Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Fareham, Hampshire | Go Travel Daily

Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Fareham, Hampshire

A market town situated between Southampton and Portsmouth, Fareham is located just northwest of Portsmouth Harbour.

With the harbour boasting 800 years of naval history, the Ministry of Defence plays a significant role in the local employment landscape, and both the town and the surrounding borough are rich with military heritage.

Portchester Castle represents the best-preserved Roman fortification north of the Alps. Meanwhile, Fort Nelson hosts the Royal Armouries’ impressive artillery collection, which spans 700 years and is situated within a 19th-century structure.

Moreover, Fareham’s factories were responsible for producing the bricks that contributed to the construction of Victorian England. Visitors can engage with this historical narrative at the Westbury Manor Museum and the well-preserved Bursledon Brickworks.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Fareham:

1. Portchester Castle

Portchester Castle

Overlooking the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, Portchester Castle boasts an impressive history spanning 1,800 years. Remarkably, the square walls enclosing the outer bailey were constructed by Romans in the 3rd century and have preserved their original height.

The site served as both a Roman fortification and later as a medieval castle, rebuilt by the Normans in the early 12th century and subsequently reinforced in the 13th century in anticipation of a French invasion. The vast outer bailey was utilized as a strategic base during numerous campaigns, particularly throughout the Hundred Years’ War.

The intact keep includes an exhibition that interprets the castle’s history, providing a free audio tour with details about its notable visitors, including an account of a plot against King Henry V. Visitors are encouraged to ascend the spiral staircase for a stunning panoramic view of the harbour from the keep’s roof.

2. Titchfield Abbey

Titchfield Abbey

In the year 1537, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, King Henry VIII bestowed Titchfield Abbey, a 13th-century site, to the prominent courtier Thomas Wriothesley. Prior to this, the monastery was home to a modest community of Premonstratensians who were devoted scholars, maintaining an extensive library, the catalogue of which survives to this day.

The Tudor residence was eventually abandoned in 1781 and partially dismantled, yet a splendid remnant persists at the former gatehouse, which has been constructed upon the nave of the abbey church that remains intact.

Within the grounds, visitors can discover fragments of the choir and transepts, as well as remnants of the cloister buildings, including entrances to the chapterhouse and library, along with exquisite tilework featuring a Latin inscription before the refectory.

3. Fort Nelson and the Royal Armouries

Fort Nelson And The Royal Armouries

This Palmerston Fort was among five structures erected on Portsdown Hill during the 1860s to safeguard Portsmouth from potential land assaults by France. Following restoration in the 1980s, Fort Nelson encompasses 19 acres of ramparts, ditches, a parade ground, open emplacements, and subterranean tunnels.

Upon its reopening in the 1990s, Fort Nelson became home to the Royal Armouries’ remarkable collection of artillery, including fortress guns from India and China, French field artillery captured at the Battle of Waterloo, and components from the infamous Iraqi “Project Babylon” supergun. Amongst the more exhilarating exhibits are two Medieval artillery pieces: the Boxten Bombard (1450), known for firing 60kg granite balls, and the Turkish Dardanelles Gun (1464), capable of launching stone projectiles exceeding 60cm in diameter.

4. Westbury Manor Museum

Westbury Manor Museum

Housed within a distinguished Georgian manor that formerly accommodated six Admirals of the Fleet, this museum provides comprehensive insights into Fareham’s history. Exhibitions encompass the borough’s earliest settlements, as well as its renowned strawberry production and brick-making industry.

Visitors can learn how Fareham’s red bricks were integral to significant Victorian constructions, including the Royal Albert Hall, and uncover a noteworthy scandal at Fareham Workhouse in 1837 that captured national attention. The museum contains an appealing café, and features multimedia tablets and interactive displays designed to engage younger visitors through the handling of genuine artifacts.

Flanked by an elegant 19th-century extension, the museum’s Victorian formal gardens were designed in the shape of a compass, reflecting the globe-spanning journeys of its former residents.

5. Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve

Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve

Located within the same borough, this vital 369-acre wetland reserve along the banks of the River Meon features marshes, shallow pools, and reedbeds that provide refuge for a wide variety of wildlife. Breeding species such as Cetti’s warblers and bearded tits thrive here, while flocks of golden plover migrate during winter months, and black-headed gulls grace the skies in spring and summer.

Furthermore, over 20 butterfly species and 500 plant species have been cataloged at Titchfield Haven. Eight strategically positioned hides allow visitors to observe wildlife throughout the seasons. An intriguing aspect of this habitat is its manmade origin; the wetland was formed after the River Meon’s mouth was dammed in the 17th century for the creation of the Titchfield Canal.

6. Bursledon Brickworks Museum

Bursledon Brickworks Museum

Visitors have the opportunity to explore the local brick-making industry at Bursledon Brickworks, believed to be the last operational steam-powered brickworks in the United Kingdom. The museum is set in a collection of Grade II* listed buildings established in the late 1890s, remaining functional until 1974. The museum features numerous brick and tile moulds, cutting tables, presses, and machinery that showcase advancements in the industry over two centuries.

The museum also boasts four static steam engines that powered the equipment, which can be activated during special “Steam-Up” days held periodically, allowing visitors to experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of a Victorian factory. Additionally, the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust operates alongside the museum, coordinating events with the Steam-Up days.

7. Little Woodham Living History Museum

Little Woodham Living History Museum

Nestled within a parcel of ancient woodland in Gosport, visitors can partake in a historical experience that transports them back to the mid-17th century. The hamlet of Little Woodham was established for English Civil War reenactments in the 1980s and was preserved by local residents through the Gosport Living History Society when its structures faced demolition.

The site features authentic reproductions of half-timbered homes along with various workshops and tools. Among the attractions is the only working replica of a 17th-century pottery kiln globally, in addition to a sawyer’s yard, blacksmith’s forge, and pottery facilities, all managed by artisans in period attire.

Additionally, visitors may observe a seamstress at work or weavers spinning wool, while children can enjoy traditional tales involving faeries. Given that all staff are volunteers, operations may be sporadic, particularly outside of the summer season.

8. Ferneham Hall

Ferneham Hall

Ferneham Hall offers a vibrant hub of live entertainment as one of the premier performing arts centres in South Hampshire. The venue hosts a diverse array of performances, including theatre, music, dance, comedy, and children’s productions, together with unique events featuring mediums and wrestling spectacles.

In addition, the hall is known for hosting charity balls, occasional talks by renowned personalities, and various community workshops. A notable annual highlight is the pantomime, produced from mid-December through January, frequently featuring television celebrities in its cast.

9. Hill Head Beach

Hill Head Beach

Located east of the dammed mouth of the River Meon and adjacent to the Titchfield National Nature Reserve, Hill Head Beach is characterized by its expanse of shingle and wooden groynes placed at intervals. The western section is bordered by a cliff comprised of brown Pleistocene rock, which gradually gives way to a tarmac pathway and a collection of charmingly painted beach huts as one moves eastward.

Throughout the year, visitors may enjoy leisurely strolls, beachcombing, and striking views across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight or across the waters of Southampton. The beach is situated next to a small harbour, frequently bustling with yachts, windsurfers, and kitesurfers.

10. The Hovercraft Museum

The Hovercraft Museum

HMS Daedalus in Lee-on-Solent served as a crucial shore airfield for the Fleet Air Arm from 1917 to 1996. In the 1960s, early hovercraft were tested on this site by the Joint Service Hovercraft Unit, rendering it a fitting location for a dedicated hovercraft museum, which is open on Saturdays.

The museum houses an impressive collection of over 60 hovercraft, including the last remaining SR.N4, the largest civil hovercraft worldwide. Furthermore, the museum showcases countless fascinating hovercraft artifacts, including the world’s first working hovercraft model designed by inventor Christopher Cockerell, accompanied by extensive visual and documentary archives.

11. Holly Hill Woodland Park

Holly Hill Woodland Park

This enchanting park was once part of Holly Hill Mansion’s estate and was acquired by Fareham Borough Council in 1954. Much of the original Victorian landscaping has been meticulously restored, featuring a sunken garden, a fern grotto, and a series of ornamental lakes with islands and waterfalls.

Several of these features incorporate Pulhamite “stone,” a unique man-made material developed in the 19th century, with its composition remaining a mystery, taken to the grave by its creator, James Pulham.

The park spans over 80 acres and is divided into two primary areas: The ornamental Winnards Copse, which includes formal gardens and diverse exotic plant species, along with the lakes; and Cawtes Copse, a tract of native woodland featuring historic oak trees and managed coppicing of hazel and alder.

12. Titchfield Canal

Established by a descendant of Thomas Wriothesley in the 1600s, this two-mile waterway parallels the reserve, possibly representing the second-oldest canal in the UK. Its original purpose remains uncertain.

However, it is understood that the village of Titchfield thrived as an inland port until the River Meon began to accumulate silt during the 1500s. Consequently, it seems plausible that the canal was constructed to revive trade in Titchfield; alternatively, it may have served an irrigation function.

Regardless, the Titchfield Canal offers a tranquil walking route alongside grazing cattle, extending from the village toward the Solent.

13. Fort Fareham

Fort Fareham

For urban explorers, Fort Fareham represents a 19th-century Palmerston Fort constructed as a junction connecting the Portsdown Forts in the east with the Gosport Line to the south. This Grade II-listed fortification is located in the southern part of Fareham, now redeveloped into a business park, with remaining structures either adapted for commercial use or in a state of decay.

Notably, the fort’s polygonal outline can be discerned on maps, and the most intriguing remnants are located within the surrounding woodlands. Here, visitors can discover the deteriorating casemates and the main west caponier.

The woodland area flanking the fort’s ditch is well-maintained by Fareham Council, providing cleared paths and benches for visitors.

14. Fareham Market

Fareham Market

The pedestrian zone on West Street hosts a bustling weekly market on Mondays, with an additional market day on Thursdays leading up to Christmas. Shoppers can explore a myriad of stalls offering fresh produce, meats, baked goods, cheeses, cut flowers, fashion accessories, and artisanal crafts.

On the first Saturday of each month, an independent farmers’ market brings together up to 40 stalls, emphasizing regional products; all goods including fruits, free-range eggs, meats, cakes, beers, herbs, and cheeses are sourced from within a 100-mile radius of Fareham.

15. Three Choirs Hampshire Vineyard

Three Choirs Hampshire Vineyard

Three Choirs is recognized as one of England’s premier wine labels, operating vineyards in Shedfield, located five miles away, and Gloucestershire. Although the winery is primarily based in Gloucestershire, the Hampshire vineyard regularly organizes wine and dinner experiences every few weeks.

These events typically commence with an enjoyable discussion detailing the vineyard’s history, the varieties of grapes grown such as Triomphe and Rondo, and key aspects of winemaking. Following the talk, participants engage in a tasting session accompanied by canapés and a meal. A shop on-site offers the acclaimed range of wines produced by Three Choirs, operating from Monday to Saturday.

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