Thinking of a holiday along the Solent coastline? She maybe little, but she is mighty! The short stretch of water is just 20 miles long beginning in Barton on Sea, a seaside town on the edge of the New Forest with cliff-top walks, lively beaches for surfers and body boarders alike! Then onto the New Forest, Southampton, Gosport and Portsmouth! Within this 20 mile stretch you will find a variety of things to do and see! An eclectic mix of old & new, forests and beaches, wildlife, retail therapy, outdoor activities and steeped in history!
We at Southampton Campers are extremely fortunate to be located in the heart of Southampton, and this beautiful city is pretty much smack bang in the middle of The Solent coastline! This is what makes the Solent area a favourite holiday destination with Campers! Pick up your van from us and let the adventure begin!
The New Forest, home to the world famous ponies, has an array of camp sites for your base, many of which, like us, are dog friendly! Some suggestions can be found here: www.campsites.co.uk/search/dog-friendly-campsites-in-hampshire
Pitch up, and if you don’t want to lose your space, you can set up the ‘pop up’ tent available from us, which not only secures your pitch, but it can double up as a storage area, freeing up the space in your van for your day out! We also offer a range of other campervan extras to help ensure your holiday is as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
The New Forest is home to many attractions, all offering fantastic days out for all the family to enjoy. From historic houses and castles, theme parks and animal attractions, there is plenty to choose from come rain or shine. For anyone who enjoys learning about wildlife then the New Forest Wildlife Park and Marwell Zoo make great places to visit. At both sites you can discover some of the species of animals from across the globe. Find out about farmyard animals at Longdown Activity Farm, near Ashurst and at the Dorset Heavy Horse Centre. There is a great choice of dog friendly attractions that your four-legged friend will enjoy just as much as you!
The New Forest campsites are all conveniently located for visiting Southampton. The city is steeped in history, all of which is easily accessible by campervan!
From Southampton there is easy access to the Isle of Wight, just perfect for touring in a campervan!
How would you spend your perfect day out? Maybe you want family fun and adventure for the kids! Here are some ideas of the amazing Isle of Wight attractions, some of which include detailed history and heritage, extending right back to the time of the Dinosaurs! www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do
The Island is a popular place for a holiday and plays host to some of the most famous and popular attractions in the UK, including the UK's oldest theme park at Blackgang Chine! From here there are some spectacular views across the island and beyond, and what a better way to spectate than from the comfort of the VW California!
There are a range of great animal attractions, where you can get up close and personal with penguins, meerkats and many others. There are also various activities on the Isle of Wight that you can do such as Adventure Activities that offers land and water activities for all ages. There are also many traditional seaside amusements offering a wide range of entertainment. Many of the Isle of Wight attractions are open all year round meaning there are lots of things to do in all seasons. Take a walk through the Ventnor Botanic Gardens whatever the weather, or enjoy a stop off at The Garlic Farm to try some of their fantastic products. If sailing appeals, you can catch the internationally acclaimed Cowes week in August.
Or maybe you would like to take time out at one of the many music festivals, and if this is calling you, what better way to enjoy all the festivities from the roof of your camper! With the roof front opening, and the spring-loaded mattress, your views could be unparalleled due to your elevated position, all the while you have every home comfort at the tip of your fingers in one of our California VW campers. Take a look at the VW California features
The several charging points located around the van, mean you’ll never run out of juice for your gadgets! With two leisure batteries onboard, they will ensure you will have all the supply you need, and don’t worry about losing power, because as soon as you set off again, they will be recharged ready for the next stop! Sometimes you might just want to get away from it all with a relaxing stroll along one of the many Isle of Wight beaches, where you can stop off and bbq because you will have everything you need within arms reach in your California. The 42l fridge is plenty big enough to keep all your food and other goodies well chilled whilst on the road!
Further along the Solent coastline you will find yourself at Gosport and Portsmouth where you can find a wealth of literary, artistic and historical attractions. Along the coastline there are nature reserves, country parks and activity centres. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard also has thrills of its own with the interactive museum Action Stations, The Royal Naval Museum, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose Museum. More retail therapy in Gunwharf Quays, with its bars, nightclubs, cinemas and designer outlets, provides shopping delights while the 170-metre-tall Spinnaker Tower offers impressive views of Portsmouth Harbour. Kids will love the seafront and funfair, Blue Reef Aquarium and Pyramids leisure centre at Southsea while at nearby Hayling Island there are nature reserves, Blue Flag beaches, a mini railway and walking and cycling trails. With excellent parking right on the sea front, you can enjoy the unspoiled views across to the Isle of Wight.
Many country parks border the Solent shoreline and offer scenic views, such as Manor Farm Country Park on the Hamble River and Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley Abbey. The coastal nature reserve at Titchfield Haven is a wetland nature reserve with a rich habitat of rivers, marshlands and scrapes. It is excellent for birdwatching and attracts many people hoping to spot a rare species. A great place to reconnect with nature. Park up and sit back with a freshly made cuppa! Why not pull out the awning, set up the outdoor table and chairs, and enjoy your meal and the views!
The reserve is a year-round attraction; it’s a winter refuge for ducks, geese and wading birds. Sometimes otters play in the river as well! Should you find yourself visiting in the cooler months, the onboard heaters will keep you as snug as bugs and can be left on overnight for extra warmth. Even with the roof up, the heaters keep the whole vehicle warm! Just set to your preferred temperature in the overhead control panel and that’s it!
The California certainly has it all, a home from home at ANY time of year! Our VW Camper hire service is in the Solent area so what are you waiting for?! Book your campervan adventure with us and come see just how wonderfully diverse the south coast and the Solent area is.
