Destination Wessex

The house dates back to the 11th century aw a fine Palladian mansion. The state rooms are magnificently decorated.

Opening Times: Sun. and Bank Hol. Mons., May-Sept., 14.30-17.30

Entrance fee: £4.00
Daytime Tel: 01962 779260
Email: enquiries@avingtonpark.co.uk
Website: www.avingtonpark.co.uk

The Palace House has been the home of the Montagu family since 1538. Before then it was Beaulieu Abbey founded in 1204.

Opening Times: May - Sept. 10.00-18.00, Oct.-April 10.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £14.00 inclusive
Daytime Tel: 01590 614789
Email: stephenmunn@beaulieu.co.uk
Website: www.beaulieu.co.uk

Its 19th century gardens include a formal Victorian garden and a particularly interesting wilderness garden.

Entrance fee: £14
Daytime Tel: 01590 614 605
Email: stephen.munn@beaulieu.co.uk
Website: www. beaulieu.co.uk

Broadlands is an elegant Palladian mansion in a beautiful landscaped setting. It contains the art treasures and mementoes collected over the years.

Opening Times: Weekdays 28 June-1 Sept. 13.00-17.30. Guided tours only. Last tour 16.00

Season: 28 June-1 September
Entrance fee: £8.00 for house and Mountbatten Museum
Daytime Tel: 01794 505010
Email: admin@broadlands.net
Website: www.broadlands.net

The castle is a three story fort on a shingle spit at the mouth of Southampton Water. It was a critical element in the defences of the south coast.

Opening Times: Daily 10.00am 4.00pm

Season: April to October
Entrance fee: Adult £2.80, Senior £2.10, Child £1.40
Daytime Tel: 02380 892023
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/calshot

Award winning gardens with over 200 acres of natural beauty and horticultural variety. World famous displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

Opening Times: 8 Mar - 8 Nov. 10.00am to 5.00pm last admission. Gates close 6pm.

Entrance fee: Adults: £8.00, Seniors £7.50. Children £1.50. Family ticket £18.50
Daytime Tel: 023 8089 1203
Email: nigel.philpott@exbury.co.uk
Website: www.exbury.co.uk

The fort contains a fine exhibition that covers the story of these Victorian castles and the other defences around the Solent.

Opening Times: Sat., Sun., April-October, 10.00-17.00 or 18.00

Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Entrance fee: £2.50, £1.90, £1.
Daytime Tel: 01225 754026
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/fortbrockhurst

The last bastioned fort built in England and the first with casemates in the curtain walls. A fine example of 18th century defensive architecture.

Opening Times: July-September, advance booking only

Season: July-September
Entrance fee: by prior arrangement
Daytime Tel: 01424 775705
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/fortcumberland

A fine example of the Georgian picturesque cottage ornee architecture.

Opening Times: Open by appointment only. The garden is open Mar. to Sept.

Entrance fee: £5.00

Like Calshot Castle, Hurst Castle was built by Henry VIII in 1544 as one of a chain of coastal fortresses protecting the entrance to the Solent

Opening Times: April-October, 10.00-17.30 daily

Entrance fee: £3.00
Daytime Tel: 01590 642344
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/hurst

The life of the prosperous merchant in the middle ages is vividly evoked in this recreated, faithfully restored 13th century townhouse.

Opening Times: Open. Daily 1 Apr - 30 Sept.,10am - 6pm. 1 - 31 Oct. 10am - 5pm

Entrance fee: £2.50

The collection of this world famous motor museum now comprises some 250 vehicles from some of the earliest examples of motoring.

Opening Times: Daily Oct - Apr 10am - 5pm, May - Sept 10am - 6pm.

Entrance fee: Adult £15.00
Daytime Tel: 01590 614645
Email: groups@beaulieu.co.uk
Website: www.beaulieu.co.uk/motormuseum

The original structure was a chapel built in 1188-1196 in a Norman style to serve the needs of the seafaring community.

Opening Times: Daily

Entrance fee: Donation suggested
Daytime Tel: 023 928 25500
Email: rosemary.fairfax@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Website: www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

See the three most important warships ever built - Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior. Also visit the Royal Naval Museum and go on harbour tours.

Opening Times: Open 10am all year except Christmas. Last tickets sold 4.30pm Apr-Oct. 4.00pm Nov-Mar.

Entrance fee: Adults £18.00 all attractions. £12.50 each attraction. Concessions.
Daytime Tel: 023 9283 9766
Email: enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk
Website: www.flagship.org.uk

This large Roman Villa was built 1600 years ago but only discovered in 1942.

Opening Times: April to September 10.30am-6.00pm. Last admissions 5.30pm..

Entrance fee: Adult£2.25
Daytime Tel: 01725 518541
Website: www.hants.gov.uk/museum/rockbourne

The first foundation of a nunnery at Romsey dates from 907. The present magnificent Abbey church was built in stages between 1120 and 1230.

Opening Times: Daily. 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Entrance fee: Donations are welcome
Daytime Tel: 01794 513125
Email: romsey.abbey@lineone.net
Website: www.romseyabbey.org.uk

Internationally famous and unique collection of 12,000 types of hardy trees and shrubs in 180 acres, and boasts the largest Winter Garden in Europe.

Opening Times: 10am - 6pm all year except Christmas. No dogs.

Entrance fee: Adult £7.50. Concessions.
Daytime Tel: 01794 369318
Email: info@hilliergardens.org.uk
Website: www.hilliergardens.org.uk

The abbey was founded by the Bishop of Winchester in the 13th century and served in this way until it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539.

Opening Times: 10.00am - 6.00pm but closes earlier in winter.

Entrance fee: Free
Daytime Tel: 02380 226235
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/southeast

The construction of Winchester Castle was begun by William the Conqueror in 1066. The Great Hall and Sally Port are now its only surviving parts.

Opening Times: Daily all year, 10.00-17.00

Season: Daily
Entrance fee: Free. Donations accepted
Daytime Tel: 01962 846476
Email: thegreat.hall@hants.gov.uk
Website: www.hants.gov.uk/leisure/greathall

King Cenwalh's minster church built in Wintanceaster in 643 became in 670 a cathedral. Many of the kings of Wessex are buried in the Old Minster.

Opening Times: 8.30am - 6.00pm daily

Entrance fee: Suggested donation £3.50
Daytime Tel: 01962 857251
Email: stuart.vause@winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Website: www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

The castle was the chief residence of the Bishops of Winchester. Its ruins still reflect their importance and wealth.

Opening Times: Daily, April-September 10.00-17.00. Oct-March closed.

Season: Daily April-Sept.
Entrance fee: Free
Daytime Tel: 01962 854766
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/wolvesey

A fine 20th century garden designed by Ralph Dutton the last Lord Sherborne.

Opening Times: Daily except Thurs., Fri., 18 Mar.-11 Oct., 11.00-17.00

Entrance fee: Garden £5.50, house and garden £6.50
Daytime Tel: 01962 771 305
Email: hintonampner@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The 5 acre Grade 2(star) garden surrounds the Cottage Ornee.

Opening Times: Weekends 1 Mar.,-30 Sept.,10.00-17.00. Weekdays except Weds., 14.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £5.00
Daytime Tel: 01264 810502
Email: info@houghtonlodge.co.uk
Website: www.houghtonlodge.co.uk

A 12th Augustinian priory converted into a house at the time of the Dissolution.

Opening Times: 27 Feb.-2 June, Mon.-Wed., Sat, Sun. 30 June-2 Nov., 11.00-17.00. 9-29 June, daily, 11.00-20.30. 1 July-3 Sept., 11.00-17.00, closed Fri.

Entrance fee: £7.00 house and garden. £8.00 during rose season.
Daytime Tel: 01794 340757
Email: mottisfontabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.www.nationaltrust.org.uk