Places of Interest - Southern England

On this page are Places of Interest in Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Sussex.

WILTSHIRE / Stourhead / The Westbury White Horse

Stourhead Stourton Warminster Wiltshire BA12 6QD Telephone: 01747 841152	The world-famous 18th-century landscape garden and Palladian mansion, with enchanting temples, monuments and rare planting around a tranquil lake. The house is filled with Georgian treasures, Chippendale furniture and fine paintings. In the grounds are woodland and chalk downland walks with spectacular views from the top of King Alfred's Tower, one of the finest follies in Britain. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Nick Meers).
Bishopstrow House & Ragdale Spa, Warminster	....in the quintessential ivy-clad Georgian mansion combining the intimacy of a grand country hotel retreat with all the benefits of modern facilities and luxury of the Spa.	.... in a Grade II listed building, built in 1817.
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The Bath Arms.Warminster	.... in the peaceful and unspoilt village of Horningsham, this wonderful, historic hotel lies at the heart of the Marquess of Bath’s magnificent Longleat Estate.	...where the accommodation consists of 15 en suite bedrooms, each one individually designed and comfortable.
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The Full Moon, Frome	.. in this enchanting 17th Century inn, in the hamlet of Rudge, about 3 miles from Warminster.	....beautiful self-catering cottages and an indoor pool have been added.
The Westbury White Horse Bratton Downs Westbury Wiltshire	The Westbury White Horse is the oldest of the Wiltshire horses. It is also one of the best situated, being high on a very steep slope and overlooking a panoramic view. It is on Westbury Hill, on the edge of the Bratton Downs, immediately below the Iron Age hillfort called Bratton Camp, north-east of Westbury and near to the villages of Bratton and Edington.	Ordnance Survey grid reference: ST 898 516

WILTSHIRE / Stonehenge / Mompesson House

Stonehenge Wiltshire SP4 7DE (2 miles west of Amesbury on junction of A303 and A344/A360)	Mystery surrounds this 5,000 year old World Heritage Site. Each monument was a circular structure, aligned with the rising sun at the solstice. Erected between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, the stones were carried hundreds of miles over land and sea, while antlers and bones were used to dig the pits that hold the stones. An awe-inspiring family visit, Stonehenge is a powerful reminder of the once-great Stone and Bronze Ages. English Heritage (Photo: Elevated view (c) Nick White)
Holiday Inn Salisbury-Stonehenge	.... located on the A303 in the heart of Wiltshire, an ideal location for Stonehenge and Salisbury.	....easily accessible when travelling from the M3 motorway, London, the Midlands and the West Country.
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2 Park Lane, Salisbury	.... an elegant, warm and welcoming family-run guest house within walking distance of Salisbury city centre.	.....beautifully refurbished, where unique modern styling meets Victorian elegance.
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Mercure White Hart Salisbury	.....in a striking 17th century building with an elegant classical facade, lying just opposite Salisbury Cathedral.	....offering an award-winning restaurant and traditional hospitality.
Mompesson House The Close Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 2EL Tel: 01722 420980	An elegant and spacious 18th-century house in the Cathedral Close in Salisbury city centre. Fine Georgian features include intricate plasterwork and a monumental oak staircase. There are charming walled gardens to explore. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Nick Meers).

DORSET / Corfe Castle / Swanage Pier

Corfe Castle The Square Corfe Castle Wareham Dorset BH20 5EZ Tel: 01929 481294	This 1,000-year-old castle, an iconic survivor of the English Civil War, risies above the Isle of Purbeck and is one of the most evocative ruined castles in England, with over 1,000 years of turbulent history. The Swanage Railway operates a steam train service to Corfe. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Matthew Antrobus).
Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge, Swanage	.. in this unique family-run hotel combining the atmosphere of a traditional country house with all the amenities of a modern hotel.	..... nestling in extensive gardens in the centre of Swanage.
Swanage Pier Swanage Pier Trust	The Unique 100+ year old Victorian Pier lies in the Southern area of Swanage Bay. Swanage Pier is owned and operated by The Swanage Pier Trust, a registered charity and has two paid members with all other tasks being performed by Volunteers. There are Ladies and Gents toilets on the Pier each with a hot shower. The Pier is normally open during the summer months (April - October) from 8am (7am Bank Hols). Closed approx. 1 hour before dusk.	Tel: 01929 423636

DORSET / Kingston Lacy / Wimborne Minster

Kingston Lacy Wimborne Minster Dorset BH21 4EA Tel: 01202 883402	An elegant country mansion with important collections, set in attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland, encased in stone by Charles Barry - architect of the Houses of Parliament. An outstanding collection of Old Master paintings includes works by Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Rupert Truman).
King's Head Hotel,Wimbourne Minster	....in an imposing 200 year old building, standing directly on the Town Square.	.. ...in the heart of the beautiful town of Wimborne Minster.
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Les Bouviers Restaurant With Rooms	.. in the only 5-star accommodation available in Poole, set in 5.5 acres of green belt land with 6 stunning rooms overlooking the grounds.	....with a national reputation for food and 2 AA Rosettes.
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Bridge House Hotel	.... on the banks of the River Stour in the picturesque Dorset countryside.	.....just 5 miles from Bournemouth and Poole town centres.
Wimborne Minster High Street Wimborne Dorset BH21 1HT	For over 1300 years the Minster Church of St.Cuthburga has been a centre for pilgrimage, prayer and worship. Founded in AD 705, the twin towers dominate the town. The oldest part of the Minster is the massive 12th century central tower, which was once crowned with a spire which fell during a Service in 1600. The rest of the building dates from the 13th and 14th centuries. Visitors to the Minster will be interested to see Wimborne Minster's Chained Library founded in 1686 by the Reverend William Stone, as a free library for the people of Wimborne, one of the first free libraries.	Tel: 01202 884753

HAMPSHIRE / Medieval Merchant's House / Southampton Maritime Museum

Medieval Merchant's House 58 French St Southampton Hampshire SO1 0AT	John Fortin, a merchant who traded with Bordeaux, started building this house c. 1290. A residence and place of business, it stood on one of the busiest streets in medieval Southampton. Now restored to its mid-14th-century appearance by the removal of later additions, it is equipped with replica period furnishings. It stands near the medieval town wall, built to defend Southampton against seaborne attacks. Netley Abbey, Calshot Castle and Hurst Castle are all within reasonable travelling distance. English Heritage (Photo: Interior view (c) English Heritage Photo Library).
Dolphin Hotel	.... in the heart of the old town, a short walk from the shops and the Isle of Wight and Hythe ferry.	....offering an eclectic mix of old and new.
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Novotel Southampton	.. ..in a 3-star hotel ideally located right in the heart of the city, just a few minutes walk from West Quay shopping and the city centre.	..... with modern, spacious and comfortable bedrooms, with broadband and Wi-Fi connections.
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De Vere Grand Harbour	.. ..within the shadows of Southampton's medieval walls in a contemporary hotel boasting a unique glass design and an excellent location directly on the waterfront.	...offering a theatre-style restaurant and a superb leisure club.
Southampton Maritime Museum, Wool House, Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2AR	Situated on Town Quay Road, the Wool House was built as a warehouse for the medieval wool trade, now a museum telling the story of the Port of Southampton and the great liners that sailed from here to all parts of the world. The Titanic Voices Exhibition tells the real story of the Titanic through original artefacts and the voices of local people whose lives were affected by the tragedy.	Tel: 023 8022 3941

HAMPSHIRE / Sandham Memorial Chapel

Sandham Memorial Chapel Harts Lane Burghclere nr Newbury Hampshire RG20 9JT Tel: 01635 278394	A unique 1920s decorated chapel containing Stanley Spencer's visionary paintings, inspired by his experience of the First World War. He was influenced by Giotto's Arena Chapel in Padua, and took 5 years to complete the murals. There are gardens and anorchard in front of the chapel, and views over to Watership Down. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Roy Fox).
The Vineyard at Stockcross	.. at The Vineyard at Stockcross, a must for food and wine lovers. Let award-winning chef John Campbell wow you with his unique recipes designed to truly tantalise the palette.	.. ... and chill out in the spa and enjoy a wide variety of beauty treatments, including Choco, Vino and Truffle therapies.
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Ramada Elcot Park Newbury	.... in this elegant country house that rests in the Kennet Valley.	.. set in 16 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland, only minutes from the M4.

HAMPSHIRE / Mottisfont Abbey Garden, House and Estate / Winchester Cathedral

Mottisfont Abbey Garden, House and Estate Mottisfont nr Romsey Hampshire SO51 0LP Tel: 01794 340757	Historic house set in atmospheric gardens and grounds in the River Test Valley. The13th-century former priory is set in glorious landscaped grounds with walled gardens, home to the National Collection of old-fashioned roses. There is an interesting art collection donated by painter Derek Hill. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Stephen Robson).
Berties	.. in this historic building, renamed 'Bertie's' after the P.G Woodhouse character Bertie Wooster.	...with a restaurant gaining recognition from the AA and Good Food Guide.
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Potters Heron Hotel	.. .. in the heart of Hampshire in this friendly, traditional hotel with a distinctive thatched roof.	.....an ideal base from which to explore the nearby city of Winchester, the New Forest, Mottisfont and Romsey.
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Mercure Wessex Winchester	.... in the heart of Winchester city centre, it runs alongside the famous Winchester Cathedral	....and is within walking distance of shops.
Winchester Cathedral 1 The Close Winchester SO23 9LS	The Cathedral Church has its origins in the seventh century, when a Christian Church was first built on the site. Begun in 1079 in the Romanesque style, this Cathedral is at the heart of Alfred's Wessex and a diocese which once stretched from London's Thames to the Channel Islands.	Tel: 01962 857 200

BERKSHIRE / Highclere Castle / Donnington Castle

Highclere Castle Highclere Park NEWBURY Berks RG20 9RN	Home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle is probably the finest Victorian home in existence, designed by Charles Barry, in a serpentine park. The house resembles the Houses of Parliament, designed by Barry at the same time. It is surrounded by lawns planted with cedars and yew hedges. The Secret Garden has herbaceous planting.	Tel: 01635 253210
Newbury Manor	..in an oasis of tranquility at Newbury Manor Hotel.	. .. with 28 bedrooms and four suites, many with patios or balconies overlooking the river and grounds.
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The Vineyard at Stockcross	.. at The Vineyard at Stockcross, a must for food and wine lovers. Let award-winning chef John Campbell wow you with his unique recipes designed to truly tantalise the palette.	.. ... and chill out in the spa and enjoy a wide variety of beauty treatments, including Choco, Vino and Truffle therapies.
Donnington Castle Newbury Berkshire	The striking twin-towered 14th-century gatehouse of this castle, later the focus of a Civil War siege and battle, survives amid impressive earthworks.	Tel: 01424 775705

BERKSHIRE / Basildon Park / Reading Football Club

Basildon Park Lower Basildon Reading Berkshire RG8 9NR Telephone: 0118 984 3040	A grand 18th-century Palladian mansion set in extensive parkland, with a fine collection of paintings, furniture and textiles. The house was saved from ruin and lovingly restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s, and contains the Graham Sutherland studies for 'Christ in Glory' tapestry hanging in Coventry Cathedral. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Raymond Lea).
The Bath Hotel	.. in a charming Victorian Country House near Reading town centre and 5 minutes from the M4. All rooms are en suite, restaurant & bar and ample parking.	.. built in 1892, it has maintained many of the original Victorian features.
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Royal County Hotel	.... in the heart of Reading’s town centre, ideally located next to the Oracle shopping complex.	.. offering you a choice of contemporary or traditional en suite bedrooms with a wealth of additional extras.
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Millenium Madejski Hotel	.. ..at the prestigious Madejski Stadium Complex, incorporating the Madejski Stadium and Royal Berkshire Conference Centre.	.. ...ideally located for those who want to visit the wonderful countryside within Royal Berkshire.
Reading Football Club Madejski Stadium Junction 11, M4 Reading Berkshire RG2 0FL	Reading FC play in the The Championship in the 2008-09 season after being relegated on the final day of the previous season. They are nicknamed the Royals, due to Reading's location in the Royal County of Berkshire.	Tel: 0118 989 1100

SURREY / Polesden Lacey / Clandon Park

Polesden Lacey Great Bookham nr Dorking Surrey RH5 6BD Tel: 01372 452048	A regency country house with renowned Edwardian interiors and gardens, set in beautiful downland countryside, home of legendary Edwardian hostess the Hon. Mrs Greville. The opulent Edwardian interior houses a fine collection of 'Old Masters' paintings. Visitors can take a variety of walks in elegant gardens and the landscaped park. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Nick Meers)
Mercure Burford Bridge Boxhill	.. nestling at the foot of Box Hill with the River Mole running at the bottom of the beautiful landscaped gardens, situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Surrey.	...close to London, the M25 network and famous attractions such as Polesden Lacey and Wisley Gardens.
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White Horse Hotel	.... ideally situated in Dorking town centre, first established as an inn in 1750 and part of Dorking's rich heritage.	....with its old oak beams, open log fires and inviting lounge.
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Ramada Guildford / Leatherhead	.. in a refurbished 19th century oak framed hotel enjoying a wealth of modern facilities.	.. offering Thatchers restaurant and club bar.
Clandon Park West Clandon Guildford Surrey GU4 7RQ Tel: 01483 222482	A grand 18th-century Palladian mansion, home to the Queens' Royal Surrey Regiment Museum. The two-storey White Marble Hall houses a superb collection of Chinese, Meissen and Sèvres Porcelain. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Nadia Mackenzie)

SURREY / Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace Surrey KT8 9AU	Hampton Court Palace is a former royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Along with St. James's Palace, it is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many owned by Henry VIII, with costumed guides, family trails, riverside gardens and the world famous maze.	Tel: 0844 482 7777
The Liongate Hotel	.. in a traditional English town house dating back to 1721 and stands proudly overlooking Bushy Park, adjacent to Hampton Court Palace.	..with rooms either in the main hotel or across the road in the Liongate Mews.
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Carlton Mitre Hotel	.. opposite beautiful Hampton Court Palace, on the banks of the River Thames in southwest London, the buildings housing the modern Carlton Mitre Hotel were first constructed in 1665.	.. ..the structure originally served as lodging for courtiers who could not be accommodated at the palace.

SURREY / RHS Garden Wisley

RHS Garden Wisley Nr Woking Surrey GU23 6QB	Acclaimed by gardeners throughout the world , a unique and charming place to visit. The flagship garden of the RHS, Wisley, captures the imagination with richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and the state-of-the-art new Glasshouse.	Tel: 01483 224234
Holiday Inn Woking	.. at the Holiday Inn Woking and you can enjoy a central location, comfortable, well-equipped rooms and all the service you can expect from a Holiday Inn.	.. ...offering comfortable and modern accommodation for business and leisure travellers alike.
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Preston Cross Hotel	....in a fine country house hotel set in four acres of beautiful wooded grounds. From the moment you arrive, you are truly welcome at the Preston Cross Hotel.	....a fine Victorian country house converted to a private hotel in the mid 1960s.

SUSSEX / Bateman's

Bateman's Burwash Etchingham East Sussex TN19 7DS Tel: 01435 882302	The home of Rudyard Kipling, a Jacobean house, is just as he left it, reflecting the author's exotic oriental tastes. Here are the original illustrations for The Jungle Book, drawn by Detmold brothers. Delightful gardens run down to the River Dudwell with a working watermill where you can watch corn being ground. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / Stephen Robson)
Buxted Park Country House	.. in this magnificent country house hotel set in 300 acres of parkland, yet conveniently close to Gatwick, Brighton and Hove.	....bedrooms have been carefully designed to blend Georgian styling with today's more contemporary comforts.
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Boship Farm Hotel Hailsham	.. situated along the A22, a hotel set in 17 acres of beautiful grounds retaining a pleasant country atmosphere.	....with extensive car parking, a helipad in the grounds, with an all-weather tennis court and outdoor heated pool.

SUSSEX / Petworth House and Park / Arundel Castle

Petworth House and Park Petworth West Sussex GU28 0AE Tel: 01798 343929	A magnificent country house and park with an internationally important art collection. With numerous works by Turner; Petworth itself was immortalised in his paintings. There are fascinating servants' quarters with a 'state of the art' Victorian kitchen. Petworth Park is a 700 acre park landscaped by 'Capability' Brown. A National Trust property where charges apply. (Photo: © NTPL / F.A.H. Bloemendal)
The Old Railway Station	.. in what was formerly Petworth Railway Station, built in 1894 - now the perfect place to relax in colonial splendour.	.. ...there are 2 rooms in the Station House, the remaining guest rooms are in our fully restored Edwardian Pullman railway carriages.
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The Roundabout Hotel, Pulborough	.. in this get-away-from-it-all location in the heart of the West Sussex countryside.	.. elegance, peace and quiet, total comfort and personal service create a relaxed atmosphere with a hint of luxury.
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Arundel Park Hotel	.. ..in this small, family-run hotel, set in the picturesque town of Arundel.	....close to Arundel castle, cathedral and town centre.
Arundel Castle Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AB Tel: 01903 882173	Arundel Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk, dates from the Norman Conquest. It is one of the great treasure houses of England and contains fine collections of furniture and paintings, tapestries and stained glass, china and clocks, sculpture and carving, heraldry and armour in stunning room settings.	www.arundelcastle.org

SUSSEX / Goodwood House / Goodwood Racing

Goodwood House Goodwood nr Chichester PO18 0PX	With its 12,000 acres, Goodwood is now world famous as one of England’s most lively and fashionable country estates. The Dukes of Richmond are the proud possessors of one of the finest and most representative of English art collections. Since the recent four year restoration by the Earl of March, son and heir to the present Duke, the walls are fully hung with both British and European paintings, and the rooms furnished with French and English furniture of the finest quality.	Tel: 01243 755048
The Goodwood Park Hotel	.. within the 12,000 acre Goodwood Estate, just beneath the South Downs, in this elegant hotel, sympathetically created on the site of an 18th century coaching house.	.. with a fine dining restaurant, extensive leisure facilities, 3 golf courses, a stunning pool, steam room, sauna and gym.
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Chichester Park Hotel	.... on the outskirts of Chichester, near to the Goodwood racetrack and motor circuit.	.. in a friendly and well located 3-star hotel offering good food, professional service and a warm welcome.
Goodwood Racing Goodwood House Goodwood Chichester West Sussex PO18 0PX.	It was the 3rd Duke of Richmond, who in 1802 first brought horseracing to Goodwood. Now more than 200 years later Goodwood is internationally acclaimed as being one of the most beautiful racecourses in the world. Renowned for it's unique style and elegance,	Tel: 01243 755030

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