Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE best TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
IN HAMPSHIRE & DORSET
W Cycling or hiking to a New Forest pub (or two): The National Park is criss-
crossed by a network of bike and walking trails, and dotted with some of southern
England's best country pubs. Arm yourself with a good map, and work up an appe-
tite for hearty Hampshire produce washed down with a Ringwood ale. See p. 302.
W Exploring below-decks on Nelson's flagship: HMS Victory is the centerpiece of
Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard. A 45-minute guided tour, which covers everything
from the ballast to the mainsail, is packed with enough living history and grizzly
anecdotes to please everyone. See p. 298.
W Admiring Lyme Regis from the tip of the Cobb: This 18th-century sea defense
snakes out to sea from Lyme's sandy beach, wrapping the pretty little harbor in a
protective embrace. Afterward, browse a quirky resort high street that's almost
unchanged since Jane Austen visited. See p. 319.
W Enjoying fresh air and fine food in the West Wight: The tiny yachtie port of
Yarmouth makes a quaint jumping-off point for the best of the Isle of Wight. A
brisk half-day walk takes in the Needles and Freshwater Bay, and leaves time for
refined dining in a formal restaurant or gastropub. See p. 308 and 309.
W Acquainting yourself with architectural genius in Sherborne: The fan vault was
the peculiarly English Gothic solution to supporting a huge ceiling with grace and
elegance. Sherborne Abbey showcases one of Britain's most impressive examples—
pack your binoculars to view it up close. See p. 321.
7
WINCHESTER
72 miles SW of London; 12 miles N of Southampton
Hampshire's history hotspot, and the capital of the ancient kingdom of Wessex, Win-
chester has long been linked with King Alfred, who is honored today by a statue on
the High Street. Alfred the Great, born in 849, was crowned king in 871, ruling until
his death in 899. He is known as “the Great,” because he defended Anglo-Saxon
England against Viking raids, formulated a code of laws, and fostered a rebirth of
religious and scholarly activity.
Its past glory but a memory, Winchester is today a well-kept market town on the
water meadows along the Itchen River, with a well curated (and free) City Museum
and an interesting array of independent shops. Of course, Hampshire is also a draw
for Jane Austen fans. You can visit her grave in Winchester Cathedral, as well as
Chawton Cottage, where she lived during her most productive years.
Essentials
GETTING THERE Frequent daily trains run from London's Waterloo Station to
Winchester. The trip takes around 1 hour from around £30 for a round-trip. Arrivals
are at Winchester Station, Station Hill, a 10-minute walk northwest of the center.
If you're driving from Southampton, head north on the A335 until it joins the
northbound M3; from London, take the M3 motorway southwest.
VISITOR INFORMATION The Tourist Information Centre, Broadway
( &   01962/840500; www.visitwinchester.co.uk), is open Monday to Saturday 10am
 
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