Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DAY-TRIPPING IN THE
test
VALLEY
Join the dots in the gentle countryside
around
Romsey,
along the banks of
the River Test, to create a day-trip
with something for the entire family.
Mottisfont Abbey
, near Romsey
(
&
01794/340757;
www.nationaltrust.
org.uk/mottisfont), began as a 13th-
century Augustinian priory before being
transformed (thanks to the Reforma-
tion) into a grand, riverside private
home. The gardens are radiant in the
height of summer, especially the
walled
rose garden
, home to Britain's
national collection of old-fashioned
roses. Perfumes and colors are in full
effect during June, when the garden
gets very busy on weekends. Admission
costs £7.60 adults, £3.80 children 5 to
16. Hours are 10am to 5pm daily from
late February through October; a winter
garden was inaugurated in 2011, and
that's open November through January
Friday to Monday 10am to 5pm. Nearby
Broadlands
www.broadlands.net), one of the most
stately examples of Palladian architecture
in rural England, was landscaped by Capa-
bility Brown in the 18th century. It was the
family home of Earl Mountbatten until he
was assassinated by the Provisional IRA in
1979. The estate is closed for major resto-
ration work until mid-2012. The excellent
2011 addition to
Paultons Family Theme
Park,
Ower, near Romsey (
&
023/8081-
4442;
www.paultonspark.co.uk), is Peppa
Pig World, aimed at under-5s, which joins
fairly gentle roller-coasters, a fun log ride,
and several other theme-park favorites
ideal for children 7 to 12. Admission costs
£21 per person (seniors pay £19), with
children under 1m (3 ft., 4 in.) entering
free. You can save a couple of pounds
each by pre-booking family tickets online.
Paultons is open daily between April and
August, Thursday to Monday in Septem-
ber and October, Friday to Monday in
March, and weekends only in November
and December.
7
(
&
01794/505010;
dishes like Wyk Pie (minced beef topped with potato and cheese) to contemporary
flourishes such as seared scallops served with cauliflower purée and fried seaweed.
Main courses range from £8 to £16; reservations are recommended at weekends.
75 Kingsgate St., Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9PE. www.fullershotels.com.
&
01962/853834.
Fax
01962/854411. 14 units. £139-£164 double. Rates include English breakfast. AE, MC, V. Free parking. No
children 13 and under.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, minibar, MP3 docking station,
Wi-Fi (free).
PORTSMOUTH & SOUTHSEA
75 miles SW of London; 19 miles SE of Southampton
There are at least 10 places in the world called
Portsmouth,
but the forerunner is this
old port city on the Hampshire coast, seat of the British Navy for 500 years. The seaport
was rebuilt admirably after World War II devastation, and its
Historic Dockyard
is an
essential stop for visitors interested in the nautical history of England. From Sally Port,
in
Old Portsmouth,
countless naval heroes have embarked to fight England's battles,
including on June 6, 1944, when Allied troops set sail to invade occupied France.
Genteel
Southsea,
adjoining Portsmouth, is a popular seaside resort with a pebble
beach, lush gardens, and a small
D-Day Museum
displaying the Overlord Embroi-
dery, England's postwar answer to the Bayeux Tapestry. Ascend the harborfront
Spin-
naker Tower
to see the twin city laid out below you.
