What to do

One of the great attractions of the area is the wonderful walking and cycling opportunities, both in the countryside around East Meon and along coast. In the cottage, there is a list of walks and rides with accompanying maps, enough to keep anyone happy for a two-week holiday.

We hope you also find the following links useful to plan your stay.

Major Attractions and Entertainment
For Kids
Beaches
Shopping and Provisions
Fishing


Major Attractions and Entertainment

The Historic Dockyard – Discover the world famous historic ships – HMS Victory, the Mary Rose & HMS Warrior 1860 that have shaped British history.

Harbour Tours (from the Historic Dockyard) - Portsmouth's Naval Base remains as much a centre of the Royal Navy's activities as ever. It is the home of Britain's three aircraft carriers (HMS Illustrious, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible) plus a large fleet of destroyers, frigates, mine warfare ships, offshore patrol vessels, and assorted other naval craft. Take a 45 minute tour around Portsmouth Harbour and enjoy the lively commentary, whilst savouring the fabulous views across the harbour.

The Spinnaker Tower - A visit to the Spinnaker Tower will take your breath away. Experience the stunning views from this unique tower, it is the new must do, must see experience in Portsmouth and the South of England. Visiting as a local resident, staying with family and friends, or an international tourist; there really is something for everyone. Watch the ever changing vista of Portsmouth Harbour – one of the nation's biggest and busiest ports. Portsmouth Harbour remains key to the defence of Britain, viewed from 170m high the naval defences are clearly seen.

Open Air Museum - The leading museum of historic buildings in England. Set in 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside is a very special place to wander amongst a fascinating collection of nearly 50 historic buildings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, many with period gardens, together with farm animals, woodland walks and a picturesque lake.

Jane Austen’s House - Jane Austen's House is a pleasant seventeenth century house in the pretty village of Chawton in Hampshire not far from her birthplace of Steventon. The museum houses an attractive collection of items connected with Jane and her family including the table that she used to write her famous novels including Pride & Prejudice. There is some of her jewellery and examples of her needlework skill. In the drawing room is a fine Hepplewhite bureau-bookcase and chairs that belonged to Jane's father and came from the rectory at Steventon. The bookcase contains some first editions of Jane's novels.

Gilbert White’s House and Oats Museum - Enjoy a special day out at this fascinating and most original museum commemorating important individuals in the exploration of the natural world, set in an historic village in beautiful countryside. View the House and Museum, go for a walk around the delightful gardens and through the Park to see the follies take tea in the Parlour and shop in the old billiard room. Time and energy permitting walk up the famous Gilbert White's Zigzag through the hanging beechwoods return and tour the grounds. Or just sit and look at one of the most delightful views in the South of England. Also, the Oates Museum exhibits focus on the lives and adventures of Captain Lawrence Oates and his uncle Frank, explaining the life and tragic death of the soldier and explorer. Captain Scott's 1911 Tera Nova expedition, and Oates's part in it, is brought to life using some of Ponting's photographs and the exhibition's film 90deg South. Of outstanding interest, are a set of the original polar clothing and one of the large wooden sledges man-hauled by the team members.

Watercress Line - Formerly part of Britain's national rail network between the towns of Alton and Alresford in Hampshire, this preserved heritage steam railway line is now operated by dedicated volunteers for the enjoyment of all.

Spitbank Fort - In the Solent between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight there are four Napoleonic Forts, which were built to protect the Solent in the event of any invasion from France. One of these is now a very unique venue you can visit.

Chichester Harbour Tours - A boat cruise with Chichester Harbour Water Tours enables you to see much of the unspoilt area from the water. From the narrow harbour mouth between Sandy point Hayling Island, and East Head in Sussex, to Emsworth, Thorny Island Channels, Bosham, and Dell Quay.

Gunwharf Quays - Shop at over 85 designer outlets, eat at one of 20 cosmopolitan bars & restaurants, be entertained at the 14-screen vue cinema, bowl at the 26-lane Bowlplex, have a laugh at Jongleurs comedy club, dance the night away at Tiger Tiger.

Port Solent - Port Solent in Portsmouth is one of the South Coast’s leading leisure attractions where you can stroll along the marina, browse amongst the individual shops on The Boardwalk, or just relax in the Mediterranean atmosphere of this picturesque site and watch as the world goes by.

Uppark – One of many local National Trust properties. A late 17th-century house elevated upon the South Downs.

Hinton Ampner – Another National Trust property and one of the many local gardens to visit.

Cowdray Park Polo Club -The lawns of the Polo club are overlooked by the ruins of the old Cowdray stately home and there are few places that typify a ‘British Summer Day Out’ like Cowdray. The height of the year for Cowdray, and part of the widely recognised British Social ‘Season’ is the Cowdray Gold Cup in June. If you are coming during this event, please feel free to contact me for recommendations or go to the Cowdray Estate website for ticket bookings. Apart from the Gold Cup, the website is worth checking for any games due to be played on the Lawns as it is a great opportunity for a day out and a picnic.

Stonehenge – Just under one hour away. Estimated to date from 3100BC. This English Heritage site needs no introduction.

Butser Ancient Farm – Close to East Meon is this ‘open air’ laboratory for research into prehistoric and Roman agriculture and building techniques.

In addition, nearby towns and cities include;

• Porstmouth – Home of the Historic Dockyard and around 20 minutes drive from East Meon
• Chichester – Old Roman town, around 40 minutes drive from East Meon
• Winchester – The original capital of England and home to the cathedral and ‘round table’, 30 minutes drive from East Meon
• Southampton – Home to the world’s greatest cruise liners, around 45 minutes away
• Petworth – haven for antique shoppers, around 30 minutes drive
• The Isle of Wight – Easy to reach for a day out (ferry information from Portsmouth is available at the cottage)
• Bath – Historic Spa town, around 90 minutes away

For Kids

Action Stations - Ever wondered what it is like to go into battle with the Royal Marines? To command a warship? Fly a helicopter? Now you can find out at Action Stations, the interactive showcase of the modern Navy!

Marwell Zoo - Marwell is set in a hundred acres of Hampshire countryside and has over 200 different species of animals including Amur tigers and leopards, cheetah, ocelot, zebra, rhino, pygmy hippo, giraffes, meerkats and penguins. Marwell is dedicated to the conservation of rare species and to spreading information about the world and its wildlife

Blue Reef Aquarium – Nearby in Southsea, and voted Visitor Attraction of the Year by Tourism South East. Be amazed by animals ranging from local marine species to the hundreds of tropical fish in the gigantic ocean display complete with underwater tunnel.

Monkeyworld - Set amongst the woodland of Dorset lays 65 acres of sanctuary for over 150 primates. Monkey World works in conjunction with foreign governments from all over the world to stop the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia. At the park visitors can see more than 150 primates of 15 different species. There are currently 56 chimpanzees at Monkey World, which makes it the largest group outside Africa. Be sure to say hello to our own adopted chimpanzee while there. His name is Simon.

Hollycoombe Steam museum - You have to check the opening times of this attraction, which is located a little way North just off the A3 but it is certainly different to any other funfair you are likely to visit. Kids will find it fun for the various carousels and fairground rides, adults will love its classic old-fashioned charm, and steam enthusiasts will be fascinated by the various steam-powered rides and trains that fill the park. There is also a small farm on site. Highly recommended.

Watercress Line - This is another attraction that is as much of interest to steam enthusiasts as to children, but if you can get tickets to the occasional and very popular ‘Days Out With Thomas’ then it is certainly one the kids will remember.

PYO – remember how you loved to visit ‘Pick Your Own’ strawberry farms as a kid? Eating more than you put in the basket and feeling sick afterwards? Well there are two nearby, including one that sells superb fresh vegetables from its shop, including freshly-cut asparagus. Sustainability center - The Sustainability Centre is situated on top of the South Downs, three miles south of East Meon and offers various courses an open days. The centre was set up by the charity Earthworks Trust to demonstrate, develop and promote knowledge, skills, technologies and lifestyles that improve peoples qualify of life without damaging the local and global environment.


Beaches

There are a number of good beaches in the area. This is our own humble opinion of them in the order of distance from East Meon.

Southsea – A classic Victorian Seaside town with a long beach backing onto a Promenade and beachfront road. There is a pier, a small castle, memorials and also a Blue Reef Aquarium. The beach is sand and long and thin. It gets busy in the summer and has various nightclubs but makes for a nice early evening stroll. We recommend fish and chips in the open air!

Hayling Island - There are several options at Hayling. Beachlands is the best if you want to be near the amusements and facilities of ‘Funland’. However, for a quieter spot, then head west along the main beach to a car park between some beach huts. It still gets busy here in the summer but less so. From there, the further west you go, the quieter it will get. There is another car park further west which usually has windsurfers kitting up, as this is a top windsurfing location. We don’t recommend swimming in this area as the windsurfers are restricted to this area. The beach at Hayling is part sand and part stone. At the high tide mark is it almost all stone and shell so if you want sand you will have to time the tides well. There is a tide table in the cottage. If you simply want to go for a walk there, looking over at the Isle of Wight and the yachts in the Solent, then some time nearer low tide would be best.

West Wittering - This is about another 20 or 25 minutes further than Hayling Island and a lot busier traffic in the summer, but if you want a golden sand beach among the best in the country, then this is the place to go. In early spring, and when it is deserted in winter on a clear day, it’s idyllic. I can compare fishing here to fishing in the Carribbean (although less fish!). It really is a gorgeous spot. When you arrive at the car park, we’d recommend going as far to the end of the car park as you can and then walking out the far end of the car park onto the National Trust area, known as East Head. You can do a circular walk through the dunes.

Bracklesham - This is the place to go if you want a quiet beach. However, it is almost entirely made up of shells and there are no facilities. The SW-facing beach means that every winter it seems to change shape as it bears the brunt of prevailing onshore winds, but if you are after a quiet spot of beach for a BBQ or picnic, then this is a good spot. There are some nearby caravan parks so it will be busier in the summer but quiet out of the main season. One reason it is quiet is that it is difficult to locate properly. Follow the map to Bracklesham (Near East Wittering) and head past the ‘Lively Lady’ pub. It will look like you are heading to a dead-end with a barrier across the road, but just level with this barrier, there is a very final left-hand turn (you will not see it until at the end of the road but one way to confirm that you are in the right place is that there is a car park as soon as you turn into the road, with public toilets). Do not park in this car park but carry on down the road until you reach the caravan park on the left and park on the road there. There is an alleyway that takes you through to the beach.


Shopping and Provisions

Shopping opportunities are wide and varied in the area, including designer outlet shopping at Gunwharf Quays, antiques at The Packhouse and Petworth and all your usual favourite stores in Winchester and Chichester.

Gunwharf Quays – We are not enthusiastic shoppers and around two shops into any shopping trip we are heading for the nearest bar, coffee shop or restaurant. But even we admit that Gunwharf Quays is a winner. Maybe it’s because there are a bunch of bars, coffee shops and restaurants (including the likes of ‘La Tasca’, ‘Loch Fyne’, ‘Café Rouge’, ‘Tiger Tiger’ and ‘Jongleurs’ – see Restaurants) or it might just be that the designer outlet shopping is genuinely good (and cheap) with Ralph Lauren, Animal, Quicksilver, Benneton Oakley, Fat Face, Crew, L’Occitane, Whittards and Denby among the many shops.

Also at Gunwharf, which is located right on the quayside of Portsmouth Harbour, there is a cinema (Vue), a bowling alley and the Spinnaker Tower. The Historic Dockyard is also close by.

Provisions

The two main and closest supermarkets are Tesco and Waitrose, which are both in Petersfied. A Marks and Spencer ‘Simply Food’ store has also recently opened in Petersfield. The nearest Asda is a little further away, in Waterlooville (they outlawed Morrisons and Aldi after a civil uprising during the late 1990s).

The village shop should be able to provide all the basics such as bread, milk, basic meals and wine/beer. They also bake their own breads. We suggest the croissants for one morning’s breakfast, although they are popular so the best bet is to order them the day before.

Butchers: There are two very good traditional award-winning butchers in the area. One is in Clanfield. The other (easier to find) is Harriots in West Meon.

Delicatessen: There are two local deli’s. One is in Harriots the butcher in West Meon and the other is in the main Lavant Street in Petersfield.

Farm Shop: (and also a PYO): Durleigh Marsh Farm is situated on the A272 towards Midhurst. Don’t miss the chance for freshly-cut seasonal asparagus in the springtime!



Fishing

We are in a great area for fishing and Clive will be more than happy to point experienced anglers in the right direction as well as to take beginners to introduce them to the sport.

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is often an area of the sport which we think of as ‘what someone else does’, but fly fishing is now more accessible than ever and Clive would be happy to give you a starter lesson in the sport, even if you are not a retired Major-General.

If you are more experienced then there are several local fisheries Clive recommends for different reasons.

Meon Springs – The closest fishery to the cottage, around 30 minutes walk or 10 minutes drive. Meon Springs is one of the prettiest places you will ever fish and it is good for both the beginner and the more experienced angler. A day fishing will cost from £25, which will allow you to keep two fish.

Morehen Farm – Nearby on the A32, west of West Meon and around 15 mins drive away. This is another good and well-run fishery. However, due to the fact that the cost is around the same and the location less impressive, I personally give Meon Springs the nod over Morehen Farm.

Avington – One of the most famous trout fisheries in Hampshire and the UK. Avington is a big-fish water, with additional catch and release fishing on tributaries of the River Itchen. A two-fish ticket here is from £40 but you have a good chance of double-figure rainbow trout.

Dever Springs – If it’s big ‘trophy fish’ you are after, then make your way to Dever Springs, around an hour away. This fishery breeds large rainbow trout and produced the current British record rainbow trout.

Course Fishing

I don’t do a great deal of course fishing but there is availability at a couple of small waters near the cottage, which are run by the PDAC, which has the snappy URL of www.petersfieldanddistrictanglingclub.co.uk They also control the fishing rights on the large lake at Petersfield Heath.

There is also a small course fishery located on a farm in Stroud, 10 minutes away on the A272 towards Petersfield.

Sea Fishing

Sea fishing is my other fishing passion. I will be happy to point you in the direction of local marks or to guide you on a trip to the coast. Saltwater fly fishing is a growing area of the sport and I can take you fishing for bass and mackerel from the shore of the south coast. Other options are a potentially rewarding or frustrating day chasing the large mullet shoals of Chichester harbour, or beach casting (surfcasting) for Bass, flatfish, mackerel, which are all options from the nearby coast. There are few things more relaxing than taking a BBQ to the beach on a summer evening, catching a few mackerel and cooking them within a minute later. Heaven.