Local Attractions

Things to do and see in the local area

Here we list various local attractions, activities and places of interest around Stockbridge and the local area, please share any recommendations with us so that we can pass them on to other visitors.

Food & Drink

In the High Street

Our High Street is renowned for its variety of food & drink, craft shops, specialist rural sporting shops and timeless ambience. Browse at your leisure!

The White Hart

A Fuller’s pub which retains an excellent mix of good beer and food, with take away Fish & Chips if you fancy. For early risers they also do a full breakfast service if prebooked the night before, so no need to cook in the morning, just stroll down and have breakfast.

The Black Bean

A lovely Thai restaurant, run with passion by the owners, who bring something different to our rural surroundings.

Lillie’s

Tearooms and a refuge on a rainy day. It is right by the gate for the pathway down to the Common Marsh and serves traditional English Cream Tea fare. They will also give children supplies of stale bread to throw to the ducks and trout in the streams flowing through the High Street.

Beccy’s Greengrocers

Fresh produce of a wide variety, beautifully presented.

John Robinson, Family Butchers

Proper Family Butchers, excellent quality and range, super staff and delicious food. They also provide  a full BBQ service for functions, highly recommended. If you need advice or help with storage or preparation of game during your stay, go into the shop and have a chat.

Thyme & Tides

High class Deli, Bistro and Fishmongers, excellent produce and service, always busy.

The  Three Cups

Excellent pub and restaurant with consistently high levels of quality and service, lovely garden out the back with stream running alongside, just the place to be on a summer afternoon.

The Greyhound

Very classy Award Winning food experience with a rear garden looking over a weir of the River Test.

Wine Utopia

Rachel Gibson’s newly opened shop, advising on and selling a great range of wonderful wines, to suit all tastes and pockets. Rachel always gives excellent guidance and our “special occaision” purchases from her over the years have been exceptionally good. She does free deliveries too…..

Stokes of Stockbridge

The old Stokes’s Motor Garage beautifully refurbished and now a top class Wine Bar, Coffee Shop & Restaurant, the upstairs rooms reputed to have been used by Lillie Langtry……

The Stockbridge Purbani

Indian Food of invariably good quality, to eat in or take away, often a life-saver after a long day.

The Grosvenor

The classic frontage of Stockbridge High Street, the Hotel offers bars, a good restaurant and function rooms, as well as being home to the Houghton Fishing Club.

A little further afield up and down the Test Valley

The Peat Spade

Just up the valley at Leckford, in walking distance from Firs Lodge via the Test Way and The Bunny, a 15 minute stroll. Award winning restaurant and cosy bar, recommended.

The Mayfly

Further up the valley at Fulflood, a longer walk up the Test Way. Superb location right alongside a main section of the River Test, good food and drink in an idyllic spot.

The Boot

Down the valley at Houghton, just off the Clarendon Way, good food and a long garden down to the river. A proper Pub.

The John O’ Gaunt

A reasonable walk directly down the Test Way, past the Common Marsh, Marsh Court and over the Clarendon Way. Recently taken over by the locals and re-opened, a classic english village pub at Horsebridge with good food and beer.

The Tally Ho

Over at Broughton, a 10 minute drive from Stockbridge, another proper country pub.

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Places of Interest

Danebury Hill Fort

Well worth a visit, it is a stiff walk to the very top of the ramparts but the views are spectacular from there, and it is a good way to get some fresh air.

The Museum of Army Flying

One of our favourites, there is always something new to see, and plenty to keep children occupied, also has a restaurant if you need a snack.

Houghton Lodge Gardens

Spectacular country house and gardens, well worth a visit but do check opening times.

Mottisfont Abbey

Wonderful National Trust owned property with great history and architecture, rose gardens and riverside lawns, great for a leisurely wander around.

Longstock Park Water Gardens

Part of the Leckford Estate owned by the John Lewis Partnership, a wonderful water garden worth a visit at any time of year.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust

A woodland setting with some fantastic birds on display and in action, just off the A303 between Andover & Thruxton

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

On the Braishfield road north of Romsey, this world famous arboretum and garden is open all year round, and is home to many wonderful species of plant.

Treerunners

High Ropes activities for all ages in Harewood Forest, if you fancy swinging through the trees like Tarzan……..

Winchester City Centre

Ancient capital of Wessex, the centre of Winchester has many fascinating historic features, and a visit to the Cathedral is highly recommended.

Salisbury City Centre

Salisbury is another ancient regional centre with a wonderful heritage including of course the impressive Cathedral, Old Sarum, and a little further afield, Stonehenge.

Romsey Town Centre

Romsey is a classic english market town, and retains much of its character to this day. The imposing Norman Abbey and 13th Century St Johns House are highlights, and the Broadlands Estate, home of the late Lord Louis Mountbatten lies to the south of the town, with the River Test running along the front of this magnificent stately home.

Andover Town Centre

Despite major development in the outskirts of Andover, the centre of the town still has its historic market town which is worth a visit, and there are also cinema’s and children’s play centres should you need a diversion on a rainy day.

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Walks and Views

Clarendon Way

Situated as we are in the centre of the Test Valley, it is not far down the valley to the crossing point of the Clarendon Way as it traverses Hampshire to join Winchester and Salisbury. The Test Way cross the Clarendon Way at Houghton, and it is a quite idyllic spot with complete peace in the middle of the river valley as you cross over various bridges, looking down at the clear chalk stream water below.

The Test Way

From Firs Lodge here in Stockbridge you can walk straight to the Test Way and turn either north or south and go as far as you wish to. Alternatively you can drive to one of the many intermediate car parks along the Way, and start at a point further away, for a different part of the route.

Stockbridge Common Marsh

It is very easy to take The Marsh for granted as it is so close to Stockbridge and Firs Lodge, however, whether you stroll down the Test Way, cut between Lillie’s and Garden Inn or park at the Lions Den, the Marsh is a wonderful place to take a walk at any time of day. Whether you stay up at the Stockbridge end with the river and footbridges, or venture down to the southern end with the beautiful Lutyens designed Marsh Court overlooking the valley, the Marsh is always a relaxing place to walk.

Stockbridge Down

Although you either have to walk up the main Winchester Road or drive up and park in the carpark, a trip up to the Down is recommended as the views from the top are spectacular, looking across to Danebury Ring and Salisbury Plain to the west, the Isle of Wight to the south, and over towards the South Downs to the east.

Stonehenge

The atmospheric centrepiece of mystical Salisbury Plain. It is a though provoking place to visit at any time of year, rising so unexpectedly out of the rolling grassland of the Plain. A short car journey down the A303, there are many other remarkable Neolithic and Iron Age site within a short distance of Stockbridge.

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Sporting activities

Fishing

Test Valley Fly Fishing School

If you would like to learn or brush up on your fishing skills, here is some very able assistance

Timsbury Fishing

Just down the valley, fish on the River Test.

Fishing Breaks

Local specialists in chalk stream fishing, whether you want tuition, guiding, father & son days or corporate activities on the Test.

John O’Gaunts Fishery

Not far from the John O’Gaunt pub, excellent fishery right in the middle of the valley.

Shooting

The Spitfire Shoot

Just outside Stockbridge, well set up facilities for all levels of skill

Compton Manor

With Acorn Shooting On the Compton Manor Estate near Kings Sombourne

Lains Shooting School

Near Thruxton Race Circuit, a wide range of stands and a welcoming environment

Horseriding

Stockbridge Riding School

Just up the hill towards Winchester, rides available for all levels of skill

 Golf

The Hampshire Golf Club

Up the valley towards Andover, a 10 minute car ride from Firs Lodge.

South Winchester Golf Club

Over at Winchester, lovely downland course just outside the southern edge of the city.

Royal Winchester Golf Club

Established in 1888, on the western side of the city, another beautiful course.

Hockley Golf Club

On the Twyford road out of Winchester, where grandfather Bert Campbell famously drove his new Peugeot into a bunker he didn’t see……..

Leckford Golf Club

Owned by the John Lewis Partnership, and principally for the use of Partners, non-members and societies should contact the Club to discuss playing.

Golf Range – Sussex Golf Consultants

Monxton Road, Grately, 01264 889256

Motorsport

Thruxton Motor Racing Circuit

One of the fastest tracks in the UK, with many different activities available, including track days, Karting as well as top line race meetings including BTCC and Superbikes. From Firs Lodge Thruxton is a 15 minute drive through the lanes or along the A303.

Ballooning

Details to follow

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Kids Activities

Play Centres
15 minutes drive down the Test Valley to Romsey, good fun for smaller kids.

Jungle Jungle15 minutes drive up the Test Valley to Andover, good fun for smaller kids.

Peppa Pig World

The little ones have a great time…….25 minutes drive from Firs Lodge.

Legoland Windsor

45 minutes up the M3 towards London from Firs Lodge.

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