Looking ahead
From stargazing to kitesurfing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy across the local area in 2019 – and now’s the perfect time to add some dates to the diary and plan your visit to this beautiful part of the world.
We’ve picked a few of our favourites to showcase the diversity of events and activities taking place in Hampshire this year…
Countdown to the cricket
With Woodlands Retreat being just a stone’s throw from the historic Broadhalfpenny Down cricket ground and The Bat & Ball, we couldn’t go any further without mentioning the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, hosted by England and Wales.
The Hampshire Bowl is set to play host to five World Cup matches, with England, South Africa, India, West Indies, Bangladesh and Afghanistan all taking to the field at the Southampton venue during June.
Distance from Woodlands Retreat B&B: 17 miles
Stars in the sky
The ever-popular South Downs Dark Skies Festival aims to celebrate dark night skies through parties, talks and family activities.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, this year’s events will include indoor planetarium shows, talks about the moon, the stars and nocturnal wildlife, science demonstrations, and - if the night is clear- an opportunity to go outside and take part in some moongazing with the experts.
Anniversary events
In 2019, Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton celebrates the 70th anniversary of the House opening to the public.
It was in this country cottage that Jane's genius flourished and where she wrote, revised and had published all her major works, including Pride and Prejudice.
A programme of displays and events dedicated to the life of the Museum will run throughout the year, with event highlights including a new series of Director’s Talk and Tours, an Austen music workshop, writing workshops, guided walks and a special birthday celebration event on Saturday 27 July.
Distance from Woodlands Retreat B&B: 16 miles
Food, glorious food
There are plenty of culinary events to enjoy across Hampshire this year, including a month-long celebration of the county’s finest food and drink with the Hampshire Food Festival in July.
Local farms, producers, pubs, restaurants and hotels will be getting involved, hosting a range of events to showcase the county’s diverse culinary offerings – from distillery tours to cookery classes.
Closer to home, Hambledon Vineyard hosts a range of its own wine tours and special events throughout the year, where visitors can learn more about the state-of-the-art winery and explaining the processes involved in making English sparkling wine. Upcoming events include a wine and local cheese night, ‘Be a Winemaker for the Night’ and High Tea at Hambledon.
Something different
If you’re searching for something different, look no further...
Butser Ancient Farm’s hugely popular Beltain Festival pays homage to the Celtic celebration to mark the beginning of summer, with music, dancing and the burning of the giant Wickerman.
Down on Hayling Island, surf’s up for the Kitesurfing Armada Festival – an action-packed weekend of kiting, live music, fundraising and family activities.
And on Southsea Common, all eyes turn to the skies for the Portsmouth International Kite Festival, featuring an array of stunning and colourful demonstrations of the art of kite flying and kite making.
Looking for more to explore? Check out these useful links: