The time between Christmas and New Year is the perfect time to relax and make the most of your holiday in Hampshire. Here are some ideas to get you started on exploring the county.
Now that Christmas has come to a close, it’s time to start looking forward to New Year celebrations and the start of next year. Make the most of your holiday in Hampshire by getting out and exploring the county. Hampshire has loads of beautiful locations to visit and explore whilst on holiday. With the New Forest on your doorstep, you can get walking or cycling to get the adrenaline pumping before retreating back home for a tasty hot chocolate in front of the fire. If you’d rather stay in, use the self catering facilities of your cottage and have a go at some new recipes. Baking is a great way to keep kids occupied while you relax. There are very few things that can go wrong as most kids’ recipes are pretty easy to follow. Or grab a good book, settle into a cosy chair and get lost in the words and pages. Reading is the perfect way to get away from it all.
Take the time to relax whilst enjoying the beauty of Hampshire with your family. Christmas and New Year is the perfect time to chill before getting back to work and school in January. Here are some ideas to get you making the most of your time in Hampshire before you head home to start on what next year brings.
Long walks in the New Forest
When it comes to walking, the New Forest is an idyllic location for a wander in the woods. There are plenty of paths to explore to blow away those cobwebs in preparation for next year. Don’t forget your camera so that you can capture your memories to look back on throughout the year. For those looking for an adrenaline rush, why not bring a mountain bike and attempt some of the cycling routes? As long as you’ve got a helmet and maybe some gloves, you’ll have a great time racing along the tracks.
Deer spot at Bolderwood
Situated in the New Forest, Bolderwood has a deer sanctuary where a herd of fallow deer live. Although sightings of deer can often be difficult in the New Forest, there is a viewing platform and the deer have set feeding times so on a lucky day there’s a good chance you’ll spot a few. There is also a picnic area here and plenty of walks through the forest. Bolderwood is a popular place to visit in the summer and makes the perfect day out in the winter too. Keep count of how many different animals you spot on your visit and have a competition between the kids of who can find the most.
Explore Winchester Cathedral
A historical spot to while away an afternoon in Hampshire. Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, filled with stories to discover and plenty to look at. A trip here at Christmas is a great way to keep up your festive spirits and remind little ones what Christmas is really about. Admire the beautiful stained glass windows before heading off to a nearby coffee shop to enjoy a cup of tea and a quick look around the shops.
Visit the pantomime
Take part in some classic Christmas revelry by booking tickets to the pantomime. It’s a great way to spend an evening out with all the family. There are plenty of performances to choose from but the Theatre Royal in Winchester have a wonderful show every year, filled with panto magic. You’ll be booing and hissing at the evil villain before you know it (oh no you won’t).
Organise your year
While you have some time to yourself, why not sit down with the school holiday dates and start making plans for the New Year? Once you’ve decided on where you want to visit, you can look at holiday cottages you might like to stay in. A lot of our cottages get booked up really quickly so making plans will mean that you can get your booking in first. Securing your dream holiday will give you something to look forward to, a great way to avoid those January blues.
Explore our incredible choice of properties in the South West. Why not look for somewhere different to stay next time? We also have cottages in Dorset and Somerset.
