We are members of The National Trust and have entrance cards (which we will leave
for you) allowing free access to all their sites in UK. These number over 300 historic
buildings and gardens and encompass 612,000 acres! Here is their web site: The
National Trust .
(This picture taken from The George pub) Fordingbridge is lovely old town and was
originally known as "Forde" and the "bridge" element of the name was not added until
the Avon was first spanned at this point. The Great Bridge, of seven arches, was
in existence in 1286 A.D. and possibly earlier. The Parish church is mainly Early
English and Early Decorated in style, but the tower is Perpendicular, and the chapel
on the north side dates from the early thirteenth century.
Salisbury - historic city eleven miles north and renowned for its ancient cathedral
and spire.
Rockbourne roman Villa - Just five minutes from the house! The recently modernised
displays show what life was like in Roman Britain, using artefacts and reconstructions.
Sections of the actual villa excavations remain, the result of nearly 20 years of
painstaking examination by the late Morley Hewitt. These include mosaics and a hypocaust
in a picturesque setting. Gift shop and picnic area. (The blokes dressed up are
sometimes there giving a display)
Stonehenge & Other Prehistoric Sites in Wiltshire - one of the most visited sites
in the U.K. Megalithic monument (2800 BC) consisting of 30 upright stones some 26
tonnes each! A World Heritage Site and ‘must see’. The NT cards will get you in
for free.
New Forest - gorseland and forest as far as the eye can see and only five minutes
away by car or even walk. Here you will see the New Forest ponies, sheep, cattle
and deer roaming free and taking no notice whatsoever as they wander through the
villages and roads. Wonderful walks, great pubs, fine food.
Longleat House and Park is well worth a visit, being only 45 minutes away. Have
fun in the Safari Park. Watch the monkeys, though, as they eat pieces of your car....funny
when it is someone else's car! The maze is the world's longest. I liked the butterfly
enclosure very much.
London - about an hour and a half by car (or train from Salisbury, Bournemouth
or Southampton, or express bus from closer still, Ringwood - Timetable).
Bournemouth - seaside capital of the south coast - (20 mins)
Poole - old harbour and potteries - (25 mins). Bouh Bournemouth and Poole have weekly
foirework displays in the Summer
Southampton - old walled city and historic port. Good shopping (West Quay) and interesting
modern marinas at Ocean Village and the quay.
Winchester - another ancient cathedral city (40 mins).
Bath - an absolute MUST and only one hour drive from here
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(This picture taken from The George pub) Fordingbridge is lovely old town and was
originally known as "Forde" and the "bridge" element of the name was not added until
the Avon was first spanned at this point. The Great Bridge, of seven arches, was
in existence in 1286 A.D. and possibly earlier. The Parish church is mainly Early
English and Early Decorated in style, but the tower is Perpendicular, and the chapel
on the north side dates from the early thirteenth century.
Rockbourne roman Villa -
Longleat House and Park is well worth a visit, being only 45 minutes away. Have
fun in the Safari Park. Watch the monkeys, though, as they eat pieces of your car....funny
when it is someone else's car! The maze is the world's longest. I liked the butterfly
enclosure very much.
