The Area
Nursery Cottage is located in the hamlet of East Tytherley in the beautiful valley of the River Test, which winds its way from the north to the south of Hampshire.
The area is rich in local attractions with the historic cathedral cities of Salisbury and Winchester, the ancient capital of Wessex, all within a half hour drive. The busy port of Southampton, world famous for its boat show, and the New Forest are similar driving times away.
The nearest town is Romsey a busy market town with an historic abbey and Broadlands House, home of the late Lord Mountbatten of Burma. Paulton's Theme Park with its rides and animal attractions is close by - a great day out for all the family.
To the West is the town of Salisbury with it's famous cathedral and many ancient hillforts and monuments in the surrounding countryside like Stonehenge, a World Heritage site.
To the north you will find Stockbridge, the home of salmon fishing on the River Test. This fascinating village with its unusually wide high street has many interesting and individual shops and a selection of pubs and cafes. Close by is Mottisfont Abbey with its famous collection of roses and huge Plane tree.
Half an hour by car to the south west is the recently designated National Park of The New Forest. Famous for the ponies which roam freely it is a beautiful area of woodlands and heath supporting a diverse wildlife. There are many paths and bridleways suitable for horse riding, walking and mountain biking. It also has a number of historic villages and places of interest including Lyndhurst, the capital, Beaulieu home of Lord Montague and his world famous car collection or Lymington with its pretty harbour and ferry for the Isle of Wight.
Locally
For those who wish to take up more local pursuits there are a plethora of beautiful and interesting local walks and bike trails in unspoilt countryside. Bentley wood is famous for its butterflies as are Broughton and Stockbridge down.
Of course there is the river Test and its tributaries, one of the most coveted chalk fishing areas in the world. Take a stroll by the river or if you advise us well before your visit we can arrange (at your expense!) for a day fishing a beat. For those not into the fishing try a visit to Mottisfont Abbey, take a picnic in the grounds or use the restaurant on site.
Evening time, well there's a great choice of local pubs, from the Gastro pub to the traditional local.
To sum up
We are so lucky to live in such a beatiful part of England, with so much of diverse interest around, you will want to come back to sample more. The countryside and interests change with the seasons bringing their own beauty for you to enjoy.