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PLACES TO VISIT WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE OF SOUTHAMPTON

Discover three of the best places you should visit within driving distance of Southampton in Hampshire.

There’s nothing more exciting than planning a trip or holiday, but you may find yourself asking a few questions like where do I go? what do I see? or how do I get there?

At Richmond Motor Group, not only do we have some of the most sought-after holiday destinations surrounding our dealerships in England, we also have the best cars to help on your journey. We aim to cover all questions mentioned above in our guide, which lists three of the best places you should visit within driving distance of Southampton in Hampshire. A city full of rich history including the birthplace of the Spitfire fighter plane, the Mayflower, and the departure point of the Titanic on its maiden voyage.

1. Discover the beauty of New Forest

2. Explore the awe inspiring Stonehenge

3. Head to Winchester for a city break

 

New Forest Image

New Forest

After becoming a national park in 2005, the New Forest is home to the country’s best off-road cycleways, 140 miles of footpaths, food outlets, and museums. New visitors can also enjoy the bustling towns and villages which are at the heart of the forest. Locations like Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, and Beaulieu are perfect for a day out as you explore such attractions as the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey, and World of Top Gear.

For nature-lovers and campers, the New Forest’s beautiful scenery is filled with amazing plants and wildlife that have been around for centuries, including the Knightwood Oak tree which is over 500 years old. The forest also contains mighty redwoods, oaks, beech, yew, holly, and many more.

The New Forest is not only home to people, while out for a walk or on a bike ride but also to an outstanding number of ponies freely wandering the grounds. There are around 5,000 ponies, but you will also be able to enjoy the sights of deer and donkeys.

Family of cyclists? This is for you

If you and your family are looking to explore the park on two wheels instead of four, you might want to invest in a bike rack for your car. Some vehicles including the ŠKODA KAROQ allow for a roof rack with up to 4 bikes accommodating an average size family. Perfectly placed to transport all the bikes for a fun day out in the park.


Stonehenge Image

Salisbury - Stonehenge

Sitting in the heart of Wiltshire on the Salisbury plain, you will find Stonehenge which is regarded as the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. The monument is believed to have been built in several stages: the henge monument was built around 5,000 years ago, and the stone circle was constructed in the late Neolithic period about 2500BC. Merged together with the Avebury Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites, Stonehenge was awarded World Heritage Site by UNESCO in November 1986.

Once your visit to Stonehenge is complete, take a 20-minute drive to the cathedral city of Salisbury, which has been welcoming visitors since 1227. The top tourist attraction to see is the Salisbury Cathedral, which is the absolute highlight for many travellers. The cathedral tower tour allows you to get a real birds-eye-view of the city, although you will need to venture up 332 steps to reach the top.

Other fun-filled reasons to visit this city include the 800-year-old Poultry Cross Market, the Salisbury Museum, Wilton House, and the Haunch of Venison.

Park tight, don’t let the curbs bite

If navigating the narrow streets of Salisbury sounds like a challenge, you could benefit from having an extra “set of eyes” to guide you through. For example, the MG3 Exclusive comes with features such as Parking Sensors as well as a Reversing Camera, helping you to easily park even in the tightest spots around town.


Winchester Cathedral Image

Winchester

Once the former capital of England, Winchester is a popular attraction hotspot for tourists from around the world. This quaint little city is famous for its lively high street during Christmas (Christmas Market), the largest farmer’s market in the country, and steeped history. Historical artifacts and places include Winchester Cathedral, King Arthur’s Round Table, and the final resting place of author Jane Austin.

For film lovers, Winchester is becoming a hub for top blockbuster films and dramas, some of which includes The Da Vinci Code, Les Misérables, The Crown, Harry Potter, and so much more.

Should you wish to visit some of the film locations, Winchester College offers tours of its historical buildings and fascinating grounds.

Have you made the switch yet?

If you drive an Electric or a Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicle, rest assured Winchester will accommodate you as there are over 33 charging points located across the city. If you drive a long-range electric vehicle like the MG 5 EV or ŠKODA ENYAQ iV, you wouldn’t need to worry about charging between Southampton and Winchester because they both offer excellent miles of range which is plenty to last for more than a day.


26 April 2022

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