COUNTRY HOUSES IN HAMPSHIRE & BERKSHIRE

Hampshire Place, Hampshire

• 50 minutes from London Heathrow Airport 
• Sleeps up to 24 people in 11 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms (7 ensuite)
• Private pub belonging to the house in the private gardens
• 39 acres of gardens to explore, tennis courts, croquet lawn and private lake with rowing boat
• Check availability here

Farleigh Wallop, Hampshire

• 1 hour from London 
• Sleeps 21 guests in 11 elegant suites and bedrooms with 10 bathrooms
• Tennis court, heated outdoor swimming pool, croquet lawn, cricket pitch with pavilion and lake
• Michelin Star chefs to cook for you and your family and friends
• 4,000 acre private estate to enjoy 
• Check availability here

Benham Park, Berkshire

• 50 minutes drive to London Heathrow Airport
• Sleeps up to 20 guests in 10 elegantly appointed, ensuite bedrooms
• Grand Ballroom accommodating up to 140 guests
• Intimate Banqueting Room seating 26 guests for private dining
• Versatile rooftop dining area with expansive views
• Library, whisky room and temperature-controlled wine cellar
• Private cinema, games room with pool table and a fully equipped gymnasium
• Helicopter landing by prior arrangement
• Check availability here

Kirby House, Berkshire

• 90 minutes by car to Central London and 50 by train to London Paddington
• Accommodation for up to 20 people in 10 double bedrooms
• Large and small dining rooms, drawing room, sitting room, two studies and billiards room
• Indoor swimming pool and tennis court
• Oak framed barn providing large event space with its own professional kitchen and double bedroom with ensuite
• Check availability here

Newbottle Manor, Berkshire

• 75 minutes drive to London Heathrow Airport
• Accommodation for up to 18 adults in 9 double bedrooms with 6 bathrooms
• Courtyard Annex sleeps two people in one King Size bedroom with shower room
• Dining hall with table seating from 8-22 guests.  With round tables the space will seat up to 36 people
• Very comfortable reception rooms – library, drawing room and study
• Check availability here

Hampshire is one of England’s most beautiful counties and has so much to offer any visitor with its historic cities, a wonderful coastline and stunning countryside.  Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed is in Hampshire as well as Jane Austen’s house at Chawton where she wrote many of her novels. There is also a thriving music and arts culture with summer festivals. 

The county of Berkshire is the proud home of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world.  It was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and has since been home to 40 monarchs.  Royal Ascot, one the the world’s most famous horse racing festivals, is in Berkshire along with Henley Royal Regatta which is a rowing event held on the River Thames every year.

Winchester

Some of Winchester’s first settlers arrived there more than 2,000 years ago.  A small medieval cathedral city that back in AD871 when Alfred was crowned King of Wessex, became the Anglo Saxon capital.  Today the city has abundant charm, ancient streets and is the gastronomic capital of Hampshire with lots of characterful cafes and restaurants, including several Michelin starred ones.  Visitors can find King Arthur’s Round Table at the Great Hall and also visit the magnificent Winchester Cathedral. 

Winchester is also home to the famous private school, Winchester College, which was founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham and overlooks the South Downs National Park and the River Itchen.  His family lived at Hampshire Place which is only 30 minutes drive away.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth sits on the waterfront and is another historic city in Hampshire, home to the Royal Navy.  Visitors to Portsmouth will find plenty of ancient charm and culture with lots of shopping and entertainment thrown in.  Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is definitely worth a visit as you can actually go aboard historic ships such as The Mary Rose, Horatio Nelson’s HMS Victory and HMS Warrior.  Spinnaker Tower is a stunning 170 metre icon of the South Coast and is Britain’s best viewing tower.

Reading

If you enjoy history, riverside walks, pubs and music, Reading which is situated in the heart of the Thames Valley, can offer all of these.  In one of the town’s most historic areas, you can explore the ruins of Reading Abbey which was founded by King Henry I nearly 900 years ago.  Reading Museum has a full-scale Victorian replica of the Bayeux Tapestry and local historical exhibits.  For families, a visit to the quirky Museum of English Rural Life (“MERL”) can be a popular outing.

Coast

Hampshire’s Solent coastline has plenty of beaches for walking along, swimming and having picnics.  Hayling Island near Chichester is child-friendly and has five miles of seaside shore along the south of the island which is divided into West Beachlands and Beachlands.  An ideal spot for a swim and a paddle as well as being a great destination for watersport enthusiasts.   

Chichester Harbour, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is perfect for walkers and birdwatchers and has many lovely villages and beaches.  The Hamble Valley has woodland, salt marsh and river views with many birds to spot along the way.  Visits to Hurst Castle, behind Keyhaven River and Portchester Castle are well worth a visit if you’re interested in military history.  

Countryside

Hampshire and Berkshire have many country parks and nature reserves which means the beauty of the area has been preserved for all who wish to enjoy it.  The coastal country park, Lepe, is in the New Forest National Park with its mile long beach, wild flower meadows and historic D-Day remains.  Calshot Spit, known for its brightly coloured huts and the Calshott Activities Centre which is one of the biggest outdoor centres in the south of England is perfect for those who enjoy sailing, rock climbing, indoor skiing and velodrome cycling.  Great for young families, picnics, woodland walks and kite flying is the Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley.

Family Days Out

Marwell Zoo which is just outside Winchester has 140 acres of wildlife park to enjoy while seeing hundreds of exotic and endangered animals.  Lots of hands on activities as well as an adventure playground, formal gardens and gift shop.  In Andover there is the Hawk Conservancy Trust which has 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadows along with 150 birds of prey.  For the younger family members, in the New Forest National Park you can visit Peppa Pig at Paultons Theme Park.

In Windsor, there is Legoland Windsor Resort which is a large theme park ideal for children from 2-12 years old.  There are over 55 intereactive rides, live shows and an indoor Lego-themed adventure golf course for children to enjoy.  If you have very young children, Wellington Country Park is an award-winning destination set in beautiful countryside yet very easy to get to.

The Beaulieu National Motor Museum

A motor enthusiasts paradise and a world famous collection of 280 vehicles.  Learn about motoring in Britain from the very beginning up to the modern day.  Here you will find classic cars, historic sporting cars, modern rally cars, F1 racing cars and a 1930’s country garage.

Military Museums

Winchester is home to no less than five military museums which are all very well worth a visit and they can all be visited in a day which makes for a good military day out.  Windsor is home to The Berkshire Yeomanry Museum which has a wide-ranging collection of artefacts illustrating the history of the Berkshire Yeomanry since 1794.

Stately Homes and Gardens

There are many stunning gardens in Hampshire including Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway which is a perfect day out for all the family.  Explore the gardens on the steam train and enjoy the wonderful scent of the Rothschilds’ azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias in the spring and later in the year, the beautiful views of the Beaulieu River.  Sir Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey span over 180 acres and is home to one of the most important modern plant collections in the world.  If you’re a rose lover, a visit to Mottisfont Abbey in June is a must, to see the world famous collection of old-fashioned roses flowering.  There are others to visit such as Queen Eleanor’s Garden at the Great Hall in Winchester, The Vyne near Basingstoke and the historic West Green House Gardens near Hartley Witney. 

Basildon Park, a grand Berkshire house which has been rescued from almost certain demolition, has been lovingly restored.  An 18th Century Palladian style mansion, the parkland, formal gardens and house can be visited and enjoyed.