Alison's Guidebook
WALKS
There are some great walks along the river and along the fore shore. Hamble Common and beach are right on the doorstep.
Hamble-le-Rice
This is the entrance to the common near the pink ferry.
Hamble-le-Rice
Great walks with fresh sea air to make you smile.
This is a huge Country Park /nature reserve going along the banks of the Hamble river from Burseldon to Botley. You can park at Swanwick shore or in the Country Park itself. Great all year round. 4 miles away.
35 locals recommend
Manor Farm
Pyland's LaneThis is a huge Country Park /nature reserve going along the banks of the Hamble river from Burseldon to Botley. You can park at Swanwick shore or in the Country Park itself. Great all year round. 4 miles away.
This is a lovely area and worth a visit for a walk. There are numerous picturesque hamlets/ villages in the area and it’s worth stopping at Bosham and Emsworth along the way. A great day out. Chichester itself is also a lovely city.
32 miles away.
Chichester Yacht Club Ltd
Chichester MarinaThis is a lovely area and worth a visit for a walk. There are numerous picturesque hamlets/ villages in the area and it’s worth stopping at Bosham and Emsworth along the way. A great day out. Chichester itself is also a lovely city.
32 miles away.
It is only a fifteen minute walk to the park. It takes my breath away every time I visit. Plenty of open space and great views down to the Solent. Make sure you don’t miss the Military Cemetery to the rear of the hospital site. 3 miles away…as quick to walk.
49 locals recommend
Royal Victoria Country Park
It is only a fifteen minute walk to the park. It takes my breath away every time I visit. Plenty of open space and great views down to the Solent. Make sure you don’t miss the Military Cemetery to the rear of the hospital site. 3 miles away…as quick to walk.
ON THE WATER
Of course Hamble is famous for everything to do with sailing.
There is always lots of activity especially during high season and we have several reputable sailing schools.
THE PINK FERRY
Hamble - Warsash, running since 1493!
It’s a great trip over the river to Warsash where you will find great walks in both directions. You can walk to Lower Swanwick and through the woods and across the old airfield back to Hamble.
25 locals recommend
Hamble-le-Rice
THE PINK FERRY
Hamble - Warsash, running since 1493!
It’s a great trip over the river to Warsash where you will find great walks in both directions. You can walk to Lower Swanwick and through the woods and across the old airfield back to Hamble.
If you fancy learning to paddle board…or just need one to rent….this is the place. 2 miles up the road in Mercury Marina.
7 locals recommend
WeSUP Hamble River | Paddle Boarding Southampton
Satchell LaneIf you fancy learning to paddle board…or just need one to rent….this is the place. 2 miles up the road in Mercury Marina.
DIVE CENTRE & SHOP.
If you prefer to be underwater….. stop off here!
A reputable dive centre with an indoor pool and lake offering lots of courses. They also have a very well stocked shop for supplies. 4 miles away.
Andark
256 Bridge RdDIVE CENTRE & SHOP.
If you prefer to be underwater….. stop off here!
A reputable dive centre with an indoor pool and lake offering lots of courses. They also have a very well stocked shop for supplies. 4 miles away.
Fairview have lots of boats for charter with or without a skipper. They also run sailing courses. Their office is in Port Hamble near to the Banana Wharf restaurant.
Fairview Sailing Ltd
Fairview have lots of boats for charter with or without a skipper. They also run sailing courses. Their office is in Port Hamble near to the Banana Wharf restaurant.
OUT & ABOUT
The ruins of this late Medieval Monastery are close to Southampton Water and the most complete surviving abbey built by the Cistercian monks in Southern England.
You can walk there in 30-40 minutes.
12 locals recommend
Netley Abbey
Abbey HillThe ruins of this late Medieval Monastery are close to Southampton Water and the most complete surviving abbey built by the Cistercian monks in Southern England.
You can walk there in 30-40 minutes.
This is Hampshire’s only working windmill. It was built in 1814 and restored in 1990. It is very close to the big Tesco.
8 locals recommend
Bursledon Windmill
Windmill LaneThis is Hampshire’s only working windmill. It was built in 1814 and restored in 1990. It is very close to the big Tesco.
The Emirates Spinnaker Tower is a 170m landmark observation tower in the heart of the city with fabulous views.
Lots to see in this area of Portsmouth.
Located at Gunwharf Quay where there is a big selection of shops, restaurants and bars overlooking the water.
You can walk around to Old Portsmouth and The Hotwalls, a Grade 1 listed Point Battery and Barracks which were part of the original military defences of Portsmouth.
You will find a great cafe ‘The Canteen’ in the actual walls and local artist studios, all worth checking out.
148 locals recommend
Spinnaker Tower
The Emirates Spinnaker Tower is a 170m landmark observation tower in the heart of the city with fabulous views.
Lots to see in this area of Portsmouth.
Located at Gunwharf Quay where there is a big selection of shops, restaurants and bars overlooking the water.
You can walk around to Old Portsmouth and The Hotwalls, a Grade 1 listed Point Battery and Barracks which were part of the original military defences of Portsmouth.
You will find a great cafe ‘The Canteen’ in the actual walls and local artist studios, all worth checking out.
This is the UK’s premier destination for naval history.
There are several historic ships and buildings to visit…..so make sure you allow plenty of time. 18 miles away.
345 locals recommend
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
This is the UK’s premier destination for naval history.
There are several historic ships and buildings to visit…..so make sure you allow plenty of time. 18 miles away.
Winchester was the first and former capital city of England. It is an unspoilt cathedral city with lots of history along with some great shopping and independent cafes and restaurants. 19 miles away.
237 locals recommend
Winchester
Winchester was the first and former capital city of England. It is an unspoilt cathedral city with lots of history along with some great shopping and independent cafes and restaurants. 19 miles away.
Southampton is the home port to some of the largest cruise ships in the world.
It is noted as the departure port for RMS Titanic and has a strong association with the Mayflower. The Spitfire was also built in the city. 7 miles away.
Southampton City Centre
Southampton is the home port to some of the largest cruise ships in the world.
It is noted as the departure port for RMS Titanic and has a strong association with the Mayflower. The Spitfire was also built in the city. 7 miles away.
This ia a lovely house and gardens owned by the National Trust. It is 8 miles East of Winchester. 14 miles away from Hamble.
17 locals recommend
Hinton Ampner
This ia a lovely house and gardens owned by the National Trust. It is 8 miles East of Winchester. 14 miles away from Hamble.
This castle is one of the best preserved Saxon shore forts. There is a courtyard with lots of open grounds and great views to enjoy.
13 miles away.
39 locals recommend
Portchester Castle
Church LaneThis castle is one of the best preserved Saxon shore forts. There is a courtyard with lots of open grounds and great views to enjoy.
13 miles away.
OUT & ABOUT
Here you can see the history of the Southampton people and their connection with the Titanic.
65 locals recommend
SeaCity Museum
Havelock RoadHere you can see the history of the Southampton people and their connection with the Titanic.
This was Southampton’s first museum. It is a lovely Grade1 listed building with a good cafe.
37 locals recommend
Tudor House and Garden
Bugle StreetThis was Southampton’s first museum. It is a lovely Grade1 listed building with a good cafe.
The Isle of Wight is easy to get to from Southampton or Portsmouth and has a lot to offer.
Cowes is a great place to have lunch (recommend ‘The Coast Bar & Dining’ and ‘Gastronomy’)…make time to wonder around the arty shops in the High Street.
118 locals recommend
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is easy to get to from Southampton or Portsmouth and has a lot to offer.
Cowes is a great place to have lunch (recommend ‘The Coast Bar & Dining’ and ‘Gastronomy’)…make time to wonder around the arty shops in the High Street.
FOOD SCENE
We are very lucky in Hamble to have a great selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants on offer as well as Indian, Chinese and Fish & Chips to takeaway. Here is a taste of what is on offer.
A great cosy restaurant with a small but changing menu. A lovely garden with outside eating huts ( min 4 guests).
The best food in Hamble.
18 locals recommend
River Rat Cellar & Kitchen
High StreetA great cosy restaurant with a small but changing menu. A lovely garden with outside eating huts ( min 4 guests).
The best food in Hamble.
A great pub very popular with sailors…..probably due to the large selection of rum on offer! Great inside & outside space. Sometimes has live music.
22 locals recommend
The King and Queen Pub
High StreetA great pub very popular with sailors…..probably due to the large selection of rum on offer! Great inside & outside space. Sometimes has live music.
This is a charming pub very near the quayside with a small outside terrace. Great dishes on offer a cut above pub food.
23 locals recommend
The Bugle
High StreetThis is a charming pub very near the quayside with a small outside terrace. Great dishes on offer a cut above pub food.
This is an old fashioned pub which has been refurbished and has great character and a lovely courtyard eating space. Good selection of ales and pub food. The closest pub to the house!
13 locals recommend
Ye Olde Whyte Harte
High StreetThis is an old fashioned pub which has been refurbished and has great character and a lovely courtyard eating space. Good selection of ales and pub food. The closest pub to the house!
This is a busy restaurant with waterfront views overlooking the yachts in Port Hamble Marina. Can get very busy on a sunny weekend. A great spot for lunch.
19 locals recommend
Banana Wharf Hamble
This is a busy restaurant with waterfront views overlooking the yachts in Port Hamble Marina. Can get very busy on a sunny weekend. A great spot for lunch.
This is just down the hill from the Square and a great spot for breakfast, coffee or lunch. Seating available on the decking at the front, inside or in the garden at the rear.
Local gifts also for sale.
They also have a cafe in Port Hamble marina to serve the workforce as well as visitors.
15 locals recommend
Jenny's Cafe, Hamble
High StreetThis is just down the hill from the Square and a great spot for breakfast, coffee or lunch. Seating available on the decking at the front, inside or in the garden at the rear.
Local gifts also for sale.
They also have a cafe in Port Hamble marina to serve the workforce as well as visitors.
This cafe is in a prime location on the shore. Seating inside, upstairs terrace or outside.
Quick cafe food and drinks served daily.
23 locals recommend
The Beach Hut Cafe
7 Cliff DrThis cafe is in a prime location on the shore. Seating inside, upstairs terrace or outside.
Quick cafe food and drinks served daily.
This is a popular local restaurant in Hamble Point Marina. Great for breakfast and lunch. A great walk through the Common takes you to Hamble Point.
8 locals recommend
Ketch Rigger
School LaneThis is a popular local restaurant in Hamble Point Marina. Great for breakfast and lunch. A great walk through the Common takes you to Hamble Point.
SHOPPING
Hamble is well served with essential shops.
We have convenience stores open until late, a great butcher, a lovely gift shop, a Post Office, a pharmacy and several hairdressers.
There are two lovely farm shops close by and a great bakery in Netley Abbey.
At the top of Hamble Lane you will find a Tesco ‘extra’.
If you need some serious shopping, Whitely Village is not too far away. Gunwharf Quay is on the waterfront in Portsmouth and also West Quay in Southampton
This is a quirky shop selling amazing cards, gifts, jewellery and art work from individual artists.
Sea Sky Design
High StreetThis is a quirky shop selling amazing cards, gifts, jewellery and art work from individual artists.
A great convenience store in the village square, well stocked and open until late.
Fresh pastries baked every day.
9 locals recommend
Co-op Food - Hamble
High StreetA great convenience store in the village square, well stocked and open until late.
Fresh pastries baked every day.
Our local butcher is very popular. Large selection of meats & small deli section. Sometimes has fresh bread. Closed on a Sunday & Monday.
Chambers of Hamble
6 Coronation ParadeOur local butcher is very popular. Large selection of meats & small deli section. Sometimes has fresh bread. Closed on a Sunday & Monday.
Pickwell Farm
Grange RoadWe love this farm shop. Lots of great local produce.
Pick your own is fun too.
This is another great farm shop on Hamble Lane. Lots of great local fruit & veg & cheese & meats……also a big selection of honey. They sell delicious bread from the Netley bakers.
ITCHEN FRUIT COMPANY
Hamble LaneThis is another great farm shop on Hamble Lane. Lots of great local fruit & veg & cheese & meats……also a big selection of honey. They sell delicious bread from the Netley bakers.