New Forest - Open heathland and peaceful woods with deer and wild ponies, and an excellent place for walks and picnics. One of the best ways to see the area is on horseback. The Vistors’ Centre at Lyndhurst is informative and interesting describing the history and wildlife of the forest.

Salisbury - Just under twenty minutes drive is the medieval city of Salisbury, with its spectacular cathedral. This impressive and elegant building is a masterpiece of early English Gothic architecture. Other attractions in the Cathedral Close are Mompesson House (a National Trust property with delightful garden) and Salisbury Museum (a good guide to local history with some impressive exhibits). The city is also home to the nearest theatre (Salisbury Playhouse), and cinema. Salisbury offers a wide selection of shops, pubs and restaurants to cater for most tastes. Market days are on Tuesday and Saturday.

Old Sarum - Iron-Age fort and the site of the original Cathedrals.

Wilton - The ancient capital of England. Wilton House, home of the Earl of Pembroke, is a fascinating and beautiful property, and only 20 minutes away. The house and grounds have been used as film sets for ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and ‘Mrs Brown’. There are beautiful walks beside the River Nadder and a large adventure playground. Whilst in Wilton visit the famous Carpet Factory, a shopping village including factory outlets and Italianate church.

Ringwood - A thriving local market town (market day on Wednesday) and with the local leisure centre. 

Downland Villages - Damerham, Martin and Whitsbury are within easy reach with their charming churches, interesting houses and walks in the region.  Damerham and Whitsbury both have village pubs serving good food.  Martin Down (nature reserve) is a picturesque area of downland.

Breamore - Breamore House overlooking the Avon valley was completed in 1583, and is home to a fine collection of 17th and 18th Century paintings, period furniture and tapestries. The area around the house has been used for film sets including the adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s ‘The Woodlanders’ and for ‘The Children of the New Forest’. The Countryside Museum enables visitors of all ages to have a fascinating insight into the history of village life in the area. Children will particularly like the Great British Maze.  There is also a Saxon Church in the village.

Cranborne - Has several excellent restaurants with Cranborne gardens and garden centre, and is the seat of the Salisbury family.

Bournemouth - Miles of sandy beaches, Bournemouth International Centre, shops, pier and gardens.   About 30 minutes by car.

Christchurch - Ancient harbour, priory church, miles of sandy and shingle beaches. Hengistbury Head, overlooking Christchurch harbour and the south coast, is an area of natural beauty and a nature reserve.

Poole - Tower Park (activity centre with Splash down (water slides), bowling, cinema, bingo and boat trips to Brownsea Island (National Trust).

Portsmouth - Naval Dockyard since 1496 and the home of HMS Victory, the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior.

Heale Gardens - Historic house where King Charles II took refuge in 1651. Eighty acres of riverside gardens and beautiful surrounding landscapes. There is also a garden centre and shop.

Middle-Wallop - Museum of Army Flying.