Hampshire holiday parks
Hampshire has a great mix, with the incredible seafaring and naval heritage of Southampton and Portsmouth, and swathes of unspoilt countryside, the New Forest being the pick of this. Designated a royal hunting domain by William the Conqueror in 1079, it remains a protected area and its famous ponies still roam free. Holidaymakers can also roam free on foot or on bikes.
In the heart of the New Forest is Beaulieu where the remains of the monastery, Palace House and the National Motor Museum make for a fascinating day out. Also well worth a visit is nearby Buckler’s Hard, where three of Nelson’s ships, which fought at the Battle of Trafalgar, were built.
The beautiful city of Winchester packs a lot of history into a small area. The cathedral is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the country and contains the grave of Jane Austen, whose house in Chawton is also an attraction.
There is plenty of family entertainment in Portsmouth and the Historic Dockyard is home to a museum and Nelson’s HMS Victory, the HMS Warrior, and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s pride and joy, which sank in front of him just outside the harbour. Just outside Southampton, Paultons Park theme park is great for a family day out.
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