Legendary British sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston departs UK for highly anticipated return to solo ocean racing

45 years after becoming the first man to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968/69, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, now aged 75, is the oldest skipper competing in the 3,500 mile transatlantic solo classic Route du Rhum race, starting from St Malo, France, in early November. On Wednesday 22nd October the famous Clipper Round the […]



Photos of scenic Hampshire



Tourism in Winchester hits record high and defies national trends

Winchester City Council and Tourism South East, founding members of the local Destination Management Partnership, have released the latest figures relating to tourism performance in Winchester and the results show that the value of tourism has risen by 42% in five years, adding £100m to the local economy. Over the last five years Winchester’s performance […]



Special festive guest joins artists at Winter Open Studios

A very special guest will be in residency at The Sorting Office when it throws open its doors for its annual Winter Open Studios. Father Christmas and his little helpers will visit the bustling studios where a traditional Winter Wonderland grotto, created by The Sorting Office’s designer-makers and artists, will magically appear. The Sorting Office […]



Flying birds and falconry fun at October Half Term

Children can come within a mouse’s whisker of a Long-eared Owl, duck as Snowy Owl swoops overhead and don a falconer’s gauntlet to hold a beautiful Barn Owl in the Half Term holidays at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. There are more than 150 birds of prey to be seen at the Trust, from Little Owls […]



Exbury Nerines set to shine this autumn

Exbury’s unrivalled collection of sparkling Nerine sarniensis or ‘Jewel Lilies’ will be on public show at Exbury Gardens throughout October. Not to be confused with the outdoor pink Nerine bowdenii, (which can also be viewed at Exbury) these autumn-flowering bulbs once received the accolade as “the greatest Empress of the Flowery World”. Lionel de Rothschild […]



Sparsholt College receive British Council Connecting Classrooms funding

Sparsholt College has received funding from the British Council to support ongoing work with its link-school in The Gambia. The Connecting Classrooms funding of £3,000 will enable teaching staff at Sparsholt and Mingdaw School in The Gambia to benefit from each country’s education system and teaching methods whilst also learning about an entirely different culture. […]



Southampton heritage assets to shine in open weekend

The jewels in Southampton’s heritage crown will be open for visitors over Heritage Open Weekend on Sat 13 September. Organised by the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust (S&DTHT), The Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery (FoSOC) and SS Shieldhall, Saturday will see a free heritage bus service link various heritage sites within the City. These […]



New cultural network for creative Winchester

Winchester City Council is inviting local artists and creative businesses to the inaugural meeting of a new Cultural Network for the District hosted by Mayor of Winchester Cllr Eileen Berry. The meeting takes place on Monday 15 September at 6:30pm at Abbey House. The creation of a local network was a key recommendation in the […]



Big Lottery Fund backs Taste of Wickham

The ‘Taste of Wickham’ Organising Team has announced today that its application for a Big Lottery Fund grant has been successful. The festival, which will take place in Wickham’s famous medieval square on Sunday 14 September from 10am-4pm, will showcase local producers, restaurants, shops, salons and services. More than 45 stalls will line the perimeter […]