HAMPSHIRE

...although this will probably end up more about the New Forest than anywhere else in Hampshire.

There can be few other places in England where the ancient landscape has remained so unchanged. In 1079 when William The Conqueror named the area his ‘new hunting forest’, little could he imagine that nearly 1000 years later his ‘Nova Foresta’ would still retain its mystery and romance.

The ancient system established by William The Conqueror to protect and manage the woodlands and wilderness heaths is still in place today through the efforts of Verderers, Agisters and Commoners – literally the judges, stockmen and land users of the forest.

However.............

BEAULIEU

PORTSMOUTH

SAMMY MILLER MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM

BEAULIEU

Set in the heart of the New Forest, the Beaulieu Estate, home of the Montagu family, comprises Palace House, which began as the 14th-century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey, Bucklers Hard, and the renowned National Motor Museum

In 1204, King John gave permission to 30 Cistercian monks from France to build an abbey here - which is why it has a French name (Beaulieu being French for 'beautiful place')
The Abbey complex was used during World War II, as a secure place to train 'agents' to be dropped into occupied territory
Bucklers Hard was once the shipyard attached to the Beaulieu Estate, and now comprises a 'street' of cottages, where you can enter and see how the workers lived

The village of Beaulieu lays across the pond, which was formed by damming the River Beaulieu to feed the mills, from Palace House. 

Come springtime, the lawns and woods surrounding Palace House, are full of daffodils. Palace House is the family home of Lord Montagu. It began as a 14th.century gatehouse to the abbey. It was modified in the 1730s, and further extended in the 1870s -  hence it is a bit of a mish-mash of architectural styles, although not displeasing to look at.

The National Motor Museum is full of interesting exhibits, from the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons, and one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia in the world. It was set up by Lord Montagu in the 1950s.

PORTSMOUTH

Home of the Royal Naval Dockyards, the Mary Rose, and Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory - which is the oldest still commissioned naval ship in the world. My suggestion is to take a boat trip around the harbour. We did, and as we passed under the bow of HMS Arkroyal, you suddenly realise just how big an aircraft carrier is! Of course, Arkroyal is now decommissioned, and the new carrier. HMS Queen Elizabeth is even bigger

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is free to walk around, but you must pay to board any of the exhibits.

Portsmouth is also where you catch ferries to several places in France, Santander in Spain, and the Isle of Wight!

THE SAMMY MILLER MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM

Set around a lovely paved courtyard, there is so much more than just the extraordinary collection of motorcycles. Originally just a way of showing Sammy's own bikes, it has grown to over 200 machines, almost all are running, and they are maintained by Sammy himself, and a couple of mechanics.

There's a lovely cafe/restaurant, craft shops, a small farm with some adorable alpacas, and almost every weekend, Sammy hosts motorcycle groups, and will ride around the car park on something or the other at the drop of a hat, even though he is now in his late 80s