Hampshire - 82 Attractions You Must Visit

Alice Holt Forest lies at the northwestern corner of the Weald where the bounding rim of Chalk swings round from a south-north trending outcrop to the west-east alignment of the Hog’s Back anticline. It is now planted mainly with conifers. The forest is now part of the South Downs National Park, which was established on 31 March 2010, and it forms the most northerly gateway to the park.

The Army Flying Museum is located beside the Army Air Corps Centre in Middle Wallop, close to Andover in Hampshire. The museum is about the history of flying in the British Army, from the Balloon sections of the Royal Engineers, through the establishment of the Royal Flying Corps in 1912 and Air Observation Post Squadrons. It contains flight simulators, an outdoor play park with interactive aviation-themed play pieces, and a control tower based on that at Middle Wallop.

Basing House was once the largest private house in England. It was built by William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester in the Tudor period, on the site of an earlier medieval castle. Basing House was once home to the powerful courtier William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester. You can enjoy a picnic in the re-created Jacobean garden, and come along to the many events and activities held throughout the year, including open air theatre, dig pits, re-enactments and a December Christmas market.

Beacon Hill National Nature Reserve is a prominent chalk hill at the western end of the South Downs National Park. Situated halfway between Winchester and Petersfield. It is a Nature Conservation Review site, and an area of 40.1 hectares is a National Nature Reserve. There is a round barrow cemetery dating to the Late Neolithic or Bronze Age on the hill, and this is a Scheduled Monument.

The monastery at Beaulieu was founded in 1204 by King John, and its Abbey Church dedicated to St. Mary in 1246. Most of the Abbey fell into ruins after the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII, but Domus, cloisters, and refectory remain. It was now one of the main pilgrimage and tourist attractions in this area.

This is one of the largest bird parks in the country, located on the Hampshire border with Surrey it is a great place to explore for a fun and informative day out. In addition to a walk around 26 acres of aviaries and beautiful landscaped gardens, visitors can admire over 800 birds and 180 species from around the world and take part in educational feeding sessions throughout the day.

Bolderwood provides an ideal setting for visitors to find out more about the famous herd of Fallow deer, which live in and around the area and explore the historical connection to the Crown.

Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history. The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire, and allows you to discover the flavours of the botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire gin so unique.

Breamore House, home of the Hulse family, is set in the heart of England's Rural Hampshire. Set in its own beautiful parkland amid surrounding farms and fields, the grandeur and magnificence of the house has changed little over the past 400 years. There are a wide variety of paintings as well as tapestries, porcelain, 17th-century needlework and a rare James I carpet.

A beautiful manor set in the rural town of Romsey remains a family home. It stands serenely in a unique place in British history, having had several distinguished owners and many of its important visitors have helped to shape the course of history. The formal gardens and historic landscape of Broadlands are Grade II* listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

Buckler’s Hard was once a hive of shipbuilding activity, providing ships for Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar. It now comprises a beautiful.l museum, where you can discover the fascinating story of the village and the ships it built. Listen in on conversations between villagers of the past in the 18th century New Inn and follow the stories of the 19th and 20th-century residents in an exhibition about village life.

Butser Ancient Farm is a unique experimental archaeology site nestled into the rolling countryside of the South Downs National Park. The site is used as both a tourist attraction and a site for the undertaking of experimental archaeology. Butser features experimental reconstructions of prehistoric, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon buildings. Examples of Neolithic dwellings, Iron Age roundhouses, a Romano-British villa and an early Saxon house are on display.

Butser Hill is a 239.7-hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest south-west of Petersfield in Hampshire. Explore the slopes of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve to discover an interesting array of butterflies and moths including the Duke of Burgundy, Chalkhill Blue and Silver-Spotted Skipper. One of the good trekking destination which gives you a new experience in the middle of nature.

Calshot beach forms part of a mile-long shingle spit that reaches out into the mouth of Southampton Water. From here you get a great view of the ships coming and going from one of the UK’s largest ports. It was home to one of the UK’s biggest outdoor and watersport centers The beach also offers panoramic views of the Solent, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight.

Odiham Castle is located within a tranquil site adjacent to the Basingstoke Canal. The Castle, with its surrounding defensive ditches, was built between 1207 and 1214. The site was probably chosen by King John as a convenient point between his strongholds at Winchester and Windsor. The only visible remains are part of the octagonal keep and outlying earthworks. In September 2007 Hampshire County Council undertook a restoration of the shell keep under guidance from English Heritage.

Chawton House is an Elizabethan manor house that once belonged to Jane Austen's brother, Edward. Visitors can enjoy the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, relax in the peace and tranquillity of the gardens, and find inspiration in the lives and works of its women writers. The Centre, which runs study programmes in association with the nearby University of Southampton, incorporates a significant library, a collection of over 9000 books and related manuscripts.

Chichester Harbour is one of the most popular recreational area. The SSSI is part of Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty[3] and Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation. It is also part of Chichester and Langstone Harbours Ramsar site, Special Protection Area[6] and Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I. Part of it is a Geological Conservation Review site and two areas are Local Nature Reserves.

Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway is a popular attraction near to Southampton, perfect for a day out with the kids. The railway runs from its main station, Eastleigh Parkway, to Monks Brook Halt and then back to Eastleigh Parkway. Trains are usually steam hauled and the journey of 1¼ miles takes about 15-20 minutes. Monks Brook Halt gives an opportunity to visit the lakes, children’s playground or use the adjacent picnic tables.

Eastrop Park is a peaceful haven, a few minutes walk from the town centre and Basing View. The park features a large boating lake, a miniature golf course, a café and walking trails. The River Loddon flows through the park, feeding into a balancing pond. The pond serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including kingfishers.

The Grade II* listed Eling Tide Mill, which has stood at the center of life in Eling for centuries, is one of only a handful of working tide mills left in the UK. The mill's fascinating story and history continue in the Discovery Room where interactive displays include opportunities for visitors of all ages to get hands-on with quern stones and a working model of a tide mill.You can learn about the workings of the newly restored mill and discover how the tide is harnessed to power the centuries-