What's nearby
fancy venturing further afield?
Check out the beautiful counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset.
We have compiled some places that we feel are a must to see:
Salisbury – 9 miles
This beautiful medieval city with its Gothic 13th Cathedral and its 404 ft spire is home to the Magna Carta. It sits on the confluence of the rivers Nadder, Ebble, Wylye and Bourne.
Top pick for dining– Charter 1227
Winchester – 18 miles
This lovely former capital of England with fascinating historic interest. It has a stunning cathedral and the city is a delight to meander around.
Top pick for dining – Rick Steins
Romsey – 9 miles
A fine example of a market town sitting on the banks of the River Test, one of the finest trout and salmon rivers in Europe. Medieval streets cluster around the magnificent Norman Abbey and the stately home of Broadlands is within walking distance.
Top pick for dining – Three Tuns Romsey
Stockbridge – 7 miles
Lying in the heart of the Test Valley the wide picturesque Stockbridge High Street reflects its early role as part of a drovers road where it was common to see flocks of sheep being driven through the town on route from Wales. Strongly recommended for browsing.
Top pick for dining – The Greyhound, Woodfire and many coffee shops, slightly further a field is the Peat Spade.
New Forest – 12 miles
Wild horses won’t be able to drag you away from the New Forest once you’ve experienced its peace and fallen in love with the forest’s idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland and cliff top walks.
Top pick for dining – The Pig, Brockenhurst.
South Coast – 30 miles
There is a lovely stretch of coastline, which runs from Lepe around to Bournemouth and beyond. With various beaches and ports such as Lymington where you can catch a ferry to the IOW. Endless places to visit from Exbury Gardens to Studland Bay and the Isle of Purbeck.
Top pick for dining – Pebble beach, Barton on Sea
Farm shops, Markets and Deli’s
Our local village shop, West Tytherley
Broughton buffalo Farm
Kimbridge Farm Shop
Cholderton Farm Shop
Romsey, Salisbury and Winchester Farmer’s Markets
Leckford Farm Shop (Waitrose)
Thyme and Tides (Deli) Stockbridge
Local village shop
Thyme and Tides
Waitrose farm shop
Local Shops
West Tytherley (also sells wine, previously featured.)
Stylish Stockbridge **Strongly Recommended**
No stay at Bentley’s is complete without a visit to stylish Stockbridge, one of the smallest towns in the UK, with a population of less than 600, according to the 2011 Census. Don’t be deceived though, although it has a small number of residents it does pack a punch!
We suggest allowing half a day to browse the exclusive independent shops and galleries and then to graze in an assortment of eateries whilst people watching/chilling out.
Alternatively, if you are feeling energetic, hire our bikes taking one of our recommended quiet circular road routes with Stockbridge as your halfway lunch stop. The Hampshire scenery out and inbound is breath taking.
You may well spot your ideal supper destination whilst you are there!
For anglers, due to its hatchery south of the town and many channels, Stockbridge is renowned for trout fishing. One of the UK’s most exclusive clubs, described by Country Life as the dream of every fly-fisher, with exclusive fishing rights over 13 miles of prime trout breeding and fishing waters, the Houghton Fishing Club founded in 1822, for many years met socially at The Grosvenor Hotel, a current landmark by its prominent jutting out into the pavement.
Don’t worry too much if you don’t get to take in Stockbridge, it will be a brilliant excuse to come back to Bentley’s!!
More of Stockbridge
Stockbridge
Fishing
Further fishing
Pubs
Bentley’s top picks ……..
Black Horse, West Tytherley (20 minute walk to the village or 5 minute bike ride)
Tally Ho, Broughton (10 mins)
The Peat Spade, Longstock (15 mins)
The Rockingham Arms, Wellow (20 mins)
Best of the rest……….
Greyhound, Broughton (10 mins)
The Star Inn, East Tytherley (5 mins)
The White Hart, Stockbridge (15 mins)
The Greyhound, Stockbridge (15 mins)
The Three Cups, Stockbridge (15 mins)
John O’Gaunt, Horesbridge (15 mins)
The Greyhound
The Peat Spade
The Star Inn
The White Hart
Tally Ho
The Black Horse
Mill arms
Fine Dining
Bentley’s top picks …….
Clos de Marquis, west of Stockbridge, A30 (15 mins) Award winning French restaurant,
Le Frog @ Les Mirabelle, Nomansland (20 mins) French bar/bistro. Claude and his team provide a unique dining experience with relaxed rather than formal atmosphere without compromising the quality and excellence of the food.
Lainston House, Winchester (30 mins) 5 star Country House Hotel with enviable reputation. Award winning Avenue Restaurant, taking its name from the mile long avenue of lime trees. Intimate, elegant in the most beautiful of settings, inspired by seasonality the superb and varied a la carte menu is tempting to all palates and tastes
Charter 1227, Salisbury (20 mins). Family run traditional business in the heart of Salisbury over-looking the market place. Award winning chef. Passionate about his craft creating seasonally inspired menus based on modern English and European cuisine.
Best of the rest ……..
Rick Stein’s, Winchester (30 mins)
Chesil Rectory, Winchester (30 mins)
The Black Rat, Winchester (30 mins)
River Cottage Canteen (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall) Winchester (30 mins)
The Pig, Brokenhust (45 mins)
Alfresco Dining
Posh trough herb garden.