Hampshire is one of England’s most varied counties – a fact that is easy to miss given how much of it is either defined by Southampton and Portsmouth or overlooked in favour of the neighbouring New Forest. In reality it contains some of the most rewarding van travel in southern England, from the chalk rivers of the Test and Itchen valleys to the coastal marshes of the Solent and the distinctive character of the North Hampshire Downs.
Winchester is a highlight – one of England’s finest historic cities, with a cathedral, a medieval high street and a riverine setting that makes it an excellent van stop. The chalk downland villages of mid-Hampshire offer quiet overnight options and excellent walking. The south coast towns around the Solent have a nautical history and appeal that rewards a stop.
Hampshire also serves as a gateway to the New Forest, which spills across the county’s western edge. The combination of forest camping and New Forest-adjacent countryside means Hampshire can absorb several days of van travel without repeating itself.
The Hampshire posts on this site cover specific stops and experiences from real van trips – first-hand accounts of what works and what to look for in this underrated county.
Holmsley Campsite sits within the New Forest, just outside Burley, with direct access onto open heathland straight from the entrance. It’s a Forestry England site, and one of the first things you notice is how much it feels part of the wider landscape rather than separated from it. Booking was simple and quick through the … Read more