Portsmouth & The South Downs - Looking For Ideas!
Discussion
I'm taking my Mum (80 this year) down to see HMS Victory early next month. Travelling from the Kent/East Sussex border.
Booked a couple of nights in Fareham.
What I was looking for, was any ideas of nice things to see around the area - I've been Googling for some, but always like to ask on here for 'real' examples. Interests would be historical buildings, churches....but avoiding too much walking due to mobility issues (not mine!)
Driving back, I was wondering if there was a nice route through the South Downs? Never been, so had it down as an idea for a nice scenic drive.
Naturally, any other nice drives near Victory would also go down a treat!
Any thoughts?
Booked a couple of nights in Fareham.
What I was looking for, was any ideas of nice things to see around the area - I've been Googling for some, but always like to ask on here for 'real' examples. Interests would be historical buildings, churches....but avoiding too much walking due to mobility issues (not mine!)
Driving back, I was wondering if there was a nice route through the South Downs? Never been, so had it down as an idea for a nice scenic drive.
Naturally, any other nice drives near Victory would also go down a treat!
Any thoughts?
redguy said:
I'm taking my Mum (80 this year) down to see HMS Victory early next month. Travelling from the Kent/East Sussex border.
Booked a couple of nights in Fareham.
What I was looking for, was any ideas of nice things to see around the area - I've been Googling for some, but always like to ask on here for 'real' examples. Interests would be historical buildings, churches....but avoiding too much walking due to mobility issues (not mine!)
Driving back, I was wondering if there was a nice route through the South Downs? Never been, so had it down as an idea for a nice scenic drive.
Naturally, any other nice drives near Victory would also go down a treat!
Any thoughts?
I’m not sure I’d have chosen Fareham to stay!Booked a couple of nights in Fareham.
What I was looking for, was any ideas of nice things to see around the area - I've been Googling for some, but always like to ask on here for 'real' examples. Interests would be historical buildings, churches....but avoiding too much walking due to mobility issues (not mine!)
Driving back, I was wondering if there was a nice route through the South Downs? Never been, so had it down as an idea for a nice scenic drive.
Naturally, any other nice drives near Victory would also go down a treat!
Any thoughts?
Not sure about routes but Alresford, West Meon are nice.
You aren’t too far from Winchester or Chichester for cathedrals etc and both are quite compact towns
Some of the historic forts on the top of Portsdown are worth a visit, especially the Armouries Museum ( free entry, great view, and a civilised cafe. From Victory, get the water taxi to the other side at Priddy’s Hard, the Explosion Museum is very interesting, along with the historical buildings it’s set in, again, there’s a civilised cafe with waterfront seating,views etc. Also wishing a 5 minute walk, there is the new Powder Monkey brewery ( built in the oldest magazine building, 7 ft thick brick walls etc). Powder Monkey also have the Taphouse in the museum complex, and own the Bar and Baker a 5 min walk across the millennium bridge. This is set in the Royal Clarence Yard, which has the old Naval baking ovens in the back wall, and the yard was the centre of the Naval victualling, so plenty of very old, and very interesting historical buildings. Good luck, it’s a great area steeped in history. Oh, and this side, and the millennium bridge, is probably as close as you can get to the carriers without actually being in the Naval base.
Edited by normalbloke on Wednesday 2nd February 18:28
Fab advice, many thanks!
I'll get all of this down, and formulate plans using the info. Exactly what I needed.
Got a nice (I hope) hotel in Fareham - it's got it's own parking, which is always a must. It's just a base for a couple of nights, I don't intend to go exploring the town - after a days' sightseeing and piloting, all I want is a good dinner and a bar!
I'll get all of this down, and formulate plans using the info. Exactly what I needed.
Got a nice (I hope) hotel in Fareham - it's got it's own parking, which is always a must. It's just a base for a couple of nights, I don't intend to go exploring the town - after a days' sightseeing and piloting, all I want is a good dinner and a bar!
redguy said:
craig1912 said:
Which hotel?
The Red Lion - a Green King one. Stayed in a GK in Ringwood last year, found it quite adequate! normalbloke said:
You’re at the correct end of town! The precinct and further west is pretty average. My friend owns Antonio’s just a few doors to your west. Good fish,tapas etc and a good selection of drinks. High Street has a good few restaurants too,all within a 2 minute walk.
I'm glad you said that - I was panicking about your response, LOL! Always funny going to a different town/area that we have no knowledge of, isn't it....always a gamble. I've never been before, so I just looked at reviews and made sure they had their own parking! redguy said:
I'm glad you said that - I was panicking about your response, LOL! Always funny going to a different town/area that we have no knowledge of, isn't it....always a gamble. I've never been before, so I just looked at reviews and made sure they had their own parking!
As normalbloke says, the best end of town and one or two nice places to eat, if you don’t eat in the hotel. Don't think old Portsmouth has been mentioned , it's interesting , historic and a great place to sit on a bench overlooking the solent taking in all that it offers.
It has plenty of parking on the roads .And if you have any energy left Gun whalf has plenty of restaurants pubs and set next to the dockyard .
Drive 10mins along the front to eastney and check out the old Royal Marine barracks the grand buildings are now luxury accommodation. There is so much to see and do in that part of the world, sure you and your mum will enjoy it .
It has plenty of parking on the roads .And if you have any energy left Gun whalf has plenty of restaurants pubs and set next to the dockyard .
Drive 10mins along the front to eastney and check out the old Royal Marine barracks the grand buildings are now luxury accommodation. There is so much to see and do in that part of the world, sure you and your mum will enjoy it .
I live just west of Fareham and never visit the town, it’s just not that nice I’m afraid. But….there plenty of nice places around. Around portsmouth you’ve got the old town which is nice. The Canteen built into the wall is good with views of the harbour entrance, or the Still and West if you can’t get a decent table at the fore mentioned. Southsea is popular with plenty of beachfront parking, Southsea Beach Cafe is good for breakfast. The Briny, bit pricey but good grub again by the sea. Hovercraft ride over to the Isle of Wight?
West of Fareham you’ve got Hamble. Plenty of pubs there. Also Lee on the Solent which is our Bexhill. Alverstoke with Pebbles wine bar. East of Fareham is Portchester, old castle ruins and Salt Cafe which does a good coffee (service is lousy but I let it slide). Out to the north is Exton with the Shoe Inn, lovely pub with the Meon flowing through the garden. Nice ish drive up there.
West of Fareham you’ve got Hamble. Plenty of pubs there. Also Lee on the Solent which is our Bexhill. Alverstoke with Pebbles wine bar. East of Fareham is Portchester, old castle ruins and Salt Cafe which does a good coffee (service is lousy but I let it slide). Out to the north is Exton with the Shoe Inn, lovely pub with the Meon flowing through the garden. Nice ish drive up there.
Plenty of old buildings at the Weald and Downland Museum. Is she a fan of The Repair Shop?
https://www.wealddown.co.uk
https://www.wealddown.co.uk
djc206 said:
I live just west of Fareham and never visit the town, it’s just not that nice I’m afraid. But….there plenty of nice places around. Around portsmouth you’ve got the old town which is nice. The Canteen built into the wall is good with views of the harbour entrance, or the Still and West if you can’t get a decent table at the fore mentioned. Southsea is popular with plenty of beachfront parking, Southsea Beach Cafe is good for breakfast. The Briny, bit pricey but good grub again by the sea. Hovercraft ride over to the Isle of Wight?
West of Fareham you’ve got Hamble. Plenty of pubs there. Also Lee on the Solent which is our Bexhill. Alverstoke with Pebbles wine bar. East of Fareham is Portchester, old castle ruins and Salt Cafe which does a good coffee (service is lousy but I let it slide). Out to the north is Exton with the Shoe Inn, lovely pub with the Meon flowing through the garden. Nice ish drive up there.
Fareham really isn’t that bad compared to places like Portsmouth City Centre (coming from someone who lives in Southsea). I go to Fareham once a month to meet friends for food and drink, the town is clean, safe and relatively quiet. A bit soulless and less independent retailers than we have in Southsea but by no means bad. West of Fareham you’ve got Hamble. Plenty of pubs there. Also Lee on the Solent which is our Bexhill. Alverstoke with Pebbles wine bar. East of Fareham is Portchester, old castle ruins and Salt Cafe which does a good coffee (service is lousy but I let it slide). Out to the north is Exton with the Shoe Inn, lovely pub with the Meon flowing through the garden. Nice ish drive up there.
If you like to grab a good bottle of wine Fareham wine cellar on the high street is very well stocked just check opening times.
Echo everything about Southsea and salt cafe service is shocking but food is good so glad it’s not just me.
redguy said:
craig1912 said:
Which hotel?
The Red Lion - a Green King one. Stayed in a GK in Ringwood last year, found it quite adequate! - edit* - Sorry posters above, when I skim read on my phone I didn't see references to the Salt Cafe/Portchester Castle.
As you're going to the dockyard, did you know that Portsmouth and more specifically the dockyard is the home of the industrial revolution? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_Block_Mil...
And as you're going to see a warship, I'd recommend the Royal Navy Submarine museum in Gosport, seeing HMS Alliance in her splendor is amazing! - https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/site-attraction...
I'd consider Portchester Castle which is one of the best condition Roman Forts and is only a few miles away: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/p...
Locals love the Salt Cafe for breakfast/dinner - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1...
Titchfield Abbey (is in Fareham) - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/t... and if you go there is a pub that does lovely food very close - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1...
Mick's Monster Burgers is a fast van at the top of the hill (local fast food favourite), if you want a picture opportunity of the entirety of Portsmouth this place is worth visiting. I'm not necessarily recommending you buy from Mick's but it's in a public car park and you can put the address in your sat-nav with some (few) seating in the field in front of it and you can see all of Portsmouth from here (it's a few miles from Fareham) - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1...
In the same location behind is Portsmouth forts - https://royalarmouries.org/venue/fort-nelson/ - They are worth a quick visit, free and have a cafe inside, they were built to protect Portsmouth from a ground invasion.
You could also sign up for Royal Navy warship movements if you wanted to watch a warship coming in or out of the dockyard:
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/shippi...
https://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/things-to-do/rou... - Good views here
And finally a bit off the wall - https://solentforts.com/
There's loads to do really and if you can let us know what sort of things your mum may want to do, we can probably make a lot more recommendations!
Edited by Scobblelotcher on Thursday 3rd February 08:43
P.S. if you’re planning on doing any of the museums other than ‘just’ the dockyard, look out for the all you can eat ticket. It covers entry into all the Navy museums around here(Explosion,Submarine etc and the water taxi across the harbour) for a year. Probably worth buying online before you travel ( if it’s your thing) as decent discounts can be had. Good luck.
normalbloke said:
P.S. if you’re planning on doing any of the museums other than ‘just’ the dockyard, look out for the all you can eat ticket. It covers entry into all the Navy museums around here(Explosion,Submarine etc and the water taxi across the harbour) for a year. Probably worth buying online before you travel ( if it’s your thing) as decent discounts can be had. Good luck.
Yes this is the best way to do it. It’s a years access (although you might not use that) but you gain the water tour/taxi, the other museums and in particular the Mary Rose has just had a big upgrade for visitors. Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff