Live like a local...
1 THE STARGAZING SPOT
HIGH ON A HILL TO THE VALLEY’S EAST, HAMPSHIRE ASTRONOMICAL GROUP’S Clanfield Observatory (HANTSASTRO.ORG.UK) IS ONE OF THE BESTEQUIPPED AMATEUR OPERATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. PERFECTLY PLACED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY RESERVE, IT RUNS ASTRONOMY COURSES AS WELL AS REGULAR OPEN DAYS AND EVENINGS.
2 THE COMEDY FIX
Stitches Comedy Club (STITCHES.FUN) ATTRACTS FAMILIAR VOICES FROM RADIO AND TELEVISION TO ITS REGULAR COMEDY NIGHTS IN VENUES INCLUDING EAST MEON VILLAGE HALL AND WICKHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE. A FEW MILES SOUTH, IN FAREHAM, YOU CAN CATCH STARS OF THE STAND-UP CIRCUIT ON TOUR AT Ashcroft Arts Centre (ASHCROFT.ORG.UK) AS PART OF ITS PROGRAMME OF COMEDY, FOLK MUSIC AND THEATRE.
3 THE BOUTIQUE FESTIVAL
ONE OF THE SAFEST, MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE UK, Wickham Festival (WICKHAMFESTIVAL. CO.UK) IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE VALLEY’S CULTURAL CALENDAR, ATTRACTING A LARGE LOCAL AUDIENCE ALONGSIDE VISITORS WHO COME TO SEE BIG NAMES. THIS YEAR’S LINE-UP INCLUDES SUZI QUATRO AND LEVELLERS, WITH CIRCUS PERFORMERS, STORYTELLING AND A SILENT DISCO AMONG THE OFF-STAGE ATTRACTIONS.
4 THE AWARDWINNING WINES
AMONG SEVERAL SOUTH DOWNS PRODUCERS WHOSE FINE SPARKLING WINES REFLECT THE IDEAL CONDITIONS OF ITS CHALK SOILS AND SUNNY SLOPES, Hambledon (HAMBLEDONVINEYARD.CO.UK) IS THE UK’S OLDEST COMMERCIAL VINEYARD. IT OFFERS TOURS, TASTINGS, AFTERNOON TEAS AND A NEW CELLAR DOOR DINING EXPERIENCE CREATED BY A MICHELIN STAR-WINNING CHEF.
5 THE GASTROPUB
NEXT TO THE RIVER MEON WITH A GARDEN FACING OLD WINCHESTER HILL, The Shoe at Exton (THESHOEEXTON.CO.UK) COMBINES ECLECTIC INFLUENCES WITH CLASSIC PUB COOKERY, RANGING FROM KOREAN CAULIFLOWER “POPCORN” TO LOCALLY SOURCED BELLY PORK.