Hampshire Highlights - Winchester, Portsmouth & The New Forest

Itinerary

Day 1

Join your comfortable coach at your convenient local pick up point this morning, and head for the beautiful city of Winchester, where you will have ample free time to explore the medieval cathedral and maybe grab some food or souvenirs. Rejoin your coach and continue to Southampton and your comfortable, value hotel, set right in the heart of the city. Check in and relax before dinner and maybe a drink at the bar.

Day 2

Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning to set you up for the day. Feel free to explore Southampton or otherwise don't miss out on our fabulous INCLUDED excursion to Portsmouth. We include a visit to the Spinnaker Tower, which stands at 170 metres tall. Enjoy breathtaking views over Portsmouth Harbour, the city, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight from three viewing decks. Our included Harbour Tour also offers unrivalled views of the Historic and Modern Navy. With a full live commentary, enjoy a fun and fact filled tour of the Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard. You can also visit Old Portsmouth, with its cobbled streets, picturesque Camber Dock, traditional pubs and tucked-away tearooms, or Gunwharf Quays, with 90 outlet stores and 30 restaurants, bars and cafés. Return to your hotel for dinner and time to relax, or head out to enjoy the nightlife in Southampton.

Day 3

This may be the final day of your weekend away, but the fun is far from over! We leave Southampton and head for the New Forest to experience the beautiful scenery, wildlife and nature of this stunning area with its wild ponies roaming freely across the pretty landscape. We include a visit to the picture perfect Buckler's Hard set on the Beaulieu River where your included river cruise gives you an even better view of this serene area.

It is then finally time to reboard your comfortable coach for a relaxing journey home.

Winchester

INCLUDED Visitor DestinationAn unspoilt cathedral city on the edge of the rolling South Downs, Winchester is England's ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great. Today, Winchester combines the best of city life with the freshness of the surrounding countryside. Home of good food and the country's largest farmers' market, birthplace of the modern game of cricket, resting place of author Jane Austen and inspiration to the many craft-makers and artists who live here, Winchester is truly a destination for all seasons. Popular for its bustling shopping streets, its floral summer season and quirky open air events, it is most well-known for its eleventh century Cathedral and for its Great Hall, which for over 700 years has housed the mysterious King Athur's Round Table. The many bars, traditional pubs and restaurants make eating out a pleasure, and there are pretty riverside walks past tranquil water meadows.

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Portsmouth, Spinnaker Tower & Harbour Cruise

Portsmouth in Hampshire is located on Portsea Island and has a population of approximately 238,000. To the east is Langstone Harbour and to the west is Portsmouth Harbour a busy sheltered harbour which is the home of the Royal Navy as well as cross channel ferries, fishing boats and many yachts and pleasure craft. On the southern tip of Portsea Island is Southsea with sea views across The Solent to the Isle of Wight. Portsmouth is proud of it's naval history and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to a world class selection of historic ships including Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, the world's first iron hulled armoured ship and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's Tudor warship. The city is packed with shops, restaurants and bars, leaving you with plenty of options if you want to explore on your own but our INCLUDED habourside cruise is guaranteed to give you some of the best views - as will your visit to the fabulous Spinnaker Tower.

Buckler's Hard & Beaulieu River Cruise

INCLUDED Visitor DestinationEnjoy a visit to the beauty spot of Buckler’s Hard, where history and stunning scenery come together for an unforgettable experience in the New Forest countryside. Once a bustling shipbuilding village where ships for Nelson’s Navy were built, this charming village is now a peaceful haven. Relax with a cuppa and a slice of cake, take a ramble beside the Beaulieu River, or delve into the village’s history in the Maritime Museum where you will discover the fascinating story of the village and the ships it built. Listen in on conversations between villagers of the past in the 18th century New Inn and follow the stories of the 19th and 20th century residents in an exhibition about village life. Take a trip back in time at the Shipwright’s Cottage, or explore the Chapel of St Mary’s, with its smugglers’ cellar beside the altar.

Also enjoy an included tranquil cruise down the Beaulieu River – an unspoilt haven which is rich in history and wildlife. A place of serenity and beauty… step aboard for a peaceful 30 minute boat trip along one of the few privately owned rivers in the world.

Tour includes

• 2 nights hotel with English breakfast & evening meals
• Visit to Winchester
• Day in Portsmouth including a Harbour Cruise and a visit to the Spinnaker Tower
• Excursion into the New Forest with entry to Buckler's Hard and a river cruise
• Direct Coach Travel
• Net Zero Carbon Offset Certificate

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Accommodation

Ibis Southampton Centre Southampton

The modern Ibis Southampton is ideally positioned for sampling Southampton's bountiful nightlife and shopping scene. The hotel features a bright, airy on-site café area for around-the-clock refreshments. Unwind with a coffee, sip a chilled sauvignon or bond over a beer or two. The stylish on-site bar is the perfect place to kick back and relax. The bedrooms are comfortable yet simply furnished and include TV, tea/coffee making facilities and WiFi throughout. There is a lift. The hotel is ideally located for Southampton city centre and West Quay Shopping Centre is around a 5 minute walk away.

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Hotel Location
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