Hampshire Visitor Travel Guide Page

We have compiled a travel and holiday information guide to help with your holiday stay in Hampshire.

About Hampshire

Lying on the south coast of England, Hampshire is a county with great nautical history and a wealth of coastal resorts. The cities of Portsmouth and Southampton are wonderful seaside places to visit with their amazing maritime history. Some of the finest ships to ever witness battle lay to rest in Portsmouth including the Mary Rose, which was the pride of King Henry VIII's fleet, and HMS Victory. The county town of Hampshire is the little known town of Winchester. The county bore some of Britain's finest literary giants such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Interestingly, it is also the birthplace of Isambard Kingdom Brunel who is the man responsible for many industrial constructions such as dockyards and bridges. National parks at South Downs and the New Forest provide a great insight into the county's rural and nature life. The motor museum at Beaulieu also has some of the greatest cars to ever grace the earth on show. The county is also adjacent to the Isle of Wight and transport links between the two destinations is easy with a ferry link. Ferries from Portsmouth also link to the main lands of France and Spain.

Attractions & Heritage Sites within Hampshire

1. Marwell Wildlife Park - Winchester, SO21 1JH Marwell Wildlife has one hundred and forty acres of lush countryside with over two hundred and fifty different species of wildlife including monkeys, reptiles and giraffes and offers families lovely day outs. 2. Blue Reef Aquarium - Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 3PB Stunning collection of marine species on display with a walk through underwater tunnel. Throughout the day are regular talks and feeding times. 3. INTECH Science Centre and Planetarium - Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1HZ An interactive science and technology centre with lots of hands on actitivies to keep the kids entertained. 4. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ A main dockyard for the Royal Navy for over eight hundred years, ships from Portsmouth Dockyard were used in defending against the Spanish Armada. A Royal Naval presence is still in Portsmouth to this day. 5. Hurst Castle - Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0TP At the narrow entrance to the Solent is this impressive fortress built by Henry VIII as part of Englands coastal defences. 6. Netley Abbey - Netley, Hampshire The Cistercian Monks built Netley Abbey in 1239 and was inhabited until 1536. The ruins today are the most extensive Cistercian Abbey in the south of England. See Full List of Attractions in Hampshire See Full List of History and Heritage Sites in Hampshire

Towns and Villages in Hampshire

Hampshire has some lovely towns and villages to explore, below is a list with a short summary and link to more information about it and pictures. Aldershot - Military Museum tells the story of the town and the military for the last 150 years... More... Andover - the settlement was originally founded by the Vikings... More... Basingstoke - did not realize substantial population growth until the 1950s... More... Brockenhurst - is the gateway to the expansive New Forest National Park... More... Farnborough - has all but become synonymous with the history of aviation research and development... More... Fleet - Pond has been a fixture in the Hampshire countryside for centuries... More... Gosport - brings forth images of summer family holidays... More... Hayling Island - is famous, as much for its world-class oysters as its shingle beaches... More... Lymington - boasts wonderful water sports with also the spectacular New Forest National Park on her doorstep... More... Lyndhurst - is located in the very heart of the New Forest National Park... More... Petersfield - is a picturesque market town located within the South Downs National Park... More... Portsmouth - is steeped in a proud maritime and military heritage... More... Ringwood - has remained faithful to its market town heritage... More... Rowland's Castle - is as well-known for its undulating landscape... More... Southampton - has several museums scattered about the city... More... Southsea - rests on the shores of the Portsea Peninsula... More... Waterlooville - in actuality is part of the area known as the South Hampshire conurbation... More... Winchester - is internationally famous for its cathedral... More...

Useful Contact Information for Hampshire

Aldershot Visitor Information Centre Princes Gardens Community Building, High Street, Aldershot, GU11 1BJ Tel No: 01252 320968 Andover Tourist Information Centre Church Close, Andover, SP10 1DP Tel No: 01264 324320 Fareham Tourist Information Centre Westbury Manor Museum, West Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 0JJ Tel No: 01329 221342 Fordingbridge Tourist Information Centre (open during the summer only) Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AB Tel No: 01425 654 560 Gosport Tourist Information Centre Bus Station Complex, South Street, Gosport, PO12 1EP Tel No: 02392 522 944 Hayling Island Tourist Information Centre Central Beachlands, Southfront, Hayling Island, PO11 0AG Tel No: 02392 467 111 Lymington Tourist Information Centre St Barbe Museum & Visitor Centre, New Street, Lymington, SO41 9BH Tel No: 01590 689 000 Lyndhurst Visitor Information Centre Main Car Park, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY Tel No: 023 8028 2269 Petersfield Tourist Information Centre County Library, The Square, Petersfield, GU32 3HH Tel No: 01730 268 829 Portsmouth Tourist Information Centre (One) The Hard, Portsmouth, PO1 3QJ Tel No: 023 9282 6722 Portsmouth Tourist Information Centre (Two) Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3PB Tel No: 023 9282 6722 Ringwood Visitor Information Centre The Furlong, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 1AZ Tel No: 01425 470896 Romsey Tourist Information Centre Church Street, Romsey, SO51 8DF Tel No: 01794 512987 Southampton Tourist Information Centre Civic Centre Road, Southampton, SO14 7FJ Tel No: 023 8083 3333 Winchester Tourist Information Centre Guildhall, High Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9GH Tel No: 01962 840500

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