Five things to do in West Sussex & Hampshire

Base camp is the newly-refurbished Goodwood Hotel on the Goodwood Estate and our four other suggestions crisscross over the county boundaries of West Sussex and Hampshire - or as we locals tend to call it, the county triangle!

With starting room rates from just GBP110 for bed and breakfast and a wide range of special packages, you can also choose to “add on” some speciat treats to enjoy the extensive activites on the Estate - perhaps take to the skies on a bi-plane, dip into their spa, take a punt on the horses at Glorious Goodwood or take a turn behind the wheel on the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

Given a new look by talented interior designer, Cindy Leveson, the intent has been to give the rooms the look and feel of Goodwood House, making guests feel “at home”. Historic photographs and books from the library are carefully placed in each room and if that has whetted your appetite for all things historic, then why not book a tour of Goodwood House itself, the second of my suggestions?

The House tours operate on a Sunday and Monday 1pm - 5pm until 15^th October 2012. Entry costs GBP9.50 for adults and GBP4.00 children aged 12-18. To top off your visit, take afternoon tea in the Ballroom - served between 2pm – 4.30pm with prices starting at GBP4.00. Pourquoi pas?

Credit Tim Imrie

From 5th - 30th August, the House will be open Sunday to Thursdays to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Summer Exhibition will look at Goodwood’s royal heritage and how it is represented in the art collection.

Suggestion three is an easy drive over to the charming village of Chawton in Hampshire to immerse yourself in the literary world of Jane Austen by visiting her cottage which is now a museum. The Jane Austen House Museum, with entry around GBP7.50 for adults, shows daily life as it would have been for the novelist.

Jane sat at her writing desk, by the window, watching the world go by … and recording it in her novels, quickly hiding her manuscript if callers came to the house for writing was not a profession for gentlewomen in her day.

To replenish depleted batteries, drive over to another picturesque Hampshire village and head for The Queens at Selborne. Service is fast and friendly and the food, delicious (or it was when I last visited) and well priced.

Replete, stroll down the road to the Gilbert White House & Garden and wander through the home and outstanding gardens of this noted natural historian. A keen gardener, Gilbert White was one of the first people to study living birds and animals in their natural habitat which was unusual at the time. An added treat, adjoining this museum is the Captain Oates Collection - the Oates of the ill fated but so heroic Scott of the Antartic expedition. Entry for adults is GBP8.50 for both exhibits.