English Tourism Week 2024: Supporting tourism, the heart of our communities

It’s English Tourism Week from 15 to 24 March 2024 – an annual celebration of the wonderful tourism sector across the country.

Led by VisitEngland, English Tourism Week celebrates our diverse, exciting and vibrant sector, and highlights the quality and value of English tourism.

The theme for 2024 is ‘Supporting tourism, the heart of our communities’, so we’ve taken the opportunity to highlight some of the brilliant destinations, events, and tourism businesses here in Hampshire that have community at their heart.

Market towns and villages

Community is at the core of Hampshire’s market towns and villages, welcoming residents and visitors alike into their local shops, pubs, and restaurants and embracing traditions through vibrant events, markets, and festivals throughout the year.

Hampshire market towns include Alresford, famed for its watercress heritage, where pretty pastel Georgian houses are interspersed with specialist shops.

On the New Forest coast, Lymington is another Georgian gem, with its sailing charm floating from its two marinas into the town’s shops and restaurants lining the cobbled streets.

In the Test Valley, Stockbridge High Street promenades prettily above the flowing river below with local cafes and restaurants serving up local food sourced from the lush surroundings.

Find out more about towns in Hampshire
Find out more about villages in Hampshire

Local restaurants, pubs, and cafes

From bistros to bars and pubs to cafes, Hampshire’s eateries serve up delicious food whilst bringing people together.

Top local pubs in Hampshire include The Thomas Lord in West Meon, The Peat Spade Inn near Stockbridge, The Watership Down Inn in Whitchurch, The Wykeham Arms in Winchester, the Jolly Sailor in Hamble, and the Royal Oak in Fritham famed for its local produce ploughman’s.

For a cuppa and cake, try Hampshire cafes like Kimbridge Barn on the River Test, The Winchester Bakery, Long Barn in Alresford, and Southsea Coffee Co.

Find out more about restaurants in Hampshire
Find out more about pubs in Hampshire
Find out more about cafes in Hampshire
10 delicious places to go for a cuppa and cake in Hampshire

Independent shops and markets

Independent shops are an integral part of Hampshire’s identity, distinguishing the places in which they’re located and providing a local and unique shopping experience.

Markets come to towns across Hampshire every week, filling the streets with diverse stalls selling everything from food to hand-crafted creations and bringing with them a convivial community atmosphere.

Find out more about shopping and markets in Hampshire

Local food and drink

Local food and drink are the pride of Hampshire and there is plenty to tuck into whilst supporting local producers and communities.

Hampshire Fare is the county’s local food group which champions top quality food and drink in Hampshire and has a local produce guide.

Hampshire Farmers' Markets regularly bring vibrant and friendly sights, smells, and tastes to towns across the county.

Hampshire Farm Shops like Sunnyfields near Southampton and Durleighmarsh Farm Shop near Petersfield are great places to pick up seasonal and local produce.

Local breweries like the Steam Town Brew Co in Eastleigh reflect the county’s growing craft beer scene.

Find out more about local produce in Hampshire

Communities in the cities

It’s not just in the towns and villages of Hampshire that communities thrive, the county’s cities also love to celebrate their unique heritage, cultures, and communities.  

With history at every turn, England’s ancient city of Winchester has always been a melting pot for communities throughout the ages and today is no different. The city is filled with diverse independent shops and restaurants and hosts regular events including the Winchester Hat Fair (the UK’s longest-running festival of outdoor arts), and the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market.

In Southampton, Guildhall Square is the Cultural Quarter of the City and hub for live music and events, surrounded by the O2 Guildhall, Southampton City Art Gallery, SeaCity Museum, and MAST Mayflower Studios.

Portsmouth’s Southsea has traditional British waterfront charm, with a fresh air of trendiness brought by the increasing number of independent shops and eateries that now reside in this special slice of seaside England.

Bringing people together through festivals and events

Festivals and events bring people together in a very special way and we’re proud to have such a diverse range of festivals taking place in the county celebrating our cultural heritage and communities.

From foodie fiestas like the Lymington Seafood Festival, Alresford Watercress Festival, and The Big Eat at Royal Victoria Country Park to the outdoor arts of the Winchester Hat Fair and Asian culture celebrations of the Southampton Mela.

Find out more about festivals in Hampshire

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