Hampshire's group mix
Whether it’s to ascend the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth or spend time visiting historic venues and museums, Hampshire has it all. Luke Dodd provides a summary of what to see and do in this eclectic county.
When organising a group trip, GTOs have to take into account several factors including accessibility and whether or not an area has enough attractions to keep groups busy. Hampshire ticks all the right boxes and offers an array of cities, historic houses, picturesque villages and heritage attractions to make a great group outing.
Winchester, Portsmouth and Southampton
When visiting Hampshire, it may be a good idea to consider a visit to the three cities of Winchester, Portsmouth and Southampton during your stay as these attractive destinations have a wide range of features to offer groups.
Beginning with Winchester, in the heart of the county, groups will be struck by the various ties the city has with literature, religion and politics as well as art (it is currently Winchester’s ‘Year of the Sculpture’, which has seen a wide variety of sculptures put on display within the city from a number of artists). For instance, Winchester Cathedral is over 1,000 years old and is the resting place of the famous writer Jane Austen. Within the Cathedral, groups can find two plaques dedicated to Jane, one that interestingly refers to her as only a daughter and a sister with no mention of her writing career and another, which fully acknowledges her literary achievements. The Cathedral boasts many items on display including medieval wall paintings and British sculptor Anthony Gormley’s modern sculpture ‘Sound II’. Groups of 10 or more receive a discount on admission with groups of 12 or more offered special tours and catering packages.
Situated across the road but closed to the public, as it is still a private dwelling, is the house where Jane lived from 1817 up until she died. The house is recognisable by the memorial plaque on its exterior.
Groups may also be interested to learn that Winchester was the capital of England during the 13th century and that the Great Hall was the centre of court and government life during Henry VIII’s rule. Within the Hall itself, groups can view the ‘Round Table’, which is hung on one of the walls and is closely associated with the legend of King Arthur. It was originally thought to be the genuine article, although carbon-dating has proved it is from a later date. Groups can also inspect Queen Eleanor’s Garden at the site, which represents the previous medieval garden here, visited by Kings and Queens of England and includes plantings from the period. Admission is free to both the Great Hall and Queen Eleanor’s Garden; however groups are advised to pre-warn of a visit.
Moving to the south of the county, Portsmouth is an ideal location for a group day out with a number of things to see and do. Situated on an island connected to the mainland through a road system, Portsmouth boasts an iconic structure along its harbour, The Spinnaker Tower. At over 550 feet tall, the Tower offers views over Portsmouth on its three observation decks, the lowest of which has a glass panel to walk upon and look through to the ground below. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount on admission with GTOs gaining free entry.
Staying on the harbour-side, groups could spend an afternoon exploring Gunwharf Quays alone as it houses a large number of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars.
In fact, from this area, groups can travel by Wightlink ferry across to the Isle of Wight on a day excursion or for an overnight stay. Groups are offered a discount on travel.
Meanwhile, situated next to Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers groups the chance to submerge themselves in maritime history. A particular highlight is the chance to view the remains of the Mary Rose, which is currently undergoing a restoration process in the Mary Rose Ship Hall. The vessel is constantly being treated with a waxy solution in a climate-controlled atmosphere, which will strengthen the timber enough for it to be housed in a separate museum in 2011 with other items found from the ship. Another attraction at the Dockyard is ‘HMS Victory’, the oldest commissioned warship in the world, which Lord Nelson sailed on during the Battle of Trafalgar. Inside the ship, groups will find various pieces of furniture and items from the period on display as well as the spot Lord Nelson died during the Battle of Trafalgar, marked by a brass plaque. Groups of 10 or more receive a discount on admission to the Dockyard.
Additionally, Charles Dickens Birthplace can be found in Portsmouth, where the author was born in 1812. The small terraced house has been restored, decorated and furnished in the Regency style appropriate to the times. Within the house, groups can view Dickens memorabilia and an exhibition on his life. Pre-booked groups of 20 or more enjoy a discount on admission.
Groups can actually travel from Portsmouth with the Gosport Ferry, which also operates a range of cruises from May to September, taking in the Hamble and Beaulieu Rivers. Groups are offered a 10% discount on ticket prices.
Staying in the town, there is also the chance to learn about maritime heritage at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, which offers an insight into 100 years of submarine history. Groups can enjoy a guided tour of a World War 2 submarine, ‘HMS Alliance’, and can climb aboard the Royal Navy’s first submarine, the ‘Holland 1’. Groups are offered a discount on admission.
Near to the Royal Naval Submarine Museum, Explosion! the Museum of Naval Firepower details the history of naval warfare. Groups can take part in a tour of the museum, which includes a multi media film set in the original 18th century gunpowder vault. Groups of 10 ore more can enjoy a 10% discount on admission, with GTOs gaining free entry.
Moving west, groups will find the city of Southampton, which boasts the Southampton City Art Gallery with exhibitions and displays dealing with ancient culture and more recent periods. The Gallery is internationally renowned for its impressive art collection, spanning six centuries of European art history. Admission is free.
Located near the city is Eling Tide Mill, which is the only surviving mill in the UK still working and producing wholemeal flour. There has been a mill on the site for over 900 years, with the current building dating back 230 years. Groups can purchase various items on-site including bread made from the Mill’s flour. Pre-booked groups of 10 or more are offered discounted admission.
For groups with an interest in aviation, Southampton offers Solent Sky. This museum, previously known as Southampton Hall of Aviation, features 15 aircraft on display depicting aviation development in the Solent area. It also details the history of 26 aircraft companies from the Solent and the Sandringham flying boat. Pre-booked groups are offered a discount on admission with free coach parking available nearby.
Elsewhere in Hampshire
The rest of Hampshire boasts many sites of interest for groups to visit including historic houses, gardens and museums.
Beginning in the east of the county in Chawton, groups can experience Jane Austen’s House, where the author lived for a large majority of her life, writing such classics as ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Groups will be able to see personal correspondences written by Austen to various confidantes including her sister Fanny. There are also gowns worn in the recent film ‘Becoming Jane’ displayed throughout the building. The 17th century house also boasts the table on which the author did the majority of her writings and revisions. On-site is a garden and bakehouse, which houses Austen’s donkey carriage. Pre-booked groups of 15 or more can enjoy a discount on admission.
Meanwhile, to the west in Basingstoke, groups can visit Milestones, Hampshire’s Living History Museum. The attraction houses a network of full-size streets recreating Victorian times and the 1930s, containing period houses, shops and a working pub. Additionally, there is a vintage tram system running throughout the streets and costumed characters are on-hand throughout the Museum to entertain groups and create a Victorian atmosphere. Groups of 15 or more can enjoy discounts on admission.
Moving to the New Forest, groups will find Beaulieu. This large estate houses three major attractions; the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Gardens and Beaulieu Abbey. Motoring enthusiasts can see over 250 vehicles at the National Motor Museum, detailing the story of the British motoring industry with vehicles from every motoring era. Quirky elements in the Museum include a giant papier maché orange on wheels and vehicles from TV programmes including Del Boy’s Robin Reliant and Mr Bean’s bright green Mini. A new addition this year to the Motor Museum is the Autoglym Supercars exhibition, which showcases a selection of the fastest and most expensive sports cars in the world including the Ferrari Enzo and the Aston Martin Virage. Meanwhile, Palace House and Gardens houses the Secret Army exhibition, which tells the story of wartime Beaulieu when it was used as a training school for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), which trained secret agents to work with the Resistance in occupied Europe. Within the exhibition, groups can watch a film presentation, which tells you how the school operated in total secrecy for four years. Finally, Beaulieu Abbey dates back to the 13th century and groups can watch a film presentation telling its story. Additionally, there is a Monastic Life exhibition, which shows the daily life of its founder monks. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount on admission to the Beaulieu estate.
Nearby, groups can find Beaulieu’s sister attraction, Buckler’s Hard, an 18th century village, which was originally used for shipbuilding. Groups can find out more about the site’s history at The Buckler’s Hard Story exhibition. Discounts apply to 10 or more
Staying in the New Forest, groups can enjoy the Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway. This 200-acre woodland garden features a Rock Garden, Sundial Garden and herbaceous borders. Groups can also ride upon the steam gauge railway through the Gardens and are offered a discount on admission to the Gardens and on ticket prices for the Railway.
Another rail attraction in Hampshire is the Watercress Line (Mid Hants Railway). Running between Alresford and Alton, the Railway offers on-board meal packages for groups of 15 or more, which includes Cream Teas. Groups of 15 or more also receive a discount on travel price.
Also in Alresford, Hinton Ampner is a 12-acre garden, designed by Ralph Dutton, the eighth Lord Sherbourne. Within the garden, groups can also find the house in which Dutton lived. Pre-booked groups of 15 or more receive a discount on admission to the house and garden.
In Alton, groups can visit the Coors Visitor Centre and Brewery and take advantage of guided tours, which can be enjoyed by groups of 15 to 20 with larger groups split and includes a look at the different brewing processes, ending with tastings in the Hospitality Bar. Discounts are available and there is free coach parking onsite.
In fact, the Coors Visitor Centre and Brewery, Milestones, Hampshire’s Living History Museum and the Watercress Line (Mid Hants Railway) offer a special groups package, which offers the chance to enjoy a joint ticket for all three attractions at a discounted price.
Further north, near Newbury, Highclere Castle is the home of the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and was designed in the 1830s by Charles Barry, who was also responsible for building the Houses of Parliament. Groups of 20 or more are offered discounted admission.
To the south, in Mottisfont near Romsey, groups can explore the National Trust property, Mottisfont Abbey and Garden, which offers a walled rose garden to explore. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount on admission.
Our thanks to Hampshire County Council and The Winchester Hotel for their hospitality to Luke Dodd during his visit to Hampshire.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
The Tourism Section, Hampshire County Council
Mottisfont Court, High Street
Winchester, SO23 8ZF
Telephone: +44 (0)1962 846005
Fax: +44 (0)1962 841565
Email: tourism@hants.gov.uk
Web: www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/discover