40 places to eat alfresco
Above: Fleur de Lys
Above: The Hamborough Hotel, Ventnor
Above: The Thomas Lord
Above: The Mayfly
Above: Pebble Beach
Above: Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Above: The Waters Edge
Above: Pebble Beach
Pack your own
Priors Dean Vineyard, between Selborne and Hawkley. Magnificent views over three counties. In the middle of nowhere. The picnic site is available by arrangement. Tel: 01730 894147.
Oakley Hall, near Basingstoke.
Turn your picnic into an event - book a picnic hamper from Oakley Hall (Jane Austen danced here) to take into the grounds. Everything provided except rugs.
Tel: 01256 783351.
Abbotstone Down, north of Old Alresford. Site of an ancient settlement. There’s woodland, downland, lots of footpaths plus picnic site and parking.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust, near Andover. Pre-book a picnic or bring your own; there are several picnic areas and a covered terrace. There’s also a coffee shop and lunchtime barbecue on weekends and holidays. Tel: 01264 772772.
Picnic sites with barbecues
Farley Mount Country Park, west of Winchester. Open country and woods. At the highest point is a pyramid-shaped folly. Pitt Down is popular for kite-flying and Crab Wood, ancient woodland, has a grass area for picnics and ball games and bookable barbecue. Tel: 01962 860948.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean. Hampshire’s biggest country park. There are picnic areas throughout plus 11 family barbecue hearths and five group sites (ranging from 40-120 people). All sites have picnic tables and some group sites also have shelter, toilet unit and electricity. Book in advance.
Tel: 0239259 5040.
Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley Abbey. 200 acres of woods and parkland overlooking Southampton Water. Four bookable barbecue sites - one for a group of up to 20 and three for parties of up to 100 people.
Tel: 0238045 5157.
Manor Farm Country Park, Burlesdon. 400 acres of woodland, farmland and open space on the River Hamble. There are five small barbecues for hire (for up to 12 people).
Tel: 01489 787055.
Lepe Country Park, New Forest coast.
Pebble beach with views across to the Isle of Wight. Picnic areas, café and barbecues for hire. Tel: 02380 899108.
Two in the New Forest,
Wilverley. Inclosure, between Burley and Brockenhurst, has a barbecue site for up to 100 people. Anderwood Inclosure is a shady spot for picnics. Barbecue on site. Tel: 023 8028 3141.
By the seaside
36 On The Quay, Emsworth.
Michelin-starred restaurant in timber-framed 17th century building on the quayside with views of Emsworth Harbour. 47 South Street, Emsworth, PO10 7EG. Tel: 01243 375592.
Marina Jaks, Hayling Island.
Former chandler’s in a marina. Great views, atmosphere and seafood brought in by local fishermen. Tables outside, plus balcony with 360 degree views - can be booked. Sparkes Boatyard, 38 Wittering Road, Hayling Island, PO11 9SR.
Tel: 02392 469459.
Royal Oak, Langstone Harbour.
Charming waterside dining pub. There are seats out the front overlooking Langstone Harbour and an attractive garden. 19 Langstone High Street, Havant, PO9 1RY. Tel: 0239 248 3125.
The Ship, Langstone Harbour.
Originally an 18th century grain warehouse. There’s a terrace overlooking the harbour. Generous portions of reasonably priced food. Langstone Road, Havant, PO9 1RD. Tel: 0239 247 1719.
Waterfront Brasserie, Gun Wharf Quays, Portsmouth. Panoramic views of the Solent and Old Portsmouth Harbour from the restaurant and terrace. Reasonably priced, good quality food. Also bar menu. 9 North Promenade Buildings, Gun Wharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TA.
Tel: 02392 737827.
Banana Wharf, Ocean Village, Southampton. The tables are set out on the terrace almost to the water’s edge. Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, SO14 3JF. A new restaurant is also soon to open in Hamble. Tel: 02380 338866.
Pebble Beach, Barton-on-Sea.
Cliff-top restaurant with terrace and magnificent views to The Needles. Very relaxed atmosphere for such exceptional food. Marine Drive, Barton-on-Sea, BH25 7DZ. Tel: 01425 627777.
The George Hotel, Yarmouth.
Straight off the Ferry from Lymington. Lovely waterside garden. Brasserie has a French flavour, but uses local ingredients.
Quay Street, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, PO41 0PE. Tel: 01983 760331.
Spyglass, Ventnor.
Perched on the sea wall above the beach with tables on outside terrace overlooking the water. Esplanade, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1JX. Tel: 01983 855338.
Hambrough Hotel, Ventnor
This smart boutique hotel has wonderful sea views from its dining room. Emphasis on local ingredients. Hambrough Road,
Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1SQ.
Tel: 01983 856333.
By the river
Water Witch, Basingstoke Canal, Odiham. Idyllic spot at the end of a no-through road with big gardens dipping down to the Basingstoke Canal.
Colt Hill, London Road,
Odiham, RG29 1AL. Tel: 01256 702778.
Waters Edge Restaurant & Bar, Hamble. Scenic peaceful spot with unspoilt views across the River Hamble. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mercury Yacht Harbour, Satchell Lane, Hamble, SO31 4HQ. Tel: 02380 457220.
The Bush, Ovington. Old-fashioned country pub with secluded gardens on the banks of the Itchen.
Ovington, Near Alresford, SO24 0RE.
Tel: 01962 732764.
Mayfly, Testcombe. Idyllic location, terrace seems to float on the Test. Blackboard menus change daily.
Testcombe, near Fullerton, SO20 6AX.
Tel: 01264 860283.
The Greyhound Inn, Stockbridge. Chic country restaurant with garden alongside the Test where you can enjoy a picnic or an evening drink. 31 High Street,
Stockbridge, SO20 6EY.
Tel: 01264 810833.
The Three Cups, Stockbridge.
15th century coaching inn with delightful streamside gardens. Good value lunch and early evening menus. High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 6HB.
Tel: 01264 810527.
The Boot Inn, Houghton.
Real country local with friendly welcome, good food and lovely gardens running down to the Test. Houghton, near Stockbridge, SO20 6LF.
Tel: 01794 388310.
Master Builder’s House Hotel, Riverview Restaurant. Relaxed modern dining room with impressive menus and views over Beaulieu River. The Yachtsman Bar offers simpler food.
Buckers Hard, SO42 7XB.
Tel: 01590 616253.
The Ship Inn, Lymington.
Quayside pub with attractive yachting-inspired interior and terrace with views over Lymington River.
Quay Road, Lymington, SO41 3AY.
Tel: 01590 676903.
Folly, Cowes. Wonderful views from waterside terrace on the Medina estuary. Windows in the bar (which has a below decks feel) look out on the same view. Folly Lane, Cowes, PO32 6NB.
Tel: 01983 297171.
Glorious gardens
Heckfield Place, near Hook.
18th century manor house in 65 acres of parkland. The Cedar Lake restaurant has views over two lakes. There's a terrace for afternoon tea. Heckfield, Nook,
RG27 0LD. Tel: 0118 932 6868.
The New Cricketers, Turgis Green
Mediterranean-style terrace to enjoy dinner or a jug of Pimms. One worth watching - chef Michael Shaw has worked for both Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. Bottle Lane, Turgis Green, Stratfield Turgis, near Hook, RG27 0AH. Tel: 01256 882282.
Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke. Lovely new courtyard garden for dining, barbecues on
Sundays, afternoon tea or strawberries and jugs of Pimms. Centre Drive,
Great Binfields Road, Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8FY.
Tel: 01256 319700.
Dew Pond, Old Burghclere
16th century country house restaurant located on a narrow lane at the foot of Watership Down, with possibly the best countryside views of any restaurant in Hampshire. Delicious food.
Old Burghclere, RG20 9LH,
Tel: 01635 278408.
The Thomas Lord, West Meon. Characterful dining pub that uses only local produce. New country house garden and kitchen garden, plus Jamie Oliver style outside oven.
High Street, West Meon, GU32 1LN.
Tel: 01730 829244.
Lainston House, Sparsholt, new Winchester. 17th Century country house hotel with restaurant and terrace that must have one of the best views in Hampshire down a magnificent avenue of limes (the longest in England). Enjoy drinks in the newly restored kitchen garden prior to eating.?Woodman Lane,?Sparsholt,?Winchester, SO21 2LT.
Tel: 01962 776088.
Montagu Arms, Beaulieu, New Forest.
Take afternoon tea in the enchanting gardens of this romantic New Forest retreat. Beaulieu, SO42 7ZL.
Tel: 01590 612324.
Fleur de Lys, Pilley, New Forest.
Charming thatched pub, believed to be the oldest in the New Forest. Accomplished food, pretty garden with restored dovecote. Pilley Street, Pilley, SO41 5GQ. Tel: 01590 672158.
Crown Inn, Shorwell, near Newport, Isle of Wight. Delightful sheltered gardens with a little stream, trout-filled lake, and children’s play area.
Crown Inn, Shorwell, PO30 3JZ.
Tel: 01983 740293.
Sun, Hulverstone, Isle of Wight.
Thatched country pub with far-reaching views from the sunny garden.
Sun, Hulerstone, PO30 4EH.
Tel: 01983 741124.