Options for a perfect day out in Hampshire area
The summer half term is almost here and parents will be busy thinking of ideas for keeping children occupied at the end of the month.
Luckily the National Trust has plenty of fantastic buildings, walks and visitor attractions in Hampshire which are only a short drive away from Portsmouth.
Most sites will charge a fee for entry but visits will be free to National Trust members with adult prices starting at £84 a year.
In Hampshire these are just some of the gems you can explore.
Uppark House and Garden (near Petersfield): The 17th-century house with views as far as the English Channel houses one of the best 18th-century dolls' house in the country. The gardens are fantastic to explore and have been gradually restored to its original 19th-century design.
Hindhead Commons
and the Devil's Punch Bowl (Hindhead on the Hampshire and Surrey border):
Straight up the A3 is the spectacular heath and woodland which has now been reunited by the Hindhead Tunnel. With two heathland areas are a mass of heather and native trees with glorious views across the punchbowl to the north and across Hampshire to the south.
New Forest Commons (near East Wellow):
The commons are teeming with wildlife to discover and you can enjoy a leisurely stroll within the varied landscape of woodland, grassland and heathland.
The Vyne (Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke):
Enjoy learning about the history of this grand Tudor mansion, including an exhibition space showing off more than 500 years of history.
West Green House Garden (West Green, Hartley Wintney): This charming 18th century house is surrounded by a delightful series of walled gardens which visitors can enjoy.
Hinton Ampner (near Alresford): When Ralph Dutton’s home was destroyed in a catastrophic fire in 1960, he decided to rebuild it in the light and airy Georgian style he was a fan of. The new house had a set of tranquil garden rooms, each with distinctive planting, and rooms filled with ceramics and art Dutton had collected.
For a full list of National Trust sites you can explore, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk