Malcolm’s guidebook
Walks
Walk across the road onto the Heath and on to Petersfield town centre, stop and watch a cricket match or the Swans and Geese on the pond, have an Ice Cream or paddle a boat.
9 locals recommend
Petersfield Heath
Heath Road WestWalk across the road onto the Heath and on to Petersfield town centre, stop and watch a cricket match or the Swans and Geese on the pond, have an Ice Cream or paddle a boat.
Footpaths lead in every direction, long distance routes such as the South Down way is nearby. The Serpent Trail starts right here, the Shipwrights way passes through the town.
Short flat walks can take you into beautiful countryside from the doorstep.
East Hampshire
Footpaths lead in every direction, long distance routes such as the South Down way is nearby. The Serpent Trail starts right here, the Shipwrights way passes through the town.
Short flat walks can take you into beautiful countryside from the doorstep.
Sightseeing
Historic Portsmouth and Southsea offer a mix of beach (shingly) with Piers and many attractions, and Historic fortifications dating from Henry VIII to the Napoleonic period. visit Old Portsmouth and watch the ferries and ships (including the latest Navy Aircraft carriers) passing into the harbour.
You could go on to the Isle of Wight by Hovercraft, as a foot passenger on the Catamaran or using the Car Ferry.
See also the Dockyards entry.
46 locals recommend
Southsea
Historic Portsmouth and Southsea offer a mix of beach (shingly) with Piers and many attractions, and Historic fortifications dating from Henry VIII to the Napoleonic period. visit Old Portsmouth and watch the ferries and ships (including the latest Navy Aircraft carriers) passing into the harbour.
You could go on to the Isle of Wight by Hovercraft, as a foot passenger on the Catamaran or using the Car Ferry.
See also the Dockyards entry.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard houses a vast number of attractions including HMS Victory (Nelson's flagship), HMS Warrior (the first ironclad warship) and The Mary Rose (Henry VIII flagship). This is a fabulous exhibition of the hull and thousands of artefacts retrieved from the bed of the Solent in 1982 after it sank in battle in 1545.
345 locals recommend
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard houses a vast number of attractions including HMS Victory (Nelson's flagship), HMS Warrior (the first ironclad warship) and The Mary Rose (Henry VIII flagship). This is a fabulous exhibition of the hull and thousands of artefacts retrieved from the bed of the Solent in 1982 after it sank in battle in 1545.
Winchester the historic capital of Wessex (Knights of the round table) is 20 miles west. With a 900 year old Cathedral and Castle (museum) and lovely city centre. A walk around the water meadows is highly recommended.
237 locals recommend
Winchester
Winchester the historic capital of Wessex (Knights of the round table) is 20 miles west. With a 900 year old Cathedral and Castle (museum) and lovely city centre. A walk around the water meadows is highly recommended.
A lovely 20 min drive south east takes you to Chichester, it retains its roman street layout though there is only a small part of the walls remaining. The Cathedral was founded in 1075. A bustling city centre with plenty of shops.
The Chichester Festival Theatre season offer the highest quality productions, many going on to the west end.
363 locals recommend
Chichester
A lovely 20 min drive south east takes you to Chichester, it retains its roman street layout though there is only a small part of the walls remaining. The Cathedral was founded in 1075. A bustling city centre with plenty of shops.
The Chichester Festival Theatre season offer the highest quality productions, many going on to the west end.
Attractions
Local places to visit
It is just a lovely 2 mile flat walk across open fields and streams to reach this great new attraction. Sky Park Farm is a working Deer Farm you can feed the deer, use the children s adventure playground, picnic, visit a beautiful farm shop with Butchers and Deli counters. The Grazing rooms offers quality cafe and restaurant facility. If cycling there is a maintenance stand available.
8 locals recommend
Sky Park Farm
It is just a lovely 2 mile flat walk across open fields and streams to reach this great new attraction. Sky Park Farm is a working Deer Farm you can feed the deer, use the children s adventure playground, picnic, visit a beautiful farm shop with Butchers and Deli counters. The Grazing rooms offers quality cafe and restaurant facility. If cycling there is a maintenance stand available.
A national trust house and garden on top of the downs with views to the coast.
61 locals recommend
Uppark House and Garden
A national trust house and garden on top of the downs with views to the coast.
A lovely House and Garden
If you are here at the right time there is a fabulous display of bluebells in the surrounding woods.
13 locals recommend
National Trust - Hinton Ampner
A lovely House and Garden
If you are here at the right time there is a fabulous display of bluebells in the surrounding woods.
Visit Jane Austen’s House in the Hampshire village of Chawton and discover the world’s best loved novelist. It was in this picturesque cottage that Jane Austen’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised, and had published all six of her treasured novels, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice.
87 locals recommend
Jane Austen's House
Winchester RoadVisit Jane Austen’s House in the Hampshire village of Chawton and discover the world’s best loved novelist. It was in this picturesque cottage that Jane Austen’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised, and had published all six of her treasured novels, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice.
A local museum recently fully refurbished (it was the police station). Discover information on the area from the Bronze age Barrows (mounds), local artists and photographers.
A Cafe is located in the Courtyard (no entry fee).
7 locals recommend
Petersfield Museum
1 St Peter's RdA local museum recently fully refurbished (it was the police station). Discover information on the area from the Bronze age Barrows (mounds), local artists and photographers.
A Cafe is located in the Courtyard (no entry fee).
The QE park is 5miles south, incorporating woodland and downland up to the highest point on the southdowns providing spectacular views in all directions from Butser Hill.
A Visitor centre and cafe is located adjacent to the A3 and a coffee spot on the top of the hill.
MTB trails run throughout the woods and bikes and e-bikes can be hired.
A full size assault course and smaller children's area are at the top of the hill in the wooded area.
41 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
The QE park is 5miles south, incorporating woodland and downland up to the highest point on the southdowns providing spectacular views in all directions from Butser Hill.
A Visitor centre and cafe is located adjacent to the A3 and a coffee spot on the top of the hill.
MTB trails run throughout the woods and bikes and e-bikes can be hired.
A full size assault course and smaller children's area are at the top of the hill in the wooded area.
Petersfield Open Air Pool
Heath RoadA great place to visit on a sunny day
Taro Leisure Centre
Penns PlaceLeisure Centre with Pool very close by.
Jane Austen's House
Winchester RoadOne for the readers
Staunton Farm is home to a wide variety of animals – from pigs, sheep, goats and chickens to more unusual animals like llamas and alpacas.
Spend your visit meeting the animals, learning about nature and exploring the gardens.
7 locals recommend
Staunton Farm
Middle Park WayStaunton Farm is home to a wide variety of animals – from pigs, sheep, goats and chickens to more unusual animals like llamas and alpacas.
Spend your visit meeting the animals, learning about nature and exploring the gardens.
Hogmoor Inclosure Natural Play Area
Hogmoor RoadA great adventure playground and trails (free). Nice Cafe too.
Our closest fully sandy beach, with great facilities, large grassy area and nice walks at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. You must pre-book car parking. Ask other attractions in this area.
329 locals recommend
West Wittering Beach
Pound RoadOur closest fully sandy beach, with great facilities, large grassy area and nice walks at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. You must pre-book car parking. Ask other attractions in this area.
A funfair, train and many other attractions all powered by steam. check opening date and times on their website
17 locals recommend
Hollycombe Steam in the Country
Midhurst RoadA funfair, train and many other attractions all powered by steam. check opening date and times on their website
City/town information
Petersfield is a quiet town with a very friendly population.
There are countless Cafes, Restaurants and Pubs (I can supply recommendations). A range of small shops and 3 supermarkets.
Markets take place in the town square Wednesdays and Saturdays and a Farmers market once a month on a Sunday.
It takes about 15min to walk from my house (across the Heath).
Trains run directly to London Waterloo and Portsmouth.
41 locals recommend
Petersfield
Petersfield is a quiet town with a very friendly population.
There are countless Cafes, Restaurants and Pubs (I can supply recommendations). A range of small shops and 3 supermarkets.
Markets take place in the town square Wednesdays and Saturdays and a Farmers market once a month on a Sunday.
It takes about 15min to walk from my house (across the Heath).
Trains run directly to London Waterloo and Portsmouth.
Cycling
I am Secretary for two cycling groups in Petersfield area and encourage everyone to bring their bikes to explore.
I can supply info on many routes around this beautiful picturesque area of the National park in Hampshire and West Sussex, starting from here. There are many miles of quiet country lanes. I may be able to loan you a bike as well.
There are MTB routes at QE park and the nearby Rogate downhill https://www.b1ke.com/b1keparks/rogate/ is a favourite for those after something more.
If you are cycling the King Alfred Way its just a 2 mile easy detour to stop for the night, or 3m to the Southdowns way.
Durford Road
Durford RoadI can supply info on many routes around this beautiful picturesque area of the National park in Hampshire and West Sussex, starting from here. There are many miles of quiet country lanes. I may be able to loan you a bike as well.
There are MTB routes at QE park and the nearby Rogate downhill https://www.b1ke.com/b1keparks/rogate/ is a favourite for those after something more.
If you are cycling the King Alfred Way its just a 2 mile easy detour to stop for the night, or 3m to the Southdowns way.