The southern English county of Hampshire is only two hours from London by car or by frequent rail services. The county has much to offer regardless whether you seek fast moving cities, rural open countryside, or beaches and boat trips.
On the coast you will find the bustling fierce rival city ports of Portsmouth, (fighting ships), and Southampton, (merchant and cruise liners). In Portsmouth you must visit the historic dockyard. Go on board Horatio Nelson's flagship "Victory", check out the "Warrior" and Henry the eighth's "Mary Rose" which is still undergoing restoration after being raised from the seabed. Take an hour's cruise to the Isle of Wight and see Britain's biggest yachting extravaganza at Cowes week. Southampton is the traditional homes of the Cunarder Queen liners. It still is, and fabulous views can be had of the spectacular liners coming and going up Southampton water from Calshot beach in the south of the county.
To the west of Southampton lies the tranquillity of the New Forest. The New Forest was established in the eleventh century by William the first as his personal hunting grounds. Thousands of wild ponies, deer, cattle, donkeys, and at certain times of the year pigs can be seen all over the forest running free. Drive with care at all times! Good months to visit are early May to take in and photograph the foaling season, and September, to see the roundup, known locally as the drift, when all the ponies are rounded up and branded and checked for health problems.
If you go walking in the forest, and you can go just about anywhere and it costs nothing, ensure you wear stout shoes as the Forest is the stronghold of Britain's only poisonous snake, the adder. All the town's stock antidote these days and deaths are unheard of, but an adder bite can still inflict nasty pain. Bites are very rare, adders are small snakes that rush off into the undergrowth, but just in case you should stand on one, good shoes are a must.
Check out Lyndhurst in the centre of the forest, Burley for the witches, I kid you not, Brockenhurst for the ponies, restaurants, hotels, and main line quick rail links, and lastly Lymington for sailing and interesting shops and antiques. To the north east of the county you will find Winchester, Hampshire's third city and the county town. This is a smaller ancient city boasting an impressive Cathedral, burial place of Jane Austen, as well as the monument to King Alfred, he of the burning of the cakes fame, Wessex's own ancient king.
There are ample opportunities for golf, sailing, and riding, and fly fishing too on the three majestic rivers, Itchen, Test and Avon. They can provide fishing on rivers as beautiful as you will find anywhere. If sea fishing is your thing check out Lymington where boat trips are to be had all year round. Hampshire is unquestionably one of England's most beautiful counties and a week would never be enough to take in all it has to offer. Why not stay for two? There is a wide variety of accommodation available from small inexpensive boarding houses to international standard hotels, cottages to riverside marina apartments. You can see thousands of cottages, villas and apartments worldwide on my web site now at www.pebblebeachmedia.co.uk.
Have a good holiday! And take care.
David Carter has written and published hundreds of articles over more years than he cares to remember. His latest work is SPLAM! a 244 page book on property letting and management. He runs three websites, SPLAM! for property, Homemax crammed with ideas for those who work from home, and Pebble Beach Media where you can find thousands of superb holiday cottages, villas and apartments worldwide.
He has recently completed a new novel "White Flags" which will be available in the new year.
Websites:
http://www.splam.co.uk for property letting and management
http://www.splam.co.uk for working from home and small business
http://www.splam.co.uk for worldwide holiday accommodation
The main difference between North and South Lake Tahoe is... Read More
Car rental insurance has to be one of the most... Read More
Hotels are a large component of Pigeon Forge lodging. As... Read More
The southern English county of Hampshire is only two hours... Read More
That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More
If you're planning a visit to Australia, then you'll be... Read More
You are the owner of a timeshare and have decided... Read More
The DeLaunay House, located 185 N. Pioneer in Ashland is... Read More
Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More
Two visits to Budapest. Two apartments, walking distance from downtown.... Read More
Traveling for business or vacationing always has one thing in... Read More
People often ask me why we keep returning year after... Read More
Hilton Head Island's mild climate, slow pace, and beautifully forested... Read More
The Costa del Sol has long been one of the... Read More
Valencia is the third city of Spain, by number of... Read More
This may seem like a very strange title for an... Read More
The first words that come to mind when people think... Read More
What are your chances of getting the vacation of a... Read More
More often than not, a person will base his or... Read More
After France, Spain is Europe's most popular holiday destination, and... Read More
Have you ever done something spontaneous? Are you in love... Read More
There are a few patterns to consider when looking for... Read More
The home away from home but a little bit more... Read More
Turning your dream to Reality?Buying in the CaribbeanBuying a home... Read More
Disneyland became the very definition of a theme park and... Read More
house cleaning company Des Plaines ..Family Vacation in Costa RicaYou will not have any problem... Read More
What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything... Read More
Seasoned travelers often tire of the standard routine of airplane,... Read More
I had always been told that if you wanted to... Read More
Aphrodite's Hot SpotEuropean Road Trip AdventuresCyprus. Yes, it is a... Read More
A trip to the Bahamas does not have to also... Read More
Hotels are a large component of Pigeon Forge lodging. As... Read More
The secret treasure of Davenport's and Kissimmee's townhouses.Though usually Orlando... Read More
Did you know that staying in a vacation cabin rental... Read More
The rental market and Vacation Home sale market is unsustainable.... Read More
Cambodia is a land on the mend. From 1977 through... Read More
Surrounded by the romantic and beautiful Smoky Mountains, a Gatlinburg... Read More
If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: 'leisure... Read More
Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More
Disneyland became the very definition of a theme park and... Read More
Turning your dream to Reality?Buying in the CaribbeanBuying a home... Read More
If you're planning a visit to Australia, then you'll be... Read More
Vancouver will receive a lot of attention as the 2010... Read More
Are you thinking about a great place to go for... Read More
Timeshare presentations are tricky animals. They can either be an... Read More
The bed and breakfast experience is unique. You get the... Read More
Welcome to Washington, DC - The nation's capital is a... Read More
It is a common assumption for most Americans that they... Read More
The main difference between North and South Lake Tahoe is... Read More
Hilton Head Island is a vacation destination for over two... Read More
Vacation Rental |