Portsmouth

Portsmouth. One of England's most famous cities and with a rich maritime history known around the world. You can find out more about its history here:

http://www.localhistories.org/portsmouth.html 

Just 65 miles from London and only 19 miles from Portsmouth this city is a must on your visit list if you are coming from overseas.

Portsmouth has the world's oldest dry dock which is still in use today. The city is home to one of the most famous ships in naval history - HMS Victory. Portsmouth is still a significant and important strategic base and dockyard for the Royal Navy.

With a population of over 200,000 the nearby Southampton, Havant, Eastleigh, Fareham and Gosport all contribute to making this the 6th largest urban area in England. Portsmouth today is still a busy port and ferry terminal. The centre of the town has an abundance of cafes, restaurants and bars and there is a long sea front promenade from where you can observe the old sea forts and the incoming vessels as they travel to and from port.

For more photos of Portsmouth and HMS Victory click here or view on You Tube

Portchester Castle

The medieval Portchester Castle has its origins from a Roman Fort. Situated just East of Fareham and close to Portsmouth Harbour, this late 11th century castle is an impressive structure in a prominent position at the head of the Harbour.

This Grade I listed building is part of the Southwick Estate but managed by English Heritage it is open to visitors all year round. Today it is a popular recreational destination with some spectacular views of the harbour and a good place for ramblers.

Rumour has it that the castle is haunted with sightings of a horse appearing from a wall and then disappearing from site. You can find out more about the history of the castle at http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

For photos of Portchester Castle click here or view on You Tube

Southampton

Southampton in Hampshire is just 19 miles from Portsmouth. Both Southampton and nearby Portsmouth have a population of over 1.5 million people. Southampton has been an important strategic military town since the civil war. It has seen expansion and popularity as a Spa Town and today it is a popular tourist destination close to the New Forest.

The Pilgrim Fathers left Southampton on the Mayflower in 1620 and in 1912 the RMS Titanic left Southampton on its fateful maiden voyage.The famous Spitfire Aircraft was designed and built in Southampton. 

Southampton docks play a major part in the economy as well as being a major employer in the city. The port is used for cruise ships and luxury liners as well as for freight, the fourth largest in terms of tonnage of freight in the UK. 

This is a major UK historical town with a good infrastructure and plenty of accommodation, restaurants, cafes and bars. There is plenty to do and see in the town and you have the added advantage of Portsmouth being situated nearby. 

For more photos of Southampton click here 

New Forest

The New Forest is truly unique. The landscape is varied and spectacular and wild ponies and horses wander freely around the forest. This is an old and ancient forest. Cattle and horses have right of way here and wild deer can be seen off the beaten track.

The New Forest is an ideal place to spend a holiday and an alternative from the nearby coast. There are plenty of camp sites and places to stay and this is a true walkers paradise for those that are interested in getting back to nature or hiking.

There are a lot of attractions around the New Forest and it is the ideal location for a family holiday. Pony and horse trekking is popular, the National Motor Museum is situated at Beaulieu and has a massive collection of over 250 vehicles. The New Forest Museum at Lyndhurst is certainly worth a visit and deals with the forest's history and its human story.

If you want to forget about city life and just spend a relaxing time travelling through beautiful scenery and observe the wonders of nature then this is definately the place to go. If you find that you want something different then the sea is only a short distance away.

For more photos of the New Forest in Dorset click here or view the photos on You Tube