Summary
From the magnificent ports along the Solent in the south to the rich historical landscape of Winchester and the beauty of its National Parks and rural retreats, Hampshire boasts remarkable diversity.
Ultimately, deciding what suits your preferences is essential, whether you are drawn to a medieval market town featuring a Norman church, a charming enclave of thatched cottages, or a unique location like Chawton, where Jane Austen resided.
Since the Norman conquest, monarchs would visit Hampshire for hunting excursions, with the New Forest offering a remarkably preserved natural setting of moors, heath, glades, and beech forest that a medieval king would undoubtedly recognize today.
Let us explore the best places to visit in Hampshire:
1. Portsmouth
There is no better destination than Portsmouth for those interested in England’s naval heritage.
A military harbour has existed here since Roman times, showcasing remarkable historical pieces: HMS Victory, which served as Lord Nelson’s flagship during his demise at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Moreover, the compelling narrative of the Mary Rose, a Tudor warship that sank in the Solent in 1545 before being salvaged in 1982, restored, and finally displayed to the public in 2016, adds to the allure. Additionally, you can enjoy a contemporary boat tour around the harbor where the current navy is stationed.
2. Southampton
A sophisticated spa town in the 1700s, Southampton experienced significant growth during the Victorian era with the establishment of docks and shipyards.
During this time, it was referred to as the “Gateway to the Empire”. Interestingly, a third of the victims from the Titanic tragedy were from Southampton. As the ship embarked from this port, it is fitting that you can explore a designated “Titanic Trail” here.
The SeaCity Museum provides firsthand accounts and numerous artefacts that enrich your understanding of this maritime event.
The iconic Spitfire, a notable British design, also originated in Southampton; explore its history at the Solent Sky Museum.
3. New Forest
The New Forest National Park encompasses 380 square kilometers of beech and oak forest, open pasture, and heathland, mostly located within Hampshire’s borders.
For nature enthusiasts, hikers, and campers, there is no comparable area in the southeast of England or the home counties.
Among the wildlife roaming freely in these woods and moors are cattle, New Forest ponies, deer, and donkeys, which can be spotted during invigorating walks and cycling adventures.
Furthermore, numerous man-made attractions exist, including local breweries and the splendid 13th-century Beaulieu Palace House, which features Beaulieu Abbey and the National Motor Museum.
4. Winchester
Established by the Romans as Venta Belgarum, Winchester is a city rich in history.
In the Saxon era, the 9th-century King Alfred the Great designated Winchester as the capital of Wessex, and subsequently all of England after repelling the Vikings.
The Norman Winchester Cathedral, renowned for having the longest nave of any Gothic cathedral in Europe, is not only visually stunning but also serves as the burial site of the author Jane Austen.
For history enthusiasts, Winchester offers extensive opportunities for exploration.
Additionally, noteworthy medieval attractions, including the 14th-century Winchester College, the 12th-century St. Cross Hospital, and the majestic Great Hall of the former Winchester Castle, which add to the city’s historical appeal.
Coupled with a functioning watermill and a diverse range of museums, Winchester is a destination that merits at least a couple of days.
5. South Downs National Park
The South Downs National Park is a large expanse of hilly countryside that extends considerably into East Hampshire and reaches as far as Winchester in the county’s center.
A typical landscape in this newly designated park features lush green rolling hills, hedgerows, charming villages with thatched cottages, and inviting countryside pubs.
This area serves as an educational hub for children, allowing them to discover how humans have influenced the landscape through agriculture and forestry at local farms.
Moreover, it is ideal for peaceful walks through undulating fields adorned with sheep and cows, as well as meadows filled with wildflowers during the month of June.
6. Andover
Heading northwest, you will pass through picturesque countryside characterized by smooth chalk hills.
Andover is situated in the Hampshire Downs, a region known for its rich agricultural land and undulating wheat fields.
The tallest hills in this area were once Iron Age hill-forts, including the notable Danebury near Andover.
A visit to the free Museum of the Iron Age in Andover allows you to explore 5,000-year-old artefacts excavated from this historical site.
The local Finkley Down Farm Park provides children’s farmyard favorites, while the Hawk Conservancy Trust offers mesmerizing birds of prey demonstrations.
7. Romsey
The Test Valley is cherished for its charming towns and villages, with the market town of Romsey ranking among the most picturesque.
In the heart of Romsey stands a Norman abbey that managed to endure the Dissolution of the Monasteries, as it was also utilized by the local community as a parish church.
Visitors can enter to admire the exquisite architecture and stained glass windows while uncovering fascinating stories about the community of nuns who once resided there.
The surrounding streets are delightful, lined with 18th-century townhouses, half-timbered inns, and cottages.
In July and August, you can take a guided tour of the splendid Broadlands, the country estate where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip spent their honeymoon in 1947.
8. Alton
Tuesday serves as market day in Alton, offering a time-honored tradition dating back to at least the 11th century, making it the most significant market recorded in the esteemed Domesday Book of 1086. The 11th-century Church of St.
Lawrence witnessed the final moments of the Battle of Alton during the English Civil War, as Royalists fortified around the church and were ultimately overpowered by Parliamentarian forces.
Evidence of musket fire can still be seen on the south door.
The interior is captivating, featuring 15th-century frescoes, an Anglo-Saxon font, and a small collection of artefacts from the battle of 1643.
9. Lymington
Located on the southern edge of the New Forest, Lymington is an elegant Georgian coastal town at the river’s mouth of the same name.
Given its location along the Solent, sailing is integral to Lymington’s culture, making it an excellent venue for lessons.
For boat enthusiasts, crossing over the strait to the Isle of Wight or embarking on a scenic trip up the Lymington River into the New Forest, where semi-wild ponies are seen grazing, offers unique experiences.
The charming cobblestone streets, inns, and flat-fronted residences warrant a leisurely stroll, revealing the town’s history as a hub for smugglers in the 18th century.
The recently restored Lymington Open Air Sea Water Baths is the oldest lido in the UK, dating back to 1833.
10. Basingstoke
Initially a modest market town, Basingstoke experienced substantial expansion in the post-war era, transforming into a commuter town for London.
Accessible by train from Waterloo in just 45 minutes, and with the M3 motorway nearby, it serves as an ideal base for exploring the surrounding attractions.
Among these is Silchester, a village located adjacent to the remains of a Roman Oppidum, home to perhaps the best-preserved Roman wall in England.
At the Milestones Museum, visitors can experience life in Hampshire during the Victorian era and the 1930s.
Explore reconstructions of homes, facilities, and streets enriched with authentic artefacts, including a vintage Portsmouth tramcar and vehicles from defunct Hampshire manufacturers such as Taskers of Andover and Thornycroft.
11. Lyndhurst
Recognized as the unofficial capital of the New Forest, Lyndhurst stands as the largest village within the park.
Following the New Forest becoming a royal hunting ground in the 1070s, this area was frequented by royalty for almost eight centuries.
Many visited a manor at the site of what is now the Queen’s House, which was reconstructed in the 1600s. King George III became the last monarch to stay here in 1789. St.
Michael and All Angels Church, built during the Victorian era, features remarkable interior frescoes painted by the pre-Raphaelite Frederic Leighton.
Naturally, Lyndhurst is surrounded by stunning landscapes, including a deer sanctuary where visitors can quietly observe deer herds.
12. Chawton
Located just moments from Alton, the small village of Chawton is forever associated with Jane Austen, one of Britain’s most esteemed authors.
She resided in a cottage here for the last eight years of her life, during which she revised “Sense and Sensibility” and authored “Mansfield Park” and “Persuasion.”
Her residence now serves as a museum, making it a crucial stop for Austen enthusiasts.
There are several notable sites around the village to enrich your Austen experience; Jane’s mother and sister are interred at St.
Nicholas Church, while Chawton House, a 16th-century manor owned by Jane’s brother, hosts a foundation dedicated to early women’s writing.
Public tours of the house are available on weekday afternoons and Sundays.
13. Stockbridge
While small in size, the village of Stockbridge is rich in historical architecture.
It boasts over 20 listed buildings, primarily constructed during the 1600s and 1700s, with the oldest exhibiting elements dating back to the 1200s.
Like many main streets in the region, the primary thoroughfare through Stockbridge is notably wide.
This reflects its history as a cattle drovers’ route, used by shepherds who would walk their livestock all the way from Wales to market in London during medieval times.
Furthermore, Stockbridge sits on the edge of the Salisbury Plain, a massive chalk plateau that has served as a military training area since the 19th century.
Visit the Museum of Army Flying in nearby Middle Wallop for an impressive collection of vintage aircraft.
14. Petersfield
Nestled within the gentle green landscapes of the South Downs National Park, Petersfield was established during the 12th century.
The Church of St. Peter, dating back to 1120, maintains much of its original Norman architecture, despite some alterations over the years.
Visit the markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, along with the farmers’ market held on the first Sunday of every month.
The high street features a “physic garden,” planted with the same herbs found in historical medicinal gardens.
The natural surroundings of Petersfield are spectacular, particularly Heath Pond, which lies in expanses of heathland and serves as a habitat for waterfowl.
15. Fareham
Tucked into the western corner of Portsmouth Harbour lies the market town of Fareham.
This town underwent substantial development during the 1960s and 70s, resulting in it being less picturesque than some of the other locations.
Nonetheless, it offers numerous attractions in proximity.
Initially, the ruins of Titchfield Abbey, managed by English Heritage, have remarkably survived over the centuries.
The refectory still showcases a medieval floor mosaic reminding monks to attend to the less fortunate.
Additionally, Portchester Castle, once a hunting lodge for King John, was briefly seized by the French in the early 13th century.
Gain insight into Fareham’s history at the Westbury Manor Museum, where you can learn about the local brickworks that supplied materials for the Royal Albert Hall.
