Free Things To Do On The South Coast

Telling the story of Portsmouth and its inhabitants, The Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is free for all visitors looking to learn more about the historic city. The site is filled with fascinating exhibitions, wonderful displays and engrossing from the city’s history. This includes the world’s largest collection of Arthur Conan Doyle, detailing his time in Portsmouth where he set up his doctor’s surgery and write his earliest novels, where you can also take part in your own mystery. The museum also features a diverse assortment of paintings, sculptures, furniture and more by renowned artists, including works by David Hockney, Henry Moore, Rene Lalique and more.

Found in the Valley of the River Meon in south Hampshire, just an 8 minute drive from the hotel, Titchfield Abbey is a beautiful feat of architecture that has lasted through the ages. The last monastery of Premonstratensian canons to be founded in England, Abbey was transformed into a grand mansion called Place House in 1537 after the Suppression of the Monasteries, with many of the monastic buildings being reused and a gatehouse being built sometime in the 16^th century. Today, the remains of the Abbey are free to wander, as you’ll see architectural marvels, along with the many acres of land surrounding the ruins.

What would time on the South Coast be without a visit to the beach? Set across the Solent from the Isle of Wight, Hill Head Beach is a gorgeous stretch of shingle beach. The beach is divided by wooden groynes that offer protection from the longshore drift, and is a wonderful opportunity for a seaside walk with an incredible view. The beach is also popular with water sports enthusiasts, offering great sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and is also a popular spot for fishing. At the western end of the beach is a small harbour and the Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, which is home to a stunning array of birdlife.

Free to walk and accessible year-round, Southampton’s Town Wall will take you on a journey through history. A 1km circuit of medieval walls, you’ll find plenty of interesting titbits along your way thanks to helpful interpretation panels, information boards and detailed artworks. You’ll see incredible vistas across the city, from the modern skyscrapers and bustling streets to the natural beauty of New Forest. A walk along the walls is also a perfect opportunity to visit Old Town, one of the true historic gems of Southern England. An important touchstone in England’s history, the town has seen iconic names pass through like William the Conqueror, Henry V, William Shakespeare, Jane Austin and more. Take a stroll through their footsteps, with the medieval town home to many buildings and local landmarks maintained from its past.