Around the Local Area

Things to do

Clients travelling long distances to us may wish to explore the local area if their pet has to stay in our hospital for a few hours for tests.

Winchester, which is only a 15-minute drive away, is a historic city with a beautiful cathedral and pedestrianised shopping area. It has a strong military history with excellent museums on the King’s Royal Hussars, Royal Hampshire Regiment, Light Infantry, Royal Green Jackets, Gurkhas and the Adjutant General’s Corps.

On the outskirts of the city there is also Wolvesey Castle and Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium; an international science and technology centre.

Alternatively, it is possible to walk along the river in Winchester, picnic on the water meadows or visit properties such as Broadlands (home of Lord Mountbatten), Mottisfont Abbey, Hillier’s arboretum (Ampfield), Hinton Ampner house (Itchen Abbas). If large malls are your thing, West Quay shopping centre is also around half an hour drive away in Southampton.

Some of the following links may be useful:

Winchester Cathedral

Places to eat and stay

Whether you are after a quick bite to eat whilst you are in the area or a place to stay, the following are very close to us.

In the pretty village of Hursley just a couple of minutes’ drive away, turning left as you leave us, you can find; The King's Head, A traditional Georgian coaching inn offering a bar, restaurant and rooms www.kingsheadhursley.co.uk and The Dolphin, a 16th-century inn with a large garden, serving food www.dolphinhursley.co.uk/index

5 minutes further in the same direction in the village of Ampfield is The Potters Heron Hotel, which has a restaurant, bar and rooms www.potters-heron.co.uk

A few minutes’ drive in the other direction is the village of Otterbourne, where you can find The Old Forge, a traditional village pub serving food all day www.theoldforgeotterbourne.co.uk

Five minutes drive away is the lovely Bay Leaves Larder, a small coffee shop that offers fresh ethically sourced coffee, speciality flavoured teas, breakfasts, light lunches and homemade cakes. They also have a fully licensed bar with drinks from local Hampshire providers. Bay Leaves Larder - Bay Leaves Larder