Holiday Homes and Cottages Hampshire
With a coastline that naturally provides safe anchorage and excellent commercial, recreational and defence potential, the sea has played an important role in the history of Hampshire since the Romans first invaded Britain and built a series of forts overlooking the waters of the Solent. While Portsmouth remains home to the Royal Navy and Southampton has been a military embarkation port since the 18th century, holiday homes in Hampshire are often chosen by those whose interest in the region lies solely in its extraordinarily rich maritime heritage. With so many ancient sites to visit and such fabulous contemporary shopping, dining and entertainment facilities in both Portsmouth and Southampton, holiday homes and apartments in Gosport, Havant or Fareham will put you in the ideal situation to experience a part of the county where an atmosphere of cosmopolitan vibrancy mingles with the deep sense of history and legend that makes this sea-faring corner of Hampshire so fascinating and unique.
But when there is so much more to this county than bustling naval ports, prestigious marina developments and popular coastal resorts, by heading inland a few miles to any rural town or village you'll find that a wonderful selection of traditional English cottage rentals in Hampshire will present an opportunity to discover an entirely different aspect of the region's diverse personality. Found nestling amongst one of the most famously historic and truly outstanding areas of scenic beauty in southern England, holiday cottages in the New Forest are the perfect way to experience the incredible natural and cultural diversity of Hampshire, and while this vast woodland landscape was made a 'royal' forest by William Conqueror in the 11th century, it wasn't until the 20th century that it was proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the 21st century that it was given National Park status. However, you'll have to get out of bed for early breakfasts every day if you want to explore the rich variety of natural environments that make up the New Forest, not to mention the assortment of towns and villages scattered throughout it, as it extends all the way from the southern coast to the northern and western county boundaries and beyond, covering virtually the whole of western Hampshire.
Holiday homes in Petersfield will, on the other hand, give you the chance to investigate the contrasting countryside in east of the region where the rural landscapes are dominated by the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs, the highest point of which lies just south of the town. Spend a day in Winchester and a magnificent 11th century cathedral and the remains of a castle that was built at the time of the Norman Conquest demonstrate perfectly that ancient history isn't confined to the coastal ports of Hampshire. Holiday homes further north in the region will show even greater versatility by putting you in the ideal location to not only visit towns like Basingstoke and Andover but also those that exist in the neighbouring counties of Surrey, Wiltshire and Berkshire. So all-in-all, you might find that just one holiday at a cottage or apartment in Hampshire simply won't be enough to cram in all there is to see and do in this exciting county!