Hampshire in southern England is renowned for its long and plentiful history. Its peaceful rural setting is dotted with pretty villages, lovely countryside and market towns. The Test Valley in west Hampshire has the River Test meandering through ancient woodlands, tranquil water meadows and rolling chalk hills. Numerous thatched cottages and picturesque villages add to the area’s charm. The Test Valley is most famous for its fly-fishing and the clear chalk streams of the River Test and its tributaries yield up brown trout, grayling and salmon.
Central Hampshire is home to the historic cathedral city of Winchester, and the lovely chalk streams of the Itchen Valley. You’ll find unspoiled villages, nature reserves and heritage sites. With its steep wooded hills and hidden valleys of watercress farms, lavender fields, vineyards, hop gardens, and trout-filled streams, its picture-perfect villages, and peaceful market towns, this is one of the loveliest parts of rural England.
These parts of the county of Hampshire have much to explore with a beautiful cathedral, churches and abbeys, fabulous gardens, historic homes, and fascinating museums, as well as good driving roads and lovely scenery of rolling chalk downlands.
