Whats nice in the South? (1 Viewer)

[barryd]

Hi Folks

We are off to the Isle of Wight for Christmas (yes I know its not quite the Algarve, we havent get time to go there now!). We are going across on the 23 dec but will have 2 days to kill before we go over.

Can anyone make some recommendations of somewhere nice to visit within an hour of the Southampton Ferry? I know this is a bit of a broad request and we wont hold it against you if it turns out to be rubbish. We like nice little seaside towns or pretty villages, that kind of thing. will probably stay on a CL so any recommendations of good CL's appreciated or indeed good wild camping spots.

Cheers
BD

 

[Spacerunner]

Take a drive through the New Forest if you haven't been before. Some pretty villages and traditional pubs. Look for the Hobbler on the Brockenhurst-New Milton road B3055. Also The Sir John Barleycorn off the Cadnam roundabout.

 

[Molls-Phot]

Portsmouth has HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Spinnaker Tower. My other half is a tour guide on Victory!

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[barryd]

Thanks chaps. We thought we might do the New Forest when we leave the Isle of Wight so thanks for the tips. Portsmouth could be a possibility as there is stuff to see, I quite fancy the tower and the Victory.

 

[savantuk]

I think that the most beautiful place around the Solent is Bucklers Hard. A 16th century boatbulding village, mostly unchanged. The Master Builder Hotel makes a great place to lunch.

Beaulieu has the National motor museum, and is about 5 mins walk from the hard.

Have a nice time.

 

[Spacerunner]

Can really recommend the Motor Museum, and if you are a crinklie like me you'll be sure to find an identical model to your first car!

Also Southampton is a shopaholics paradise, West Quay not to be missed.

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[barryd]

Thanks again. The Motor museum and HMS Victory look fantastic. Just emailed the Motor Museum to see if I can blag an overnight stop there!

Cheers
BD

 

[Euromobil]

If you go to Beaulieu and Bucklers Hard take a look at Hythe about 5miles, its got a pier with the oldest pier train (ex WW1) and a great view of all the liners going in and out.
The marina village is worth a look as is Calshot castle, the New Forest at present is saturated rain-rain-rain but still possible to walk keeping to the gravel tracks.

 

[hailman]

All good suggestions above, I have an idea there used to be a site around Eastney way somewhere if you are thinking of Portsmouth.

Where are you staying on the Island?

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[haganap]

Go for the Victory but be prepared, it aint cheap. well worth it though IMO:thumb:

 

[barryd]

Thanks for all the replies. Isnt Hythe where they filmed Howards Way? On the Isle of Wight we are staying at the Waverley Campsite at East Cowes. Got a deal for 7 nights camping plus the ferry (7.6 meter van) for £136 which seemed good value. We dont normally do campsites and prefer to CL or wild but as its going to be over Christmas I though we would see how the other half live with Hookup, water and waste on pitch! sounds positively luxurious. Now your going to tell me its crap!

We will be over on the Island from the 23rd to the 30th and are setting off around the 20th so though we would do Portsmouth and the Victory and Tower then the Isle of wight for 7 days and then maybe go to the Motor Museum, Bucklers Hard and now Hythe. After that we will head off towards Devon and who knows where.

Sounds like there is a fair few things to see in the area

Cheers
BD

 

[Euromobil]

If you do Hythe, sometimes vans wild camp down 'shore rd' there's a gravel layby facing the sea, you could probably spend the night without being disturbed. Hythe's other claims to fame are a) Hovercraft invented there by Sir Christopher Cockerell b) T E Lawrence (of Arabia) based there working on high speed launches for the raf at the Scott Paine boatyard. I think Howards Way was filmed at Hamble.
more info google hythe-hants
ps market day Tues

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[woodyold]

Whilst on your way west towards devon call at poole see the largest natural harbour in the world and its quay ,then on to wareham with its river and quay etc ,then morton near wool where theres lawrence of arabias grave and the church with diamond cut stained windows , weymouth ,bridport where they filmed harbour lights with nick berry and lyme regis where french leiutenents woman was filmed etc etc loads to see , have a great journey .:thumb:

 

[barryd]

Great ideas everyone thanks very much.

BD