Hampshire Car Hire

Guide of Hampshire

Geography

Hampshire, a county in South East England, is located on the coast of the English Channel and has borders with Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, and West Sussex to the west, north, and east respectively. Winchester is the county seat, and Southampton and Portsmouth, its two main cities, are run independently as unitary authorities, while the rest of the county is overseen by the Hampshire County Council and non-metropolitan district councils.

Climate in Hampshire

A temperate maritime climate prevails throughout the county, with summers that are milder than hot and winters that are chilly to cold. July is the hottest month while January is the coldest. Generally speaking, precipitation is spread out equally throughout the year, with December being the wettest month and July being the driest. Like the rest of the United Kingdom, the weather here is very variable, and a single day may include as many as four distinct seasons. In order to properly prepare for the weather in Hampshire, tourists are advised to check the forecast before travelling.

Culture

Hampshire was formerly a part of a larger Celtic kingdom named Gwent (not to be confused with the Welsh county) or Y Went, which also included present-day Somerset and Wiltshire. Hampshire was an early casualty of the Roman conquest of Britain.

Things To Do in Hampshire

Stroll around Winchester, England’s old capital

During the roughly two thousand years that the Romans occupied England, Winchester was the country's capital. Beautiful and tight, Winchester packs an impressive number of historic landmarks into a very small space. Winchester's cathedral is the city's crowning achievement; it's widely regarded as a prime example of Gothic architecture in the United Kingdom. Author Jane Austen was buried here at the cathedral after her death in the neighbourhood in 1817. Take a stroll along the main street to see some of the oldest pubs in the nation as well as unique businesses. Explore the rich history of individual regiments at the Military Museums at the well-known Peninsula Barracks.

Explore Southampton, home of the HMS Titanic

Southampton, the bigger harbour city just south of Winchester, is where the Titanic set sail. The war destroyed a large portion of the historic district, resulting in a thoroughly contemporary downtown area. Enjoy a stroll through the lush green gardens and a soccer match at St. Mary's Stadium to learn about the city's fierce rivalry with Portsmouth F.C. Also, the New Forest National Park, founded by William the Conqueror in 1079, has its entrance near Southampton. The winding roads through the forest and the overnight stay in a castle-turned-hotel make for a memorable vacation. Relax with some fish and chips in the woods at a historic tavern.

Visit Portsmouth, the birthplace of Charles Dickens

Most visitors go to Portsmouth, which is home to the Royal Naval Museum in the historic dockyard. The Mary Rose, Monarch Henry VIII's pride and joy, perished just outside the harbour in full view of the king and his court; the HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship; and the Warrior, a historic warship, are all moored nearby. You may also visit the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum, the ideal spot to begin learning and appreciating one of England's most renowned and well-loved authors. If you’ve got the time, visit the spectacular South Downs National Park for scenic vistas of the ocean and rolling green hills.

Eating Out in Hampshire

One of Hampshire's finest eateries is Porter's Wine & Charcuterie. Located on Queen's Terrace in Southampton, Porters takes its name from the ancient 'Porters Meadow' that formerly stood on the site. Porters, discreetly located off Oxford Street, is a great spot to relax with friends over food and drink. They serve only the finest meats and cheeses from the United Kingdom to pair with the wines they've carefully curated. Located in the heart of Romsey, Hampshire's market district, Cork and Bean is an independently run wine and coffee bar that serves food and drink made using ingredients from the surrounding area. The front patio of the pub is a great area to people-watch, with umbrellas for shade on hot days and blankets and hot water bottles for comfort on cooler days. Black Rat Restaurant, formerly a bar, is now a charming and eccentric eatery on Chesil Street. About a year after they first opened their doors, a Michelin Star was awarded to the crew. They have our own forager who brings in the freshest and most seasonally appropriate items from the finest local vendors we can find. The decor is comfortable and homey, and the service is kind and unpretentious.

Transport

Airport

Get a flight to Southampton Airport (SOU) and use the local trains to get about. It's around 100 km (60 miles) southwest from downtown London to Winchester.

Getting Around Hampshire

Stagecoach, First Group, and Blue Star run most of the bus routes in Hampshire. The rail service in Hampshire is run by South Western Railway, which starts in Bournemouth and Poole, Dorset, and ends at London Waterloo; and Great Western Railway, which runs trains every hour between Southampton, Fareham, and Portsmouth in the county of Hampshire. You can alternatively take a direct train to Hampshire from South Wales, Bristol, Bath, and Salisbury. Bikes and ferries are also options. Most visitors usually hire cars because Hampshire has some of the best roads in the country. The M3 connects Winchester to London, and the M27/A27 connects Southampton to Sussex.