Apart from the campsites in the New Forest there is much more to Hampshire. In fact it has very attractive countryside and is one of the most wooded counties in England.

At Basingstoke, mainly a town of corporate headquarters and glass buildings there is a new museum, Milestones, in which the Hampshire County Council Museum Service have recreated many old industrial buildings and shops which are fascinating for those who like reminiscing about bygone days. There are demonstrations and special events and as it is all indoors in a modern hanger like building it's an ideal place to visit in all weathers and seasons. It is signposted off the ring road to the west of the town centre.  

reconstructed street and old lorry	overhead view of museum	GWR Station entrance

Why not visit Winchester for its historic cathedral, and Southampton for shopping especially the new West Quay shopping centre.

Visit Flagship Portsmouth and the historic dockyard then stroll along the prom at Southsea watching the ferries, naval ships (only occasionally these days!) and yachts passing in and out of the harbour.

In Portsmouth the new Gunwharf Quays shopping and leisure complex, adjacent to the harbour entrance, is worth a visit if you like factory outlet shops, cafes, restaurants, cinema and bowling.

Note that there is no provision for parking tall vehicles at the official car park which is all underground (Well done the owners! We were sent to park in the side streets which isn't ideal from the security aspect). It is possible to walk from Old Portsmouth (about 1.5km).

Across the harbour entrance (by foot ferry) you can visit the Millenium promenade and Timespace sundial at Gosport.

North of the coast is the delightful Meon valley (along the A32), Romsey, Stockbridge and plenty of historic houses and beautiful gardens to visit. 

There are Caravan Club sites at Rooksbury Park in the Forest of Bere near Wickham, north of Fareham and at Morn Hill near Winchester.

A place to visit (not quite in Hampshire)
This museum is now closed and has relocated to the old market hall, Craven Arms near Ludlow Shropshire as Stella Mitchell's Land of Lost Content 
website www.lolc.org.uk

We visited this museum again in 2008 and it is well worth a visit!

There you will see an amazing collection of items bringing back memories of those days when everything seemed to be less than 2 shillings and six pence!
All the items have been personally collected or donated by the owner Stella Mitchell over the last 30 years.

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