Winchester-based Experience Hampshire are on a mission to empower those coming to stay in the New Forest to experience as much of this amazing county as they possibly can.
Their team spend their time searching for unusual activities, tours, experiences and workshops which both showcase the area and perfectly complement your stay in the New Forest.
The team at Experience Hampshire have put together a list of a few of their favourite activities, all within an easy drive of your holiday cottage (but they have 200+ experiences on their website!)
Alternatively, they can bring the experiences to your doorstep – most recently arranging for a magician to visit a New Forest holiday cottage to teach the family staying some tricks!
For expert local advice from their friendly consultants, email hello@experiencehampshire.uk or visit their website at www.experiencehampshire.uk.
Yacht charter on the Solent…
Indulge in the gentle waves of the Solent as you enjoy a shared chartered yacht experience. Whether you want to kick back and relax or enjoy sailing and fancy ‘learning the ropes’, this is the experience for you. You’ll set off from Lymington Yacht Haven with a glass of bubbly in hand to enjoy either a sail and lunch or sail and supper excursion (freshly prepared two-course meal on board).
Twilight cruise on the Beaulieu River…
This 2 hour cruise from Buckler’s Hard gives the opportunity to see some of the amazing wildlife on this beautiful waterway, with expert advice from their onboard expert. You could hope to see both common and grey seals, deer, an array of birds including (if you are lucky) a white tailed eagle.
Foraging Workshop…
Under the expert guidance of their experienced and charismatic forager, you can learn how to identify a host of edible plants and fungi in the woodland, fields and hedgerows. Be inspired on how to sustainably source free and natural ingredients to use in your home cooking, Click here for more details and to browse Experience Hampshire.
Vineyard tour & wine tasting…
Visit one of Hampshire’ thriving vineyards (we have nearly 20 in the county now) and enjoy a guided walk through the vineyards to understand a little more about local vine production. This is followed by the opportunity to taste some of the wine and maybe even purchase a bottle or two to enjoy at home!
A walking tour of the medieval vaults of Southampton…
This popular 2 hour guided tours runs twice a week from the Bargate in the early evening. It’s an opportunity to discover some of the fascinating history of the city and how it came to be home to over 50 of these wine vaults which are seldom open to the public. Click here for more details.
A forest bathing workshop…
Leave your mobile phone at home and escape to enjoy a relaxing session of Forest Bathing deep in the Hampshire countryside. Guided by their tutor, you’ll spend time lying on the ground, engaging with the earth beneath you and staring in to the tree canopy above.
Microlighting adventure…
Take to the skies in a 2 seater microlight to soar high above the New Forest countryside. The experienced pilot will fully brief you prior to your flight and then be your guide as you enjoy a bird’s eye view over this beautiful county. No experience is required. Click here for more details or to book.
Wood fired sauna and cold water swimming…
Inspire both your mind and body with the chance to step from a wood fired sauna directly into either the sea, or a river-fed Hampshire lake. There is much written about the benefits of cold water swimming and now’s the opportunity to discover why. Click here for more information on Solent Sauna on the Sea.
Walk an alpaca…
Get up close and meet a small herd of Alpacas. The experience includes an introduction to these wonderful creatures, feeding/ general tasks and halter training. You even get the opportunity to take one for a walk around the inclosure. Click here for more details.
Feed the penguins at Hampshire bird sanctuary…
An opportunity for up to 2 people to join the keepers on either Penguin Beach or Penguin Island to learn about, and feed the colony of penguins. Click here for more details.
A private pottery workshop…
Under the watchful eye of their pottery tutor you will learn the basics before turning your own pots on a wheel. By the end of the experience, you will have created 2 unique pots which are left to be fired and painted (to your chosen colour scheme), ready to be collected at a later date. Click here for more details.
