Camping Near Hampshire

With two national parks, the coast and countryside, camping in the county of Hampshire means you’ll be spoilt for choice of things to do and places to visit. Here are some places you can explore while camping in Hampshire.

Winchester

The heart of Hampshire, Winchester, was once the capital of England, and you’ll see nods to its past all over the city.

• Winchester Cathedral is unmissable with its gothic architecture watching over the city. A guided tour of the Cathedral is a brilliant way to learn about the building’s past. For an aerial look at the city, you can’t get much better than the views from the top of the tower; book one of the guided tours in advance to make the most of your visit.
• Winchesters winding side streets are jam-packed with brilliant independent and mainstream shops. From bookstores to vintage clothing shops, there are plenty of treasures to be unearthed.
• A 20-minute walk along the river from the city centre will bring you to a group of Grade I listed buildings dating from 1132, including a Church and Brethren Hall, which are open for visitors. The architecture, flower gardens and atmosphere at The Hospital of St Cross are well worth the visit. You’ll find the gift shop open all year round.
• Winchester City Museum is a good way to learn about the area's past and see Roman artefacts. Here you can learn about the last days of Jane Austen, who passed away in Winchester.

The New Forest

The open woodland, coastal habitats, and heathland of the New Forest National Park are always worth exploring. Those camping in Hampshire can enjoy the following New Forest attractions.

• Paulton’s Park is a brilliant attraction for families, with Peppa Pig World being a favourite.
• The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is a great visit for automotive fans.
• Bucklers Hard is a fascinating visit, offering an insight into life in an 18th-century shipbuilding village. This is also a good attraction for kids.
• Lymington, Brockenhurst, Ringwood and New Milton are some popular towns and villages to explore.
• Exbury Gardens, nestled in the New Forest, are some of the finest gardens in Hampshire. 

The South Downs

Hampshire encompasses around half of the South Downs National Park, made up of beautifully green rolling pastures, ancient woodland, and open spaces. Like with the New Forest, you can set off and explore the South Downs on foot, but there are some brilliant attractions to enjoy within it’s boundaries too.

Portsmouth

The port city of Portsmouth in Hampshire is well known for it’s marine heritage. Here are a few top attractions for those interested in visiting Portsmouth.

• Spinnaker Tower is an unmissable sight, towering above Portsmouth Harbour. At 560 feet high, the observation tower offers unrivalled views of the coast.
• Built to protect Portsmouth Harbour, Hurst Castle can be reached by ferry, which only adds to the fun of the visit.
• The Mary Rose Museum, located within the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, has plenty of fascinating maritime history to unearth as well as 19,000 objects which were recovered from the ship.