Whilst being the largest county in the South East of England, Hampshire has an eclectic mix of landscapes from the bustling port cities of Portsmouth and Southampton to the sprawling New Forest National Park. The birthplace of famous figures such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, Hampshire provides a wealth of diverse sights, activities and environments from rolling rural areas to lively cities within its county limits. Read more
A modern stylish Four Star Gold self-contained annex in the Hampshire village of Godshill within the New Forest National Park. Close to Fordingbridge, Wayside is an ideal place for enjoying all the forest has to offer including fabulous walking, cycling and horse riding. Family swimming passes for the pools at the nearby Sandy Balls leisure centre are provided. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
A pretty thatched self catering holiday cottage on the edge of the New Forest, providing very comfortable holiday accommodation and an ideal base for touring the area being just a few miles from world famous Stonehenge, Bournemouth and beaches. Just half a mile from Fordingbridge with a good choice of amenities close by. Just 25 mins to Peppa Pig World and 25 mins from beaches. Dogs welcome (up to 3 in Little Thatch) - secure back garden/yard area leading off from the kitchen door. Late offers sometimes available - see owners website for details. www.burgatefarmhouse.co.uk....
A picturesque thatched holiday retreat on the edge of the New Forest National Park providing a superb self-catering base for exploring the forest, and also the many attractions of the area including Winchester, the South Coast and Stonehenge. The county town of Fordingbridge with a good choice of shops and eateries is just half a mile away. It is just 25 mins from Peppa Pig World and 25 mins from beaches.Dogs are welcome (up to 2 in Wishing Well). Late offers sometimes available - see owners website for details - www.burgatefarmhouse.co.uk....
If you are looking to explore the New Forest and the South Coast, Hucklesbrook Farm is a good choice and offers welcoming self-catering accommodation set around a courtyard on the owner's family farm. Ideally located, the forest tracks and trails where ponies roam freely are on the doorstep. Perfect for touring, relaxing and outdoor adventures. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Three 4 Star holiday homes in a courtyard setting on the owner's family farm within the New Forest. Ideally located, the self-catering cottages are a short drive from the sandy beaches of the South Coast offering guests the perfect combination of outdoor adventures and relaxing days by the sea. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Hucklesbrook Farm sits within the New Forest and is home to three Four Star holiday homes. Set around a courtyard the cottages are a short drive from the South Coast. Spend your days exploring the tracks and trails of the forest, browsing the shops or relaxing by the sea. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
The Garden Room at Meadow Rise is a bright and modern one-room studio just two miles from the edge of the New Forest and three miles from the coast - a cheerful affordable holiday home to rent for couples wanting to explore the forest and Hampshire/Dorset coastline.
Couples and families love Grebe Cottage, which offers 4-star accommodation in 230 acres of private farmland in the north of the New Forest National Park. There is space for four people to sleep in two bedrooms, and the holiday cottage can be booked on its own or reserved with one of several other lovely cottages on Burgate Manor Farm to accommodate larger groups of family and friends. Fordingbridge's medieval arched bridge and The George pub are only a mile away, while popular New Forest attractions like Beaulieu and Moors Valley Country Park are nearby. There are miles of beautiful footpaths, cycling trails and bridleways to help you explore the New Forest and enjoy being close to nature in this incredible ancient landscape. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Beautifully presented throughout, Park Farm Cottages offers 5 Star luxury self-catering amongst the scenic beauty of the Hampshire countryside. Sitting on the edge of the South Downs National Park, guests can enjoy peace and tranquility with the River Itchen opposite adding to the charm. Park Farm Cottages is close to the city of Winchester and a popular choice with large groups sleeping up to ten guests who want to holiday or celebrate together. Tourist board rating: 5 Star Gold
Perfect for couples and small families, West Cottage sleeps three guests and offers 5 Star self-catering in a beautifully peaceful part of Hampshire on the outskirts of the South Downs National Park. Close to Winchester, this fabulous architect-designed eco-build holiday home sits opposite the River Itchen and offers all the right ingredients for a relaxing break. Tourist board rating: 5 Star Gold
An award winning single storey 5 Star holiday home situated in Hampshire on the edge of the South Downs National Park, near Winchester. East Cottage enjoys a wonderful tranquil position opposite the River Itchen and is ideal for a relaxing break. Tourist board rating: 5 Star Gold
The Kitchen is fully equipped with a dining area. The sitting room has an armchair, large comfortable sofa with a log burning stove. A spacious hallway with Laundry area and downstairs loo. Large bedroom with superking size zip link bed. Landing with small double sofa bed for a child. Shower room with underfloor heating. Travel cot available.
There's nothing rustic about this well-appointed Shepherd Hut. Set in a field with gorgeous views, the holiday cottage is two modern timber and corrugated metal huts sleeping four people in two bedrooms with electricity, running water and a proper bathroom. Shepherd Hut is on the family-run Michelmersh Farm, where the owners raise dairy cows, sheep and keep horses and chickens. It's an idyllic location only a few miles from Romsey and within easy reach of the New Forest and South Downs National Parks, the Hampshire coast, Stonehenge, Winchester and Salisbury. Shepherd Hut is romantic for couples and fun for families.
Enjoy a farm holiday in this lovely holiday cottage on Michlemersh Manor Farm near Romsey. Foxglove Cottage sleeps four people in two double bedrooms and is welcoming and comfortable for couples or families. The farm has roots going back to 1205. The current owners raise dairy cows and sheep, and it's a great way to introduce children to the delights of country life. There are excellent footpaths and cycling routes nearby. Days out can include exploring the New Forest National Park, shopping and sightseeing in Salisbury and Winchester, visiting Stonehenge, or sunning yourself on Hampshire beaches like Milford-on-Sea.
Enjoy a self-catering farm holiday within reach of the New Forest National Park, Southampton, Winchester and Salisbury at Bluebells on family-run Michelmersh Manor Farm. There are some beautiful footpaths and cycle routes nearby, as well as golf, fishing and horse riding.
This elegant wing of a listed property dates back to medieval times, although the standard of self catering accommodation is firmly in the 21st-Century! It is part of a working farm and enjoys rural views of fields and farmland from the house and a private garden. Located close to Romsey in Hampshire, the Manor is ideal for families who can easily explore Salisbury, Winchester and the New Forest National Park as well as the south coast and sites such as Stonehenge.
With its quiet location within walking distance of the centre of Brockenhurst, Hazel House is perfect for large or extended families or groups of friends who want a comfortable holiday house from which to explore the beautiful New Forest National Park. There is little passing traffic (safe for free-roaming ponies, donkeys and deer) and the house has space for up to eight guests (plus an infant) in four bedrooms. Favourite New Forest attractions like Beaulieu National Motor Museum are nearby, whilst the beach and Solent are only a few miles away.
Perfectly located, this stylish barn is a popular 'bolt-hole' for couples and enjoys a peaceful position just a short stroll from the very heart of Burley and its shops and pubs. Being based right in the heart of the New Forest National Park allows you to explore the many attractions of the area, get active in the great outdoors or simply relax and unwind. This delightful holiday cottage is perfect for a weekend away or longer holiday.
With miles of wonderful footpaths and bridleways virtually on the doorstep and a central location in Upham village that is within walking distance of a favourite country pub, Rays Farm Cottage is understandably popular with guests. The 17th Century self-catering cottage comfortably sleeps up to four guests in two bedrooms, with lovely gardens and views over the village green. Winchester is only 15 minutes away, and sights like Portsmouth, the South Down's Way, Paultons Park and Marwell Wildlife Park are also nearby.
You and your family will have all the space you need at Lions Lodge. The three-bedroom holiday home sleeps seven people, but the vast backyard makes this place stand out. There is a large lawn, seating and a patio with a hot tub so you can soak your tired legs and sunburned shoulders after a day cycling through the New Forest, climbing at Go Ape, or swimming and surfing at Bournemouth. There are two pubs within walking distance of this welcoming self-catering rental in this quiet village near Ringwood and Poole.
Popular towns in and around The New Forest:
BeaulieuBoldreBrockenhurstBurleyEast BoldreFordingbridgeGosportHytheLockerleyLymingtonLyndhurstMinsteadNew MiltonNomanslandPetersfieldPooleRomseySouthamptonWinchesterWinsorSearch within South and South East England
The county has played an important role throughout England's history. The city of Winchester was once the capital of the country and the two maritime ports of Portsmouth and Southampton (which are also the major cities in the area) acted as a departure point for settlers seeking a new life to America and during the Second World War as a Royal Navy harbour. Furthermore, Hampshire has a strong literary significance and both Charles Dickens and Jane Austen were born in the county. You can visit the birthplace of Dickens in Portsmouth which features a museum dedicated to the author, as well as the house where Jane Austen penned her most important novels in the village of Chawton.
Hampshire's diversity is evident with its untouched countryside and rural nature combined with the industrial modernity of its cities. The county provides over 750 miles of cycling paths both rural and urban, in addition to outdoor activity centres particularly at Calshot along the Hampshire coastline. There are also no less than 8 country parks and nature reserves sprawled across its area including the Queen Elizabeth Country Park with over 20 miles of endearing and beautiful trails for walkers and cyclists, as well as the acclaimed Farley Mount which sits in central Hampshire and offers stunning views across the county with both downland and woodland.
The county is not just a rural retreat and it also benefits from an enthralling coastline, with the chalky cliffs of the South Downs which pass through Hampshire being a particular highlight. Lepe Country Park features miles of sandy beaches, great views to the Isle of Wright and several D-Day memorials and remains. This impressive coastline allows for water based activities such as sailing, waterboarding and kayaking. These can also be undertaken at the New Forest National Park (which the county shares with Wiltshire and Dorset) that boasts 2 lakes, over 220 square miles of natural beauty and diverse wildlife in addition to campsites, fishing on a private island and plenty of pretty thatched cottages providing self-catering accommodation.
There is a strong military heritage in these parts as well. The countryside offers numerous castles and forts from the Middle Ages including the renowned Portchester Castle which stands as one of the best examples in the whole of Northern Europe of medieval architecture with Roman influences. The historic dockyard in Portsmouth is listed as a Top 10 Heritage Attraction in England while it also hosts the Mary Rose Museum.
Hampshire offers activities and events for all the family and is an incredibly diverse and welcoming county in England. Its cities are vibrant with shopping, nightlife and entertainment, whilst its countryside is peaceful, beautiful and enchanting for those who visit. A truly varied county with a solid historical significance intertwined with a modern appeal.
