Photogenic Landscapes and Historic Sites in Hampshire

The Channel coast of Hampshire includes some small scenic sections, such as around Barton-on-Sea in the west, though most is not so interesting, and/or developed, consisting largely of long beaches backed by dunes, fields or marshy areas. Inland, Hampshire contains nearly all of New Forest National Park, about a third of South Downs National Park, and a small part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but, like most of the southern English counties, there are no especially wild or rugged areas. The southern half is low lying land, a mix of woods and grassland upon clayish soils, while the northern reaches are higher, underlain by chalk. There are many natures reserves; Ashford Hangers is one of the best.

The county town, Winchester, contains one of the finest, and largest cathedrals in Europe, next to the ruins of an ancient fortified palace (Wolvesey Castle), used by the bishops. The other most extensive religious ruined buildings are Bishop's Waltham Palace, Netley Abbey and Titchfield Abbey, while the best of around ten castles with at least some visible remains are Hurst, Odiham and Portchester. Hampshire has one renowned Roman site, the walled city of Silchester, but no major Prehistoric remnants.