5 of the prettiest Hampshire villages you can visit for a day out in the county

Hampshire is a gorgeous county that has an abundance of pretty villages to explore for a day out.
Many of these have beautiful scenery, amazing cultural experiences and historical points of interest to take in.
Some may even have the benefit of a beach or woodland to explore, alongside some amazing food and drink options.
With the overwhelming amount of choice, it might be tough to pin down what the prettiest village in Hampshire is.
Here are just five examples of some gorgeous Hampshire villages you can visit for a day out in the county.
If you're looking for chocolate-box pretty, then Beaulieu definitely lives up to the hype.
Nestled in the heart of the New Forest, you can explore characterful streets as well as the nearby motor museum.
The New Forest website adds: "Visitors can explore the scenic landscapes across Millpond, at Beaulieu River and in the surrounding forest, discover the village's heritage, and enjoy attractions and outdoor activities, all while soaking in the timeless charm of this quintessential New Forest gem.
"Whether it's enjoying a riverside picnic, exploring the charming High Street or visiting the incredible motor museum, the village of Beaulieu provides a great day out."
On the outskirts of the Southampton suburbs, you can find Hamble which is said to boast "stunning views, period cottages, pretty walks and thriving wildlife".
Visit Hampshire adds: "During the summer months you will find the village bustling with people enjoying the fine selection of local pubs and restaurants.
"For a small village, there is a great selection of eateries which specialise in locally produced food, ale and specialist rum."
It is also a "a yachting Mecca" drawing people in from all around the country for races and events.
Another New Forest favourite is Brockenhurst is a "bustling village" that is a great base to explore the surrounding area.
There are numerous walking and cycle paths to try out and "excellent local amenities" with its pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Visit Hampshire adds: "Here you will find ponies and donkeys roaming free in an old world setting full of charm."
Wherwell is said to be "one of the most picturesque villages in the Test Valley", according to the Hampshire County Council website.
It boasts some fine black-and-white thatched cottages, and it is situated on the banks of the River Test, which is known for its trout fishing.
Described as a "picturesque" village by Visit Hampshire, this spot is surrounded by the beauty of the South Downs National Park.
Recommended reading:
The one place people need to visit when they go to Hampshire according to readers
The tiny and beautiful Hampshire village where TV chef James Martin has lived
New Forest hotel ranked among best of the best in Tripadvisor awards
There is a sense of history to the place due to a number of ancient buildings found there, such as the Norman Church of All Saints.
The website adds: "The village has a shop with Post Office facilities, a number of Bed and Breakfast establishments, and two pubs, Ye Olde George and The Izaak Walton (named after the famous angler).
"The River Meon runs alongside the village street, with its spring source approximately one mile south of the village. The popular long distance footpath South Downs Way also passes nearby."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

3 hours ago

• Yahoo

Fleetwood, Thomas and Scheffler share PGA Travelers lead

England's Tommy Fleetwood fired a five-under par 65 to grab a share of the lead after the second round of the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship (Andrew Redington) England's Tommy Fleetwood made two eagles and a birdie in the last six holes Friday to grab a share of the lead with top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas at the PGA Travelers Championship. Thomas reeled off five consecutive birdies in firing a six-under par 64 while Fleetwood shot 65 and Scheffler fired a 69 to all stand on nine-under 131 for 36 holes at windy TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. Advertisement Paris Olympic runner-up Fleetwood, ranked 17th, matched his season-low round. He has seven European Tour wins but seeks his first PGA Tour victory. Fleetwood eagled the par-five 13th after reaching the green in two and sinking a putt from just inside 10 feet, then chipped in at the par-four 14th for eagle from the fairway from just inside 90 feet. "Would have been happy walking off with two birdies," Fleetwood said. "But two eagles was a big bonus." A 12-foot birdie putt at the par-three 16th gave him a share of the lead. "It happened really quick. You don't expect two eagles in three holes," he said. "You don't really look for those things to happen. Advertisement "I played really well. Felt like I did a great job of scrapping on the front nine then played well on the back nine." Fifth-ranked Thomas, a two-time major winner, opened the back nine with a bogey then birdied the next five holes. The last two in the run, at the 14th and 15th, were from just beyond 26 feet each. "I was very patient. I hit a lot of really good iron shots. I felt like I was in good control," Thomas said. "I didn't feel like I drove it very well. I kept it in play and kept it in front of me, which is a big part of it, but I just kept it out of trouble. Finally made some putts on that back nine. It was nice." Advertisement Scheffler, who won his third major title at last month's PGA Championship, stumbled back with a double bogey at 17, plunking his second shot into the water. "I played really nice," Scheffler said. "Had a weird lie on the second shot and kind of chunked it. After that I hit each shot the way I wanted, just didn't get the results from it. "Outside of that, I felt like I played pretty well. It was very challenging out there with the wind gusts." Scheffler made a bogey at the par-five sixth after missing the green with his approach but responded with birdies at the seventh on a putt from just inside seven feet and the ninth from just inside 10 feet. Advertisement At the par-five 13th, Scheffler reached the green in two and two-putted for birdie from 24 feet to grab the solo lead, then sank a birdie putt from just inside 17 feet. - Day just one shot back - Australian Jason Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, made three birdies in a row on holes 12-14 -- all on putts between four and eight feet -- and closed with a 21-foot birdie putt to shoot 66 and take fourth on 132. "There's 40-mph gusts out there," Day said. "You had to hit on the right wind." Americans Denny McCarthy and Austin Eckroat shared fifth on 133. World number two Rory McIlroy made bogeys on three of the first four holes then made birdies on three of the first six on the back nine as he battled to a 71 to stand on 135. Advertisement "I hit some good shots and held it together when it could have got away from me early in the round," McIlroy said. "I felt like I battled back pretty well. "To get it back somewhat close to even par for the day was good. The conditions definitely bunched the entire field together and should make for an exciting weekend." js/bb

Associated Press

3 hours ago

• Associated Press

A decade after the refugee crisis, Lesbos still looks for closure

Ten years after Europe's refugee crisis brought waves of desperate migrants to its shores, the Greek island of Lesbos is still living with the aftermath. Once the key landing point for people fleeing war and poverty, the island has returned to a sense of normalcy. Tourists are back, and some former refugees have settled into daily life. But traces of the crisis remain — from unmarked graves to the toys of refugee children in the beach. As the European Union moves to tighten migration policies, many locals fear the island could once again become a frontline for people seeking a new life in Europe.

Travel + Leisure

5 hours ago

• Travel + Leisure

This Airline Was Just Named the Best in the World—and It's a 9-time Winner

For many travelers, flying has become little more than a way to reach a destination—efficient, often impersonal, and rarely memorable. But a select group of airlines continue to invest in the idea that the journey still matters. With refined cabins, thoughtful amenities, and attentive service, they aim to make time in the air feel less like transit and more like an experience. Each year, the Skytrax World Airline Awards, often referred to as 'the Oscars of the aviation industry,' recognize the carriers that deliver on that promise. First launched in 1999, the awards are based on global passenger surveys and are considered among the most respected honors in commercial aviation. At the June 17, 2025, ceremony in France, Qatar Airways was named the World's Best Airline for the second consecutive year and the ninth time in Skytrax history. Qatar Airways rose to the top out of more than 325 airlines that were included in the survey results. According to Skytrax's award and survey methodology, the ranking is 'not restricted to member airlines or a pre-selected choice of airline, and any airline in the world can be nominated. The focus of the survey is for customers to make their own, personal choices as to which airline they consider to be the best, underlining the brand as the Passenger's Choice Awards.' 'Being named the World's Best Airline for the ninth time is an extraordinary honor," Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said in the Skytrax press release. "Being continuously recognized as a 5-Star Airline further underscores our mission: to set new benchmarks for the industry and to ensure that our passengers feel genuinely cared for, valued and inspired to return.' Qatar Airways, which is the flag carrier of Qatar and is headquartered in Doha, was also named the Best Airline in the Middle East. Qatar Airways' largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, is a flier favorite. It has two floors and one of the world's largest on-board lounges. Its business class—branded as Qsuites and includes a series of private suites with sliding doors—was named the World's Best Business Class, while the airline's Al Mourjan Garden Lounge in Doha was named the World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge. Singapore Airlines, which was No. 1 in 2023 and has won the award five times, held onto second place for the second year in a row. In third place for 2025 was Cathay Pacific, while Emirates came in at No. 4 and All Nippon Airways (ANA) at No. 5.