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Things To Do In Historical Hampshire, England
Winchester The two largest cities in Hampshire are the port cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, but a destination with an even stronger connection to the history of England is the ancient cathedral city of Winchester, centrally located in the South Downs. Winchester has its origins in pre-historic times and grew into one of the most important cities in England under the Roman occupation. Around the year 686, Winchester became the capital of the kingdom of Wessex, and the street plan was laid out by Alfred the Great. The most spectacular attraction in Winchester is the famous cathedral, which was first constructed in 1079 and then added to over the centuries, becoming the longest cathedral in Europe. Many famous people are buried here, including Jane Austen, King Canute and William Rufus. The cathedral close contains the earliest hammer-beamed building still standing in England, thought to have been built around 1308 as a hostel for pilgrims. The cathedral also served as the setting for Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire novels. The Great Hall of Winchester Castle, built in the reign of Henry III, contains a 13th century round table with the names of King Arthur's knights inscribed around its edges. Hampshire has a strong connection to the Arthurian legend; some Arthurian scholars believe that the decisive battle of Badon Hill between the Britons and invading Saxons took place in Hampshire. New Forest Two national parks are located in Hampshire. New Forest National Park lies to the south-west of Winchester. The New Forest has been settled since ancient times, and there are around 150 sites of archaeological importance within its boundaries. William the Conqueror designated the New Forest as a royal hunting preserve in 1079, and two of his sons died in the New Forest, including William Rufus. There are miles of hiking and biking trails, and bike hire is available. It is easy to find hotels, cottage rentals or a caravan site in the New Forest area. You might want to find a hotel with a spa on site to pamper your tired muscles at the end of a day's exploration. There is a wide selection of comfortable hotel spas in Hampshire ready to cater to the tired sightseer. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com John is a travel writer from the UK - he wrote this article on behalf of Tylney Hall hotels in Hampshire - home to one of the finest restaurants in Basingstoke. Find out more things to do in Hampshire |
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