Campsites in Hampshire

A county on the border of coast and picturesque countryside, Hampshire is jam-packed with great sight-seeing attractions. It cradles both the incredible New Forest and half the South Downs national park’s rolling hills. Some of the most beautiful historic buildings in the region are full of intriguing stories and awe-inspiring architecture. Impressive Winchester Cathedral is a must-visit, to hear the voices of angelic choirs float towards the heavens. 

Don’t Miss

• New Forest National Park
• Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard
• Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Cityscapes and boundless countryside

First on your list of bustling maritime cities by the southern coast should be Southampton, where you can admire the ocean liners, enjoy the variety of shops and visit the interesting SeaCity Museum or the historical Tudor House and Garden.

Portsmouth brings that naval connection even closer with a chance to view huge ships at the Dockyard, such as the jawdropping remains of the Tudor Mary Rose. Strut abroad the HMS Victory and sing a sea shanty, the docks are wall-to-wall with incredible vessels.

A trip to the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson and the view from the enormous Spinnaker Tower are also must-sees. This elegant observation tower is over 170 metres high and on a good day you can see for up to 23 miles in all directions. Ferry cruises are another great way to see the coastal sights of Portsmouth at a leisurely pace.

The City of Winchester is home to the famous Winchester Cathedral and Castle, and the attractive Queen Eleanor's medieval garden. Alongside the city, browse the pretty seaside towns and villages along the unspoilt coastline of Hampshire offering water sports, swimming, and great walking and cycling routes too. Lepe, Southsea and Hayling Island are popular spots.

The peaceful Test Valley is where you can enjoy rolling countryside and quaint historic villages as well as parks, country pubs and local museums. The Meon Valley in the east of the county is tranquil and offers wonderful views of the surrounding meadows and chalk streams.

The South Downs are also perfect walking territory and literary fans will enjoy a trip to Jane Austen's House at Chawton to see the world as she knew it. See the charming Jane Austen’s House Museum, as the writer moved several times in her life, but several times returned to Hampshire.  

The New Forest is also well worth a visit where you can spot wild horses and ponies wandering through the miles of ancient woodland and take on the 140 miles of track available for exploring.  Stop off at the pretty Exbury Gardens to see flower displays unlike any other.

In Romsey you can find the paradise that is the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, where you can wander among over 42,000 plants and flowers. Spot pieces by top artists in the gardens or dig into some much-deserved cake in the tea rooms.

Breathtaking rides

To the west of Hampshire is the fabulous New Forest National Park, top of the agenda for for walking, cycling and wild life watching holidays.

The county also has over 465 miles of bridleways and 750 miles of off road cycle routes - this is a great place to get active! There are 13 long distance walking routes that pass through the county and a huge range of shorter scenic walks.

Hampshire is lucky to be a coastal county and boasts some wonderful beaches including the lovely sandy beaches of Hayling Island. For beachside attractions, Southsea Beach offers all the typical fun of the British Seaside. There are all kinds of water sports to be enjoyed up and down the coast, from sailing and kayaking to windsurfing and kitesurfing.

For the adventurous, there’s no excuse not to get your adrenaline pumping with boating, rock climbing, quad biking and hang gliding.

Beaulieu and other top attractions

The village of Beaulieu in the New Forest is an unmissable day trip surrounded by all the cherry picked best sights in Hampshire.  Beaulieu Abbey was desecrated by Henry VIII’s destruction of religious buildings, but stands as an eerily beautiful ruin, just as calmly as when it was built, 800 years ago.

The National Motor Museum is a fascinating stop for those who like cars, and has the best displays and all the thrills. The Victorian Flower Garden is a chance to catch up on some nature after all that manmade speed and machinery.

Milestones in Basingstoke bills itself as being where history comes to life, and delivers on just that. It’s an immersive interactive museum built around the millennium to show younger ones the world of Hampshire life in days gone by.

Basingstoke also offers plenty to see and do with great restaurants and two major shopping precincts. Don’t forget to book in a show at its fantastic theatre, the Avril, which is the largest performing arts organisation in Hampshire.

To the north of Hampshire the Whitchurch Silk Mill is still in operation, weaving silk using machinery from the 19th Century.

Staunton Farm Gardens and Country Park in Havant is a paradise of tropical glasshouses, gardens and cute farm animals that the kids will love, all set in 100 acres of beautiful parkland.

Wildlife fans will also appreciate Marwell Wildlife Park in Winchester. You can see zebras, penguins and gibbons here as well as enjoy interactive displays ideal for learning.

For glimpses of the underwater world, visit the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth, where you’ll see fascinating creatures including sharks, sting rays and otters.

Funland on Hayling Island has something for kids of all ages with gentle rides for the little ones and thrill rides such as the Klondike Looping Roller Coaster for those really brave souls.

Paultons Park in Romsey, home to Peppa Pig World and over 60 rides and attractions is the ideal choice for really small adventurers.