The countryside of Hampshire is one of its best assets and over the years a number of architects have used this landscape to create some impressive parks and gardens. These put on display some beautiful scenery and a few of the county’s historic monuments, with the following being some to visit.
Staunton Country Park
This destination provides a few experiences to enjoy. Visitors can take a stroll through the landscaped country park, which extends to 1,000 acres in size and includes a number of monuments. The Beacon is a small temple constructed in 1830, while the Chinese Bridge, which was constructed a year later, is a picturesque three-arched bridge. The other attractions at the park include Victorian glasshouses, flower gardens and an ornamental farm.
Portchester Castle
This medieval castle is located within the walls of a Roman fort dating back to the third century and it is a formidable sight on the shoreline of Portsmouth Harbour. An exhibition in the keep provides details of the building’s history and also showcases many of the finds discovered in and around the site. A walk around the landscaped grounds gives visitors a great view of the Roman walls.
Tylney Hall Hotel
This Grade II building has stood in place since the late 1800s and is a fine example of an English mansion house. The 66 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland around Tylney Hall Hotel are just as impressive. This greenery includes a rose, azalea, and water garden for visitors to enjoy. The parkland is set out with a lake and woodlands, and the huge redwood trees in this frame a picture-perfect view of the hall. Visitors to the hotel are free to enjoy one of the best private parks in Hampshire.
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
This attraction offers some fantastic displays of flowers and plants. A number of different areas are set out in 180 acres of land and some of these include Brentry Woodland, Hydrangea Walk, Magnolia Avenue, and the Gurkha Memorial Garden. Each area is planted with a variety of flowers, shrubs and trees to provide some lovely scenery for those walking through them.
Bursledon Windmill
This historic landmark in the Hampshire countryside was originally constructed in the early 1800s and has been restored to working order to give visitors a view of a working flour mill. The village landscape around the windmill includes a picnic area that allows anyone to enjoy a view of the turning sails as they enjoy an outdoor meal.
Hampshire is a beautiful county and its parks, gardens and monuments are some of its top attractions. Residents and visitors should take the opportunity to view some of these, with the locations shown above being some of the best to take in.
Image credit: Charles DP Miller
