Hampshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Sporting Activities in Hampshire
With its coastal location and perfect mix of cities with rural areas and the wonderful New Forest, Hampshire is the ideal location to get active and try a range of sporting activities.
Get out on the water!
Hampshire is most famous for its sailing heritage. Sailing courses and taster days are available in many locations along the coast, from the beautiful market town of Lymington to the bustling naval port of Portsmouth. If you`re already an expert, then the annual Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight offers world class sailing races and the opportunity to relax after all that hard work with the post-race parties and social scene. The annual Southampton Boat Show on 10-16th September 2010 also offers the chance to get out on the water, try a dive beneath the waves or just peruse all the latest boating equipment.
Hampshire also represents one of the country`s best windsurfing and kitesurfing regions. Sheltered by the Isle of Wight, the waters off the Hampshire coast are suitable for beginners, as well as the more advanced. Try your hand at activity centres dotted along the coastline, from Calshot to Hayling Island.
Cricket
The Rose Bowl is the home of the Hampshire Cricket Club and has capacity for 20,000 people. Either enjoy a match or improve your own skills with one-to-one professional cricket coaching that is available there.
The New Forest
Enjoy the sights, sounds and tranquillity of the King`s old hunting ground! The New Forest is a great location for walking, running or biking. You can hire bikes from several villages in the New Forest, including Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst. Most hire shops will provide you with route maps but many are also available online.
If you prefer your own two feet, then nowhere is better to take a stroll or something a little faster. The annual New Forest Marathon and Half Marathon both take place in September each year and attract several hundred runners, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
Indoor fun
When the weather changes there are plenty of indoor options to try out. Perfect your skills on the slopes at one of the indoor ski slopes at either Aldershot or Calshot. For other snow bunnies, try out one of the local ice rinks. Rinks are currently available in Gosport and Basingstoke, but there are plans to build a new ice rink in Southampton.
For those who want to reach new heights, try out one of the indoor climbing walls. Lessons and full safety equipment are available at various locations throughout the county.
Getting there
Hampshire is easily accessible by plane, train, bus or car from any major city. Fly direct to Southampton Airport or perhaps organise cheap car rental Heathrow and other airports have plenty of options.
Get out on the water!
Hampshire is most famous for its sailing heritage. Sailing courses and taster days are available in many locations along the coast, from the beautiful market town of Lymington to the bustling naval port of Portsmouth. If you`re already an expert, then the annual Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight offers world class sailing races and the opportunity to relax after all that hard work with the post-race parties and social scene. The annual Southampton Boat Show on 10-16th September 2010 also offers the chance to get out on the water, try a dive beneath the waves or just peruse all the latest boating equipment.
Hampshire also represents one of the country`s best windsurfing and kitesurfing regions. Sheltered by the Isle of Wight, the waters off the Hampshire coast are suitable for beginners, as well as the more advanced. Try your hand at activity centres dotted along the coastline, from Calshot to Hayling Island.
Cricket
The Rose Bowl is the home of the Hampshire Cricket Club and has capacity for 20,000 people. Either enjoy a match or improve your own skills with one-to-one professional cricket coaching that is available there.
The New Forest
Enjoy the sights, sounds and tranquillity of the King`s old hunting ground! The New Forest is a great location for walking, running or biking. You can hire bikes from several villages in the New Forest, including Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst. Most hire shops will provide you with route maps but many are also available online.
If you prefer your own two feet, then nowhere is better to take a stroll or something a little faster. The annual New Forest Marathon and Half Marathon both take place in September each year and attract several hundred runners, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
Indoor fun
When the weather changes there are plenty of indoor options to try out. Perfect your skills on the slopes at one of the indoor ski slopes at either Aldershot or Calshot. For other snow bunnies, try out one of the local ice rinks. Rinks are currently available in Gosport and Basingstoke, but there are plans to build a new ice rink in Southampton.
For those who want to reach new heights, try out one of the indoor climbing walls. Lessons and full safety equipment are available at various locations throughout the county.
Getting there
Hampshire is easily accessible by plane, train, bus or car from any major city. Fly direct to Southampton Airport or perhaps organise cheap car rental Heathrow and other airports have plenty of options.