If you fancy a day out of Sussex and want to explore places close by for Mother’s day there are a few options to get out of the City and travel to one of our nearby neighbours. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, cars or even considering a move and want to nosey at the homes in Hampshire you won’t be disappointed. Hampshire is a county with a wide variety of shopping destinations and one that can accommodate almost every need and desire.
City shopping
Hampshire is home to both Southampton and Portsmouth, both port cities with inner city shopping areas. With all the shops you would expect to find in UK city centres, plus independent stores and local specialties, there is plenty to get excited about. Southampton’s West Quay and Portsmouth’s Gunwahrf Quays are the main precincts but stroll around and there is plenty more to discover.
If you’re in the market for a boat, then you’ve come to the right place too. Both cities have marinas or harbours and with sailing in the blood in this part of the world, you know you’ll be getting the best money can buy.
Town shopping
The smaller towns of Winchester and Basingstoke also offer a lot in the way of shops. Modern Basingstoke’s Festival Place has lots of offer and historic Winchester, with its boutiques and galleries is also well worth exploring.
Markets
Of course, Hampshire is very much an agricultural county, meaning there are loads of great markets to choose from. Fruit and veg markets, as well as seasonal and farmers markets, are dotted across the county. However, you should try and check out the ones in Alton on Tuesdays, and Petersfield on Wednesday and Saturday.
As well as these, the Test Valley has its share of markets, including ones found at Romsey, Stockbridge and Andover.
Across the county, you will find charming villages and towns, each with their own character and charm. Many of these will still have small shopping areas and even local specialist shops.
Ask around in each town and you’ll find a selection of great butchers, bakers and grocers where you can pick up the finest local produce. Although Hampshire has embraced the modern world, it also still retains a lot of its tradition too, so it’s worth speaking to locals about the best places to go.
However you want to spend your hard earned cash, you can find somewhere to do it in Hampshire. Also, at only around an hour to London either by rail or in the car, you’re never far away from one of the world’s best shopping destinations.
