Local Towns
Visit some of our local towns during your stay with us here in Hampshire and discover historic market towns and attractions.
Alresford
(14 miles)
Visit this delightful Georgian town with a broad market street, and excellent artisan shops. Take a walk beside the River Arle to see the eel house and watercress beds, after which the Watercress Line was named. Enjoy the regular farmers markets throughout the year and the annual Watercress Festival.
Alton
(20 miles)
Explore this thriving market town on the Rivery Wey offering a mix of historic buildings and modern shops, and there areregular farmers markets and the Curtis Museum of local history. Discover Jane Austin’s House Museum at Chawton, and Gilbert White’s House and the Oates Collection at Selborne, nearby.
Bishop’s Waltham
(8 miles)
Given by the King to the Bishop of Winchester in 904 AD, the independent shops and restaurants in Bishops’s Waltham are housed in 17th and 18th century buildings. Explore this charming market town, and the remains of Bishop’s Waltham Palace and museum.
Chichester
(22 miles)
Discover this historic cathedral city and including the Roman walls. Chichester is also a busy shopping hub and host to the Chichester Festival Theatre and Novium Museum. Visit the Roman Palace at Fishbourne, the Weald and Downland Living Museum, Goodwood, and Chichester Harbour nearby.
Emsworth
(11 miles)
Sailors, artists, naturalists and walkers love Emsworth which is on the shore of Chichester Harbour. Learn about the history of oyster fishing and boat building here and explore this attractive town with exceptional harbour views and regular farmers markets, or book a sailing trip on the ‘Terror’ (see Watersports).
Midhurst
(21 miles)
This market town is in the heart of the South Downs National Park and is dominated by the presence of the Cowdray Estate with the distinctive yellow paintwork of the estate properties throughout the town. Visit the ruins of the Tudor manor in its Capability Brown park as well as the golf course, polo fields and farm shop.
Petersfield
(10 miles)
Take a dip in the heated outdoor lido and visit the regular farmers markets held throughout the year as well as the Flora Twort Gallery, Physic Garden and Petersfield Museum located at this historic coaching town on the London to Portsmouth route.
Petworth
(27 miles)
Explore Petworth House and Park, managed by the National Trust, and visit the charming town with numerous antiques shops and cobbled streets to explore. Visit Petworth Park which is open daily and dogs are welcome.
Portsmouth
(11 miles)
Learn about Portsmouth’s 800+ years of naval history at the Historic Dockyard and D-Day Museum. Visit Tudor Southsea Castle, view the port from the top of the Spinnaker Tower, entertain the children at the Clarence Pier or enjoy some retail therapy at Gunwharf Quays.
Salisbury
(42 miles)
Salisbury Cathedral rises above this thriving city which is home to the Magna Carta. Visit nearby Longleat, Stourhead Gardens, and Stonehenge World Heritage site on Salisbury Plain.
Southampton
(19 miles)
Explore the city’s connections with the sea at the SeaCity Museum, walk the old city walls, visit Tudor House or enjoy some retail therapy at West Quay Shopping Centre. The Southampton Boat Show is held each September and day trips to Cowes on the Isle of Wight leave from the ferry port.
Stockbridge
(24 miles)
Independent shops, cafes and restaurants line the main street of the town which is located on the River Test, famous for trout fishing. Visit Longstock Water Gardens (see Arts, History and Culture page).
Wickham
(8 miles)
Discover this historic market town with its independent shops, restaurants and tearooms occupying the medieval and Georgian properties lining the second largest medieval square in England. Home to the horse fair which has run annually on 20th May since 1271. Visit Chesapeake Mill, a old watermill, and peruse the antiques rooms before enjoying a cuppa with cake in the cafe. The village is one end of the Meon Valley Trail (see Sports & Activities page), and a music festival is held each August.
Winchester
(14 miles)
Visit the many historic attractions including The Great Hall, Cathedral, Winchester College, City Mill and Military Museums, in England’s former capital and seat of Alfred the Great.
Enjoy regular farmers markets and a vibrant programme of events including The Christmas Market, held the month before Christmas in Cathedral Close.
Take a trip out to the free Hat Fair in July for a fantastic family friendly street performance festival which takes place across the city.
Hampshire Farmers Markets
(8 – 40 miles)
Visit the weekly markets which are held regularly on Saturdays or Sundays at seven locations throughout the county; in Alton, Emsworth, Petersfield, Ringwood, Romsey, Southsea and Winchester.
Showcasing the best Hampshire produce from producers who are the stallholders, any produce that is grown, reared or raised must have spent at least 50% of its time with the producer. Find out where the markets are being held each weekend.