I love to explore the UK, which is lucky because right now travelling abroad is out of the question! There are some fantastic places to visit all around the country. I live in Kent, which is known as the Garden of England, but today I am going to tell you about a neighbouring county; Hampshire.
These top five places to visit in Hampshire make for a great family outing or even a date, which is perfect if you are signed up to a Hampshire dating site. I have picked these five in particular because they are all places I would love to go to myself!
Bombay Sapphire Distillery
My friends and family know that I enjoy the odd glass of gin and tonic from time to time, in fact, it was my love of a g&t which inspired me to upcycle and old wall unit into a bar last year! So when I discovered that Hampshire is the home of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery I knew I had to include it in this list.
Visit the historic paper mill, Laverstoke Mill, in the Hampshire countryside where the secrets of the world-famous gin are made. Why not join in one of their Distillery tours and discover the history of Bombay Sapphire and Laverstoke Mill with a host to guide you around the Dakin still house, glasshouses and grounds. You can also learn the sustainable measures and ecology of the conservation area the company calls their home.
Uncover the rare production processes that go into crafting every bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin during a cocktail making class where you can learn the tricks of the bar trade with gin experts as you make and enjoy two Bombay Sapphire cocktails. I am sure any dating agency Hampshire would recommend this as a perfect date idea.
Highclere Castle
If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, like me, then you will instantly recognise the impressive building that is Highclere Castle. Records of the estate date back to 749 when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester. Later on, the palace underwent many transformations until 1842 when Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament, transformed Highclere House into the present day Highclere Castle, the estate of the Carnarvon family.
Highclere Castle has a long and rich history. Just like Downton Abbey, during the First World War, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers run by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. During the Second World War, Highclere Castle was home to children evacuated from London.
Take a tour and explore the main staterooms so familiar from the Downton Abbey series and movie, as well as elegant bedrooms, the cellars and the old staff quarters which houses the Egyptian Exhibition, celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Don’t forget to check out the gardens. Records show the gardens were first developed here during the 13th century and today you can discover the original Monks’ Garden, the White Border, the Wood of Goodwill, the Rose Arbour, the Wild Flower Meadow and, nearer the house, the Healing Herb Garden.
Winchester Cathedral
Whenever I visit somewhere new I always love to explore its historical buildings, particularly Cathedrals. Winchester Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of England in Winchester, Hampshire, England and is one of the biggest cathedrals in Europe. It is the seat of the Bishop of Winchester and centre of the Diocese of Winchester. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Standing at the heart of historic Winchester, once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, on the site of an early Christian church Winchester Cathedral has been a place of worship ever since. An extraordinary fifteen centuries of English history lie behind the massive Cathedral you see today.
Many visitors today come to see the Cathedral because of its association with Jane Austen, whose funeral was held in the Cathedral after her death in Winchester on 18 July 1817. She was buried in the north aisle with an inscription on her tombstone making no mention of her novels, but a brass tablet paid for from the proceeds of her first biography was added later and describes her as “known to many by her writings”.
Jane Austen’s House
Speaking of Jane Austin, another great place to visit in Hampshire is the Jane Austen’s House Museum, a small independent museum in the village of Chawton near Alton in Hampshire. The museum occupies the 17th-century house (informally known as Chawton Cottage) in which novelist Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life.
The Grade I listed building houses the collections including eight music books owned by Jane Austen with pieces transcribed in her own hand along with furniture, a Muzio Clementi pianoforte (dated 1813) and a Hepplewhite bureau-bookcase containing several of Austin’s works.
The museum also owns the only three pieces of jewellery known to have been owned by Austen, a turquoise beaded bracelet, a topaz cross, and a turquoise and a gold ring which was sold at auction in 2012 to the American singer Kelly Clarkson. The British government placed an export ban on the ring owing to its historic importance and with the help of £100,000 from an anonymous donor the ring was placed on display at the museum in February 2014.
There are (usually) regular events held at the museum to further appreciation of Jane Austen and to encourage new writers. There are also recitals using the Clementi pianoforte and performances based on her works.
New Forest Wildlife Park
If you love British wildlife then look no further than The New Forest Wildlife Park which can be found on the edge of The New Forest close to the towns of Ashurst and Lyndhurst. It specialises in native and past-native wildlife of Britain and otters and owls from around the globe.
The Wildlife Park is known as the UK’s leading institution in the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild otters, along with the rehabilitation of other wildlife such as owls, deer and foxes in similar situations. Several conservation projects, including breeding programmes for endangered native species such as Scottish wildcats, water voles and harvest mice take place there too.
Throughout the year the New Forest Wildlife Park have Themed and Seasonal Nature Quiz Trails, Animal Encounters, Badge making to name a few and take the opportunity to meet a Keeper and learn more about the particular animals in the park during feeding times.
Have you spent time in Hampshire? What were your favourite places to visit?
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