The very best places to stay in
Hampshire
Part countryside daydream, part coastal escape — few places capture England’s gentle charm quite like Hampshire. A patchwork of chalk downs, ancient woodland, harbour towns and wide heathland, where red kites wheel over meadows and wild ponies wander through sun-dappled glades. It’s the kind of place that invites a slower pace, with a gentle rolling landscape of hidden lanes, soft horizons and timeless charm. From the sailing waters of the Solent to the mossy depths of the New Forest, Hampshire is made for those who crave slow days by the sea, long walks in wild spaces and savouring simple pleasures.
This is a county of beautiful contrasts. You’ve got honey-stoned market towns like Alresford and Stockbridge; medieval Winchester with its soaring cathedral and indie cafés; and the salty tang of the coast at Lymington and Keyhaven. Venture inland and the South Downs roll away in chalky waves, dotted with ancient yew groves and quiet flint villages. History lingers everywhere — from Jane Austen’s house at Chawton to maritime heritage in Portsmouth — but modern Hampshire hums with creativity too, in farm-to-fork restaurants, small vineyards, forest lodges and artsy rural festivals.
We love Hampshire because it feels both familiar and full of discovery. You can lose hours following a woodland trail carpeted in bluebells, or end up in a coastal pub with salt in your hair and a glass of English sparkling wine. There are wild swims to be had in secret rivers, winding cycle trails through the New Forest, and candlelit suppers in converted barns where everything on your plate comes from a field nearby. See our Kip tips for the region, below.
Our slow-living places to stay in Hampshire and nearby Sussex include secluded eco cabins tucked away in the woods, stunning seaside abodes just steps from the beach and cosy countryside cottages made for wholesome family holidays. All design-led and superbly located to explore Hampshire and beyond… or simply escape the everyday for something a little more extraordinary.
Featured stays in
Hampshire
Curate your Hampshire stay
Kip tips
Foodie treat
Book a table at Lime Wood Hotel’s Hartnett Holder & Co — a dreamy mix of Italian soul and New Forest produce. For something more rustic, The Pig in Brockenhurst does local-on-a-plate like nowhere else. Or head to The Chesil Rectory in Winchester, a 600-year-old medieval house serving refined British fare.
secret kip tip
At dawn, walk the Beaulieu River Trail through misty forest to the old millpond at Buckler’s Hard — utterly serene, with only swans and the occasional deer for company. Magical.
must visit
Spend the day in Winchester – once the capital of England and steeped in history. Climb St. Giles Hill for views over the cathedral and rooftops, wander College Street past Jane Austen’s house, and finish with coffee and cake at The Handlebar Café, built from reclaimed wood overlooking the old railway line.
best activity
Hire bikes at Brockenhurst station and explore the Ornamental Drive through the New Forest. Stop for a picnic among the ponies, and don’t be surprised if a curious donkey joins you.
with kids
Take them on the Watercress Line steam train between Alresford and Alton — all puffing engines, waving guards and rolling countryside. It’s nostalgia made real.
Architecture
Detour to Houghton Lodge & Gardens — a picture-perfect 18thC “Cottage Orné” on the River Test, where peacocks strut across lawns and wisteria tumbles down chalk walls.
Explore other locations
Why book a Hampshire holiday with
Kip Hideaways?
We endlessly research and curate the very best places to stay across the UK: all gorgeous and great value. Beautiful, unique style is a must for us but it’s the thoughtful detail and owners who really care that make our hideaways so special.
Our design-led hideaways include cabins with hot tubs, dog-friendly cottages, romantic treehouses and family-friendly houses.
