Brockenhurst | Eastleigh | Hedge End | Hythe | Lymington | Lyndhurst | Romsey | Salisbury | Southampton | Winchester
A fascinating and picturesque New Forest town with local shops. Feeling energetic? - hire a bicycle here and explore some of the New Forest while you keep fit!
In the summer New Park, near Brockenhurst, hosts The New Forest Show - a celebration of traditional country pursuits, crafts, produce and entertainment that brings in thousands of visitors each year.
This old railway town is a great place to find a super little bargain in one of the many independent shops and thebustling market on Thursdays and Saturdays. The usual suspects amongst the high street names are found in and around the popular Swan Centre.
You might even be tempted to move there - in 2006 it was ranked in the top 10 best places to live "Best and Worst" property programme.
As well as the shopping centre there’s now an exciting new leisure complex that includes a 9-screen Vue cinema with all the latest blockbusters, AMF Bowling and some great restaurants in the new Piazza terrace, including Frankie & Benny’s and Nando’s.
People come from all over the South Coast to one of the biggest Marks & Spencer’s in Europe - and even if you run out of choice amongst the vast food & drink selection, don’t worry, as there’s a huge Sainsbury’s next door too!
If you need a rest from all that shopping, there’s a Restaurant and Café at M&S plus a KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut just across the road, where you’ll also find a Halfords, PC World, Curry’s and Homeworld.
Visit this village on the edge of the New Forest and next to the sea. There’s great views of cruise liners going in and out of Southampton and out towards the Solent. You can also travel down the oldest working pier train in the world to the end of the 700 yard long Hythe Pier.
As well as a small shopping area clustered around the High Street, including a Waitrose and several independent and charity shops, there’s also a great little market every Tuesday in the Town Centre.
A little known fact is that Lawrence of Arabia was seconded to work in Hythe during the 1930s and his lodgings at Myrtle Cottage can be seen at Shore Road.
There are some great short walks around Hythe, through to the Marina Village, passing the house of Sir Christopher Cockerell – the inventor of the Hovercraft - on the way. Look out on your right for the wooden bridge that leads to the Marina seafront. The sea-front walk around Marina will give you fine views back to Hythe, over the water to Dockhead and down the Solent to the open sea.
And if that’s not enough for you, catch the Wilts & Dorset bus 112 from Hythe Ferry to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, less than 20 minutes bus ride away.
There’s a definite nautical tilt to this charming Georgian market town on the River Lymington estuary. The town has lots of interesting independent and designer shops, and plenty of places to browse round. On Saturdays there’s an excellent market along the whole High Street. And from the bottom of the High Street a cobblestone road leads down to the picturesque Old Town Quay, still used by local fishing boats.
If you like wildlife, take one of the many interesting walks out over the salt marshes. It’s a bird watcher’s paradise, so bring your binoculars.
Called the capital of the New Forest, it’s a charming town well worth a visit. And there are lots of tea rooms, cafés, pubs and restaurants to discover. At the New Forest Museum you can get a unique insight into the history and heritage of the New Forest.
The church of St. Michael & All Angels is also worth a visit, featuring a Lord Leighton fresco and some fascinating stained-glass windows.
Romsey Abbey, a former Benedictine nunnery and splendid Norman building, is at the heart of this interesting market town on the River Test.
Take a look at nearby King John's House in Church Street, dating from the 13th century. Here you’ll see medieval graffiti cut into the plaster and a rare bone floor - open Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm.
Wander through the historic streets and alleyways of this busy, medieval city. There are characterful shopping streets, regular street markets and perhaps the loveliest and certainly the largest cathedral close in the land. The magnificent cathedral was built all in pure 13th century Early English style. It has the tallest spire in Britain and Europe's oldest working clock.
It's not just about great shopping by day and a busy bar and club scene by night... there's more to this city, deep in maritime history than you'd think. West Quay is the centrepiece of the cityto satisfy the shopaholic in you, but The Mall Marlands, Bargate Centre, East Street and Bedford Place are not to be overlooked too! Walk along the walls and explore the Art Gallery in Commercial Road to fill the day, but don't forget to enjoy well-earned eats and drinks at the trendy Oxford Street. The city parties at Leisure World, the home of superclub Oceana, or around Bedford Place and London Road - Nightstar buses will get you home, running til late on Friday & Saturdays.
Winchester is steeped in history - it was once the capital of England. The cathedral has the longest nave in all the land. Jane Austen is buried here. Shopping in the city centre is relaxed and friendly, with traffic-free streets and a wealth of stylish and interesting shops to discover. To the south of the city centre is St Cross - a medieval almshouse and ancient church. Bluestar 1 also stops on the main road right by St Cross.
Winchester Farmers' Market, held on the second and final Sunday of each month, is officially the largest in the UK and has been voted best in the country. Here you’ll find the finest local produce - from watercress to water buffalo steaks.