Discover more in Hampshire
Centuries-old mansions, a working watermill and wildlife-rich heathland await you in Hampshire.
Our Hampshire gardens are awash with blooms in spring. You'll find jewel-coloured tulips, fruit- and ornamental cherry blossom at Hinton Ampner and Mottisfont. There are wild beauties too, with orchids, snakeshead fritillaries and other wildflowers popping up in the orchard at Sandham Memorial Chapel.
Over 5,000 tulips bring bright shots of colour to Hinton’s gardens. There are no less than 12 varieties, including pink-tinged Apricot Beauty and green striped Orange Marmalade in the kitchen garden. Stoll down the lichen-covered terrace steps to find long borders packed with soft pinks and oranges.
Tulips and other bright flowers fill borders in the walled gardens at Mottisfont. Rich pink and white fruit blossom is unfurling in the rose garden and soon the first roses will start to appear in t.
Frothy almond-scented cherry blossom pops up in the wild garden at The Vyne. Tulips provide pops of purple, pink and cream colour in the walled garden. In late spring, 40 apple varieties as well as medlar, plum and pear trees fill the orchard with candy-pink and white blossoms.
There are picnic benches in Sandham’s charming orchard – the perfect place to take in pink and white apple blossom in late spring, beneath which wildflowers grow in this meadow setting. At the back of the chapel you’ll find an avenue of young flowering crab apple trees.
Winchester City Mill’s island garden is a unique opportunity to explore lush tropical-style planting whilst the famous river Itchen rushes by on both sides. It’s also a wonderful place to enjoy coffee, cake or maybe lunch – the garden doubles as the mill’s outdoor café.
Stretch your legs, run around, enjoy some peace and quiet and take in stunning views.
Adjoining the gardens are acres of beautiful parkland. Follow the ancient tree trail to discover some of its remarkable gnarled veterans, or simply enjoy soaking up the panoramic vista as you wander.
Centuries-old mansions, a working watermill and wildlife-rich heathland await you in Hampshire.