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Eating Out:
There are lots of
restaurants in the area, some within a short 2 minute
walk:-
The Heath (hotel) has a traditional English
restaurant
Italian, eat-in restaurant with Pizza takeaway
Fish and Chips
Chinese takeaway restaurant
Guests are welcome to eat takeaways in our
dining room - with prior arrangement.
Attractions:
Southampton:
The Historic Hythe ferry (foot passengers only)
runs every 30 minutes across Southampton water (takes
approx 15 minutes). It links to a free 5 minute bus ride
to the town centre and West Quay Mall. The
ferry is also an ideal way to see the Ocean Liners
(Arcadia, QM2 etc) which frequently dock alongside the
ferry terminal.
The Hythe ferry is approx 20 minutes walk from
Bankside B&B. Alternatively, there are several car
parks near the terminal.
Hythe:
There are many small shops in the town, a large new marina
complex and a lifeboat station. Visitors can walk
around and view all the yachts coming and going. There is
a great view of the liner terminal from here. There is a
nice walk along the sea wall and many seats - Southampton
Water is a very busy waterway and there is always
something of interest to watch.
The New Forest National Park:
Bankside B&B is just 10 minutes walk from the Eastern
boundary of the park.
Beaulieu is just 2 miles. Beaulieu is the home of
Lord & Lady Montagu at Palace House.
This is also the home of the National Motor Museum.
Both are well worth a day out. The Motor Museum has
excellent facilities for babies and children.
Beaulieu Abbey church is a favorite place for
weddings. Bankside B&B is an ideal place for
wedding guests to stay, being just 5 minutes drive from
the Abbey.
Exbury Gardens are a mile south of Beaulieu at
Exbury. The Gardens were created by Lionel de Rothschild
in the 1920s, and are renowned for their world-famous
displays of rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. The vast
range of exotic plants and trees in the 200 acre ground
will inspire gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River is a
couple of miles south of Beaulieu on the western side of
the river. (There is a lovely 40 minute walk beside the
Beaulieu River between the Hard and the village). This is
where Admiral Nelson's warships were built. There is
a visitor centre and museum.
Lymington:
This ancient harbour town is approx 20 minutes drive west
from Bankside B&B. There are lots of interesting
shops along the high street and a bustling Saturday street
market. There are 2 marinas and a number of fishing
vessels. Ferries depart here for the Isle of Wight.
Calshot (approx 5 miles):
With its long shingle spit and impressive line of beach huts,
Calshot has panoramic views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and is very popular with windsurfers.
At the far end of the spit stands Calshot Castle, built in 1539 by Henry VIII to protect the entrance to Southampton Water. Together with the castles at Netley and Hamble it formed the defence of what was, in the 15th and 16th Centuries, the 3rd largest port in England.
The castle was badly damaged in Queen Elizabeth's reign but was repaired using 127 oak trees from the New Forest. Calshot castle remained a fully manned artillery base until early in the 20th Century. It is now an English Heritage site.
Lepe:
Lepe occupies a narrow stretch of land beside the
Solent with superb views of the Isle of Wight.
Lepe is approx 5 miles south of Beaulieu near Exbury.
It lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area is popular for summer relaxation, bird watching, windsurfing, sea-fishing, and bracing walks along the shoreline.
There is a cafeteria (9am-5 pm, daily in summer), information centre & gift shop, toilets (inc disabled), children's play area, dog-free and dog-welcome beaches and car parking.
Eling:
Just a couple of miles north of Bankside, Eling Tide Mill
is the only tide mill in the world still milling flour
every day.
Beaulieu Jumbles:
In addition to the Motor Museum and Palace House, Beaulieu
is also the site of some spectacular specialist jumble
sales:
Beaulieu Boat Jumble is last Sunday in April
Beaulieu Auto Jumble is 2 days over second weekend in
September (this is the largest Auto Jumble in Europe)
Beaulieu Motor Cycle World is the first weekend in July
(the largest in southern England)
For the Children:
(all within a few miles):
Paultons Family Adventure Park is situated in a beautiful parkland setting of 140 acres with
colorful gardens, sweeping lawns and a horseshoe-shaped lake. It is a place full of fun, action and excitement. There are more than 40 different attractions and rides - fast and slow, wet and dry - as well as animated shows; play areas; museums; and exotic birds and animals.
Longdown Activity Farm offers a great chance to meet lots of friendly farm animals and to try your hand at being a farmer for a day!
Milking - watch the milking in the afternoon and get an insight into how a modern farm is managed;
Farm work - adults can be a farmer for a day
Children can bottle feed the lambs and calves, hold a chick and brush the miniature ponies.
Playareas, A spacious picnic area, Refreshment kiosk;
The New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Conservation Park
- The park provides full care facilities for injured or orphaned wild animals most of whom will be returned to the wild.
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