The rolling chalk downs and lush agricultural valleys that have inspired so much great English literature still loom large over the county of Hampshire and still attract hikers and bikers, walkers and tourists to the region to this day. But Hampshire offers so much more than its downs, from the stunning cathedral city of Winchester to the world famous woodlands and heaths of the ancient New Forest. Sat on the south coast, Hampshire is also famous as being the birthplace of the Royal Navy and the maritime history of Portsmouth and Southampton is also one of the highlights of the region.
Indeed history is everywhere across the county, Hampshire having been attracting visitors to its chalk down lands since before the Neolithic era (as evidenced by the numerous forts such as the one at Winklebury.) It has also been invaded by the Romans, the Jutes, the Saxons and the Normans. After the Norman conquest the county became popular with the Norman Kings who declared the New Forest a hunting forest. From the 12th century onwards the ports grew in importance and fishing and shipbuilding joined the already established wool and cloth trades as the chief economies of the county. As such there are hundreds of historic sites to visit, particularly the castles and forts constructed over the centuries to defend the Solent region. These include the Roman built Portchester Castle, watching over Portsmouth harbor, and forts built by Henry VIII such as Netley Castle, Calshot Castle, and Hurst Castle at the mouth of the Solent. Other historic sites include Southampton docks, which have welcomed ships from the Mayflower to the Titanic, and the Royal Navy Harbour at Portsmouth.
Ultimately though, people come to Hampshire for the incredible variety of attractions and scenery, from the seaside resorts, the national parks of the South Downs and the New Forest, the wonderful motor museum at Beaulieu, and the stunning cathedral at Winchester. From Southsea Castle to the Isle of Wight, Hampshire has simply too much to see!
Portsmouth Pyramids, Portsmouth2011 and has been a triumphant year for twenty-three year old Ben Howard. With catchy single "The Wolves" he caught the attention of potential fans away from his growing fan base in Devon and Cornwall - Howard being both a Totnes resident and former Falmouth University student - due to extensive plays on both national radio and TV. Through this song he proved that comparisons to the lengendary John Martyn was just, but also that he should not be dismissed as just another new folk act on the scene. Debut album "Every Kingdom, released just last November, is sure to place him firmly in the publi…
Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion, BournemouthAchieving second place on ITV's The X Factor in 2009, Olly Murs debut single named Please Don't Let Me Go' hit the top spot on the UK's Singles Chart, and his second single Thinking of Me reached number four. Of Latvian descent, Olly signed a joint deal between Epic Records and Syco Music in 2010, and will shortly be co-presenting the eighth series of The Xtra Factor, the companion show to the X Factor.…
With their meticulously crafted instrumentals and tight harmonies, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac bring back to the masses the classic hits of the legendary Fleetwood Mac.…
Bournemouth International Centre and Pavillion, BournemouthThe jaw-dropping show that rocked Britain’s Got Talent, Circus of Horrors will take you on a whirlwind journey and send shivers down your spine with twisted contortionists, hair hanging beauties, flying aerialists, sword swallowers and its latest and greatest star: The Ventriloquist. This was the Roaring Twenties, a decedent decade that saw the birth of the Cabaret. Set in Berlin in 1921, one particular venue was struggling to make ends meet, new blood was needed and it was found when Dr. Haze rolled into town with his Vampire Vaudeville show, featuring hair hanging beauties, twisted contor…
Liverpool-based indie rock band The Wombats formed in 2003 when three of the band members met one-another at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. The lads found a common interest in music and started to jam together, releasing their debut single Girls, Boys, and Marsupials in 2006. Best-known for their catchy hit Moving to New York, The Wombats have gained national and international recognition, with a numerous world tours performances under their belt and their first album, The Wombats Proudly Present: A Guide to Love Loss & Desperation, reaching number 11 in the UK Albums Chart.…
The Guildhall, PortsmouthAlthough best known through their seat in Alternative Music's class of 2005, Kaiser Chiefs originally began life as the less successful Parva in 1996. Their reinvention a decade later saw them take the country by storm, and with the combined song writing talents of Nick Hodgson and the natural stage presence of front-man Ricky Wilson they showed that they were a force to be taken seriously - despite their tongue-in-cheek attitude and songs such 'Everyday I Love you Less and Less'. After Mercury nominated debut 'Employment' the band went on to three more album, their latest - 'The Future is Med…
English singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist 'Paul Carrack' has seen major music success as a band member and solo performer since the 1970s. Playing with 'Ace', 'Roxy Music' 'Squeeze', 'Mike and the Mechanics' he has also released 15 solo albums between 1980 and 2010. His latest release was 'A Different Hat' which featured his solo performance alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.…
Portsmouth Guildhall, PortsmouthRebecca Ferguson, a singer songwriter from Liverpool first caught public's eye in 2010 when she was fighting her way to the stars in the popular star search show The X Factor, where she finished as a runner-up. Her astonishing vocal abilities and unique character quickly gained the sympathy of the public. Overtly shy, but incredibly talented, Rebecca Ferguson prophesied her success with the first audition song she performed: "The Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. Not winning the title didn't stop her from pursuing her dream to perform. Her debut single "Nothing's Real but Love", which she co…
Wedgewood Rooms, PortsmouthEnglish Folk musician Seth Lakeman was born and raised in Devon and along with his brothers Sam and Sean has played a variety of instruments and recorded folk music in their own band first of all. Seth's solo career was launched in 2002 when he released his debut album 'The Punch Bowl' to much critical acclaim. Subsequent album releases were; 'Kitty Jay' in 2004, 'Freedom Fields' in 2006, 'Poor man's Heaven' in 2008 and 'Hearts and Mind's' in 2010. Seth's instrumental range includes vocals, banjo, fiddle, viola and guitar.…
Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth, BournemouthThree times Olivier Award nominated and now a global internet sensation, Fascinating Aïda are still Britain's best comedy cabaret trio. This brand new show will include several numbers hot off the press, plus a few old favourites including their infamous anthem to budget travel, Cheap Flights (6 million plus hits on YouTube) as well as The Dogging Song, a fond homage to the joys of al fresco sex.…
BEN HOWARDTuesday, 14 February 2012Live music/Pop And Rock event at Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth, Hampshire. To watch BEN HOWARD live at Pyramids Centre on the Tuesday, 14 February 2012, check out our list of primary and secondary ticket providers and compare the best ticket prices.
Other concerts, music and gigs in Hampshire are:
Olly Murs15 Feb, BournemouthOlly Murs16 Feb, BournemouthLive Jazz Sunday Lunch19 Feb, PetersfieldPaul Carrack24 Feb, BasingstokeLive And Unsigned Auditions Portsmouth25 Feb, PortsmouthRebecca Ferguson28 Feb, PortsmouthSeth Lakeman29 Feb, PortsmouthinME1 Mar, SouthamptonThe Wanted2 Mar, BournemouthFlorence and the Machine4 Mar, Bournemouth
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Sport in Hampshire
Ferneham HallOur spotlight theatre/performing arts centre of the week is Ferneham Hall, located in Fareham. See what shows and performances are on this week at Ferneham Hall.
Other theatres and performing arts venues in Hampshire are:
Mayflower TheatrePrinces HallSouthampton GuildhallThe AnvilThe GuildhallThe Nuffield Theatre
Blue Reef AquariumWelcome to Blue Reef Aquarium in Southsea, Portsmouth, voted Visitor Attraction of the Year by Tourism South East. Blue Reef is part of an exciting new generation of wildlife attractions designed to inspire deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Open-top tanks allow close en…Location: Portsmouth
Some other fun family days out in Hampshire are:
Royal Navy Submarine MuseumFurzey GardensSolent Sky MuseumRoyal Hampshire Regiment MuseumCharles Dickens Birthplace MuseumExbury Gardens and Steam RailwaySouthampton Maritime MuseumFinkley Down Farm ParkGilbert White House and Oates MuseumMuseum of ArchaeologyNew Forest Museum and Visitor CentreAldershot Military MuseumPortsmouth Historic DockyardEastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway
Calshot CastleCalshot castle was built by Henry VIII in 1539, as part of his chain of defences along the English south coast. At the time invasions were feared from either the French or Spanish navies and the Castle was built on a shingle spit close to the deep water channel at the mouth of Southampton Water.…Location: Southampton
Some other notable historic attractions in Hampshire are:
Basing HouseEastney Beam Engine HouseAldershot Military MuseumBraxton GardensGilbert White House and Oates MuseumTitchfield AbbeyBreamore HouseSouthsea CastleAction StationsRoyal Hampshire Regiment MuseumSammy Miller Motorcycle MuseumMuseum of ArchaeologyBeaulieu AbbeyBeaulieu Palace House
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By Amanda ArnoldMadonna fans wait with baited breath for her forthcoming new album which precedes her 2012 world tour.
By Amanda ArnoldPlan B has decided to set up an umbrella charity to help problem street kids.
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War Horse review and puppeteer interviewAs Stephen Spielberg’s eagerly anticipated film War Horse hits the screens in January, BritEvents’ Lucy Middleton reviews the original, ever popular West End show that inspired it, interviewing seasoned puppeteer, Emily Cooper, to discuss the show’s success.
René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle reviewAs the largest Magritte exhibition the UK has ever seen, Tate Liverpool's René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle consists of over 100 paintings, 50 sketches, prints and several rare delights. It is an incredibly ambitious project undertaken by the gallery and one that long-time appreciator of Magritte, Lucy Middleton, had to see for herself.
Stratford upon Avon's Butterfly FarmNestled in a quiet spot of Stratford-Upon-Avon, just a five minute walk from the town centre is the UK's largest tropical butterfly farm which boasts over 1500 free-flying butterflies at any given time. Drawn in by these intriguing creatures, BritEvent's Lucy Middleton visited the Butterfly Farm.
Famous British horsesSince 4000 BC, man and horse have interacted in a wide variety of sports, recreational pursuits and work, and to this day they feature in many areas of our lives. We seek out the most famous British horses in British history.
