Bottom Pond

With Winchester (10 minutes’ drive) an easy drive away, it's easy to mix a bit of city time in with your country break. The 17th-century Winchester Cathedral (10 minutes) has a medieval library and a Norman crypt. You might also want to pay a visit to The Great Hall (15 minutes), which has a medieval round table rumoured to be connected to King Arthur. After visiting some historical sites, it might be time to get some hikes under your belt. There are over 100 steps leading to the top of St. Catherine's Hill (five minutes), which overlooks a gorgeous river valley. Winnall Moors Nature Reserve (10 minutes) in Winchester has flatter terrain. The longest walk, which is four and a half miles long, passes by water meadows and a river. If hiking sounds a little too intense for your lazy-day plans, head to Marwell Zoo (five minutes), a huge animal park that's home to meerkats, tigers, giraffes and other exotic beasts. A steam-powered ride on the Watercress Line (15 minutes) from Alresford makes a great day out too, with a a museum and heritage signal box to see before you board your train.