment centre due to open in 2024. There’s also the Ashcroft Arts Centre with a 147-seat theatre, art gallery, art studio, dance studio and café and bar. In the centre of Fareham, next to the bus terminal, is the REEL Cinema with five screens and there’s also a Cineworld in the Whiteley Shopping Centre.
Whether you enjoy taking part in sports activities or just watching sport, you’ll have plenty of opportunities in Hampshire. Being a coastal county, you’ll find top world-class sailing, windsurfing and kayaking on the Solent and plenty of harbours, marinas and estuaries to explore by boat. Hayling Island offers sailing courses for everyone from beginners to experienced sailors whilst Calshot Activity Centre on the edge of the New Forest provides a range of water sports including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, powerboating and paddle boarding lessons.
If you’re looking for Hampshire cricket, Hampshire County Cricket Club is one of 18 first-class county clubs in England and Wales.
The team plays at the Rose Bowl in West End, Eastleigh. Most of the villages and towns in Hampshire have their own cricket clubs which welcome new members and players of all ages. Bishops Waltham Cricket Club, founded in 1772, has three Saturday sides competing in the Hampshire Cricket League, an evening side in the Winchester Cricket League, a friendly Sunday side, a women’s softball team and a flourishing juniors section with teams from the under 9s to the under 17s.
There are some beautiful golf courses in Hampshire and some of the best can be found here.
The Hampshire Golf Club located in Clatford, south of Andover, is one of the finest in the Test Valley. The Manor Course is 6380 yards long and, because it is set on free-draining chalk downland, the course has never been closed due to wet weather. The clubhouse has a bar, function room and sports massage facility – and the golf academy offers courses and lessons for all abilities. The nearest golf clubs to Bishops Waltham are Swanmore Golf Centre in Wickham and Meon Valley Hotel Golf & Country Club in Shedfield.
Coast and countryside make Hampshire an ideal place for birdwatching. Some of the best places to observe birdlife can be found here.
Hampshire has its own ornithological society with a £16 annual membership subscription and in addition to regular newsletters, events and organised walks, the society’s "going birding" website posts daily bird sightings in Hampshire.
For football fans, two of the county’s most prominent football teams in recent history are Southampton Football Club and Portsmouth Football Club – both of which are within easy reach of Bishop's Waltham.
If you’re living in Hampshire and want to treat yourself – or a friend or loved one, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Take a look at the spa breaks on offer – and you’ll find so many places to relax and unwind, surrounded by scenic countryside.
Chewton Glen in New Milton is an award-winning spa in the New Forest offering 12 treatment rooms, a private steam room, a nail studio, a pool hall with a lap pool, hydrotherapy pool, steam room, outdoor whirlpool, saunas and amethyst crystal steam room. You can use the gym, take a yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or Physio-Flex class, play tennis, golf or croquet, go jogging, walk along the beach or have some personal training.
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is another delightful venue. The restored mansion, set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside in Dogmersfield near Hook, is a hotel and spa offering seasonal food and drink, spa treatments and special events. Staying at the hotel, you’re able to take carriage rides through the estate, join cocktail-making classes or experience luxurious treatments. You can have tennis lessons, learn archery or axe throwing.
At the Hampshire Court Hotel and Spa in Basingstoke, there’s a choice of spa breaks, spa days or spa treatments. There’s also a health club with two indoor pools, five indoor tennis courts and a gym as well as a selection of group sessions including spin classes and outdoor boot camps. Afterwards, there’s the steam room and sauna – and a mind and body studio – where you’ll be able to relax.
Afternoon tea is a wonderful treat – whether for a birthday or just as a special finale to a day spent exploring the countryside. Hampshire has a host of wonderful venues, from luxurious country mansions to cosy tea rooms serving the afternoon tea staples of fresh sandwiches, scones and delicious cakes.
Step into ‘Downton Abbey’ with afternoon tea at Highclere Castle – and you’ll be able to tour the house and, during the summer, relax with a drink at the outdoor bar.
It’s one of the more expensive afternoon tea venues but for Downton Abbey fans, it’s excellent value and worth the wait – as you have to book months in advance.
Hampshire has excellent transport networks. If you’re travelling by car, the M3 leads from London to Winchester and the M27/A27 connects Southampton with Sussex. The A3 also connects London and Portsmouth, entering Hampshire just after the Hindhead tunnel, passing Liphook, Bramshott and Petersfield, over the South Downs, and close to Clanfield and Horndean on the way to Portsmouth.
There’s an extensive railway network across Hampshire with direct links to London from many stations. The operators within the county include Southwestern Railway which provides services to London Waterloo, Southampton and Southampton Airport, Winchester and Basingstoke as well as to Woking, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth. Southern Trains provide south-coast services between Southampton, Portsmouth and Brighton, linking with Gatwick Airport, Fareham and Havant. For services between Cardiff and Portsmouth, via Southampton, calling at Fareham, Cosham, Romsey, Salisbury, Bath and Bristol, you will need to take the First Great Western line whilst Cross Country Trains operate an hourly service from Southampton to Manchester calling at Winchester, Basingstoke, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham. There’s also a service from Southampton to Newcastle which stops at Derby, Sheffield and York as well as Winchester, Basingstoke, Oxford and Birmingham.
Bus services are mainly operated by Stagecoach, First Group and Blue Star and, in Hampshire, it’s possible to travel by water. The Hythe Ferry links Southampton and the village of Hythe, the Gosport ferry links Gosport with Portsmouth, the Hamble Ferry operates a service from Hamble to Warsash and the Hayling Ferry is the best way to travel between Portsmouth and Hayling Island.
This new development, with an adjacent care home, is launching in 2024 and will be perfectly placed in the Conservation Area next to Bishop’s Waltham Palace and overlooking South Pond, just a few minutes’ walk from the High Street.
The collection of elegant new and converted houses and apartments will include both retirement properties and homes created by Beechcroft’s Special Projects Division, along with a new care home.
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