Hampshire is known for many things: Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, cricket, and a multitude of other famed facts. It’s also, fortunately, a very pretty county to be a part of, with lots of things to do during the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. If you’ve never stayed in an area before, then it can be a little frustrating not knowing what’s out there, and how time can be spent. Luckily enough, Hampshire has a heap of things for someone to discover. Here are just a few for all kinds of individuals and groups:
Jane Austen’s Home & Burial Ground
As mentioned before, Hampshire is the birthplace of author Jane Austen. Famous for writing classic novels such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and many more, she’s a name that is known all around the globe. She is buried in her hometown, and many people from all over the globe flock to see her resting place and pay their respects to a legendary figure. If you make your way to Winchester Cathedral, you’ll be able to do so, too.
Her home is also a place you can visit if you’re interested in looking around where she used to spend her days writing and conjuring up classics. It has been made into a small museum so that fans and visitors can absorb what once was.
Fort Nelson
If you’re an avid historian, or whether you’re interested in cool events of times gone by, then Fort Nelson is an excellent place for you to visit should you ever be passing by. Fort Nelson is one of the five defensive forts built at Portsdown Hill way back in the 1860s. While many parts will have been modernised and refurbished, it still has the air of a 19th century outpost. It’s free to enter, so you won’t have to worry about stumping up any cash.
Marwell Zoo
Are you an animal lover? You will love this place. Even if you’re not quite the avid fan of wildlife, you’ll get some joy out of seeing some of the creatures this planet has to offer. Giraffes, penguins, tigers – you name it, Marwell Zoo probably has it. Located in Winchester, it’s a destination that’s pretty easy to get to, so you (and your family) can have a great time with very few bumps in the road. You will be able to learn about different animals and feed them if you feel you’re up for that kind of interaction. You’ll also have the opportunity to adopt an animal or two.
Winchester Cathedral
We mentioned this marvellous building a little earlier when talking about Jane Austen’s resting place, but the place itself is a thing of beauty, as the architecture aficionados will be able to attest. If you’re ever in the area, it’s something that you’ll probably need to feast your eyes on – you will be mightily impressed. It’s one of the biggest cathedrals in Europe and has the greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Again, if you’re interested in historical events or pieces of construction, then you might want to check out the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It’s part of Her Majesty’s Naval Base in Portsmouth and contains many famous ships and buildings. If you are interested in seeing the flagship of Horatio Nelson or the world’s first armour-plated warship, then this is the place to go. You can also see the remains of the Mary Rose, a ship that sank nearly five-hundred years ago.
Image credit Antony McCallum www.wyrdlight.com
