7 Reasons to own a holiday home in Hampshire

Amazing Attractions

There are so many fun and exciting attractions in Hampshire that you’ll never run out of things to see and do. Whether you enjoy feeding farm animals, reliving history in museums, or seeking thrills in amusement parks, Hampshire has it all.

Perhaps Hampshire's most famous family-friendly attraction, Paulton’s Theme Park, has been voted the number one theme park in the UK by travellers for 2019, so it’s definitely a must if you’re in the area, especially if your little ones are a fan of Peppa Pig! We’ve even got some fantastic exclusive attraction discounts for our owners (and holiday guests) so that’s even more reason to visit the local attractions!

Other attractions we recommend visiting: Spinnaker Tower, Staunton Country Park, Longdown Activity Farm, Southampton City Art Gallery, Marwell Zoo, and The Mary Rose Museum.

Fantastic Shopping

If you’re in need of some retail therapy and love to “shop ‘til you drop”, Hampshire is home to a number of fantastic shopping centres. Offering an enjoyable experience whatever the weather, there’s big brands, high street names, and plenty of excellent places to eat. Gunwharf Quays is the UK’s only waterfront outlet shopping centre and is located in Portsmouth. Here you can shop over 90 famous brands, as well as enjoying a bite to eat in one of over 30 different restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Other shopping centres we recommend: Cascades Shopping Centre (in the heart of Portsmouth) and Westquay Shopping Centre (in Southampton).

The Beaches

Hampshire has plenty of beaches that are perfect for a family stroll, refreshing dip in the briny or communal picnic. According to thebeachguide.co.uk, Hampshire’s number one beach is Eastney Beach located at the eastern end, approximately 2 miles long - although we should probably warn you, this is a nudist beach (though that probably means less packing).

History and Culture

If exploring history and culture is your cup of tea, Hampshire has plenty to discover. There are ample museums to visit around Hampshire, including the famous Mary Rose Museum (Portsmouth), the Royal Navy Submarine Museum (Gosport), and SeaCity (Southampton) to name just a few. And of course, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the UK’s premier destination for naval history – a real must-see for anyone in the area.

Southsea Castle (Henry VIII’s castle) is a magnificent place for a stroll through fascinating Tudor history. Here you can enjoy beautiful views of both the city and the sea. Learn all about the castle and how it has developed over the generations, and finish off with a refreshing drink in the café.

You can also visit Jane Austen’s House Museum – the Hampshire cottage where she lived and wrote her many famous novels, including the timeless “Pride and Prejudice” and "Mansfield Park".

Events and Festivals

Throughout the year, Hampshire holds a large variety of events and festivals that are sure to please the whole family. We’ve listed just a few below for some inspiration...

Southampton International Boat Show: this is an annual event held at Mayflower Park, Southampton. Here you can discover the latest, affordable and flexible ways to enjoy boating and watersports with a whole range of opportunities to get out on the water at the show. (Dates for 2020 - 11-20 September).

Cowes Week: Cowes Week is one of the oldest and most respected regattas in the world (it is also the largest in the world – impressive, right?) This event takes place each August and lasts for eight days. The schedule combines competitive racing and fantastic fun for the 8,000 competitors and 100,000 spectators.

Hampshire Food Festival: This month-long festival is now in its nineteenth year and is highly popular with both residents and those that visit the county. Over 60 events take place at pubs, farms, hotels and restaurants across Hampshire – there is something for all budgets and tastes.

Farnborough International Airshow: this week-long event (usually held in July) demonstrates civilian and military aircraft to potential customers and investors, and announces new developments. During the show there are both static and flying displays of various aircrafts, which is always a fun and exciting show for all.

Close to Other Lovely Places

As much as we’re sure you’ll love Hampshire, it’s also close to lots of other lovely places, should you wish to venture out somewhere for the day. The heart of Dorset is just over an hour away in the car, with Bournemouth and Poole being even closer. To the East of Hampshire you’ll find Chichester and the beautiful South Downs National Park. And across The Solent, you’ll find The Isle of Wight, known for its beaches and seafront promenades. The world-famous Needles Landmark attraction can also be seen across The Solent, just across from The Isle of Wight.

The New Forest

Under an hour’s drive from Solent Breezes Holiday Park

Discover woodlands, wildlife, and coastline at this beautiful part of the county, where cows and horses roam the streets freely. Fall in love with its idyllic glades and cliff top walks and discover its vast tracts of unspoilt woodland, heathland and river valleys. You can choose to stroll around the quaint traditional villages, or you can hire bikes (or even horses) if you prefer. Top the day off with some of the delicious food that the New Forest eateries and pubs have to offer.