Art Holiday Travel and Vacation information for Hampshire

"Hampshire, Hants, or Southampton, maritime county (including the Isle of Wight), in South of England; bounded north by Berks, east by Surrey and Sussex, south by the English Channel, and west by Wilts and Dorset; greatest length (exclusive of the Isle of Wight), north to south, 46 miles; greatest breadth, east to west, 46 miles; 1,037,764 acres, population, 593,470. (The figures of acres and population include the Isle of Wight.) Hampshire is undulating, finely wooded, and fruitful. Its coast line is very inregular, the principal indentation being Southampton Water. From Surrey and Sussex, north-east to Wilts and Berks, two ranges of chalk hills, known as the North and South Downs, traverse the county. In the west is the New Forest, and in the south-east are the Forests of Bere and Waltham Chase. The Avon, Exe, Test, Itching, and Hamble are the chief rivers. The county is noted for its agriculture, the wheat of Hampshire being especially prized. Upon the Downs are reared large flocks of the variety of sheep known as "Hampshire Downs," or "short wools." Pig breeding, and the curing of bacon, have long been large and lucrative branches of the county's industry. The mineral resources are meagre; and, except in large coast towns, such as Portsmouth and Gosport, the manufactures also are unimportant. The shipping, however, is very extensive. Hampshire (with the Isle of Wight) comprises 38 hundreds, 12 liberties, 349 parishes, with parts of 3 others..."

Plenty of interest and attractions for all ages; the New Forest is particularly attractive, but less visited good countryside elsewhere too Two great NT properties here which have been closed for restoration reopen this year - Hinton Ampner, and The Vine at Sherborne St John. They join a fine roster of great houses, with Beaulieu standing out for its wide range of attractions carefully organised to suit different tastes - and all ages.

Broadlands near Romsey, Breamore and Stratfield Saye are also very rewarding. Some magnificent gardens include waterside Exbury (irresistible in late spring), the wonderful old-fashioned rose garden at Mottisfont Abbey, the Hillier Gardens at Ampfield, Spinners at Boldre and (new to the Guide) Houghton Lodge nr Stockbridge. The Sandham Memorial Chapel at Burghclere is thought by some to be the greatest masterpiece of 20th-c British art.Hampshire is particularly strong in museums dealing with military and naval history - among Britain's most interesting for specialists, but with surprisingly broad general appeal too, for children as well as adults; many are concentrated around Portsmouth/Southsea, which could make an unusual but satisfying spot for a family break.More specifically appealing to families, Marwell Zoo at Colden Common is one of Britain's most enjoyable. Other places almost guaranteed to delight children are Nature Quest nr Ashurst, the farm park nr Andover, the lovely Watercress Railway Line from Alresford, the Sea Life Centre in Portsmouth, the working Iron Age farm at Chalton, the Hollycombe Steam Collection nr Liphook, and the Hawk Conservancy at Weyhill.The New Forest countryside has great charm. Only parts of it are in fact wooded; the rest is unspoilt rolling heathland. Walkers can head off in virtually any direction without worrying about trespassing. Once away from the roads, it does give a great feeling of untrammeled space. Children like it: there are free-running ponies and deer, and plenty of scope for generally running riot without coming to grief. Its coast has sheltered yachting harbours, the pleasant waterside town of Lymington with warm Georgian buildings (the rest of Hampshire's coastline is largely built up), and the interesting Bucklers Hard.There's good scenery elsewhere, in a broad belt of gentle countryside stretching from Andover, Stockbridge and Romsey along the Test Valley in the W, through Winchester and Alresford, to Alton and Petersfield in the E. This is a quietly charming mix of rolling blowy chalk downland, a patchwork of hedged fields and clumps of steep beechwood, the rich valleys of the clear chalk streams, and attractive small villages often of brick and flint.Winchester has a charming old quarter around its cathedral, and plenty of opportunities for strolls nearby; a possibility for a quiet city break.