Fareham

There are so many places of historic and natural interest in and around Fareham that you will be spoilt for choice, whatever kind of holiday you are after.

If you are a history buff take a walk around Fareham’s old town for a fascinating trip back in time. Along with the thatched cottages and timber framed houses look out for properties made with the town’s famous ‘Fareham Red’ bricks, which were highly prized during Victorian times and used to build many famous buildings including the Royal Albert Hall in London. There are several historic buildings in the local area, including the remains of Portchester Castle, the impressive Titchfield Abbey (which hosts open-air productions in the summer months) and further medieval buildings in Titchfield Village itself. Another popular local attraction is the Fort Nelson Armouries Museum, which is sited in a 19th century fort and packed with artefacts that tell the tale of Britain’s fighting past.

For the nature lovers, there’s the Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, which is made up of lakes, woodland and meadows to provide a home for many different kinds of bird. The Holly Hill Woodland Park is a lovely place for a walk through the trees or around the lakes on the purpose-built path. And when the sun’s out, head down to the extensive beach at Hill Head (which is sandy when the tide’s out) where you can swim, sail and surf while enjoying great views across to the Isle of Wight. Bringing things back to modern-day, there is a sizeable shopping centre in the middle of Fareham and a ‘destination’ shopping centre at Whiteley, which has 65 stores, an abundance of restaurants and a nine-screen cinema.