Holiday rentals and lettings in Hampshire

• Choice of holiday lets: Hampshire offers rural cottages, log cabins and spacious holiday homes, many surrounded by peaceful New Forest countryside.
• Best areas to stay: Base yourself in historic Winchester, the New Forest, the sailing town of Lymington, or buzzy Southampton, each offering a different side of the county.
• Top-rated guest favourites: Guests praise our Hampshire properties for their peaceful garden settings, pet-friendly touches and easy access to the New Forest and coast.
• When to visit: Summer brings festivals and beach days, autumn the New Forest's golden colour, and spring quiet woodland walks; the May half-term is ideal for families.
• Things to see and do: Wander Winchester's history, tour Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, sample gin at the Bombay Sapphire distillery, and explore Highclere Castle (of Downton Abbey fame).

Choose from snug holiday cottages in Hampshire for two to roomy holiday homes in Hampshire that sleep large groups of family or friends. Prefer something more traditional? You will also find cosy log cabins in Hampshire tucked into the woodland. Holiday lets across the county come with a generous range of amenities, including:

• Private gardens and outdoor seating
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Barbecue facilities
• A handful of properties with swimming pools or hot tubs

With pet-friendly options and rural settings galore, it is easy to find a let that matches exactly how you like to holiday.

What are the best areas to stay in Hampshire?

It depends on your plans, but Winchester and the New Forest are the most popular bases. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently praise Hampshire's holiday lets, loving the peaceful rural settings, warm welcomes and easy access to the New Forest.

Here are our top-rated holiday lettings from the past year:

1. Picket Hill Cottage - 10.0: A pretty, pet-friendly cottage near Ringwood on the edge of the New Forest, with its own garden; guests love the quiet setting and easy walks from the door.
2. The Old Cart Shed - 10.0: A spacious converted barn for six at Rockbourne, with a garden and a warm welcome for dogs; ideal for families exploring the western New Forest.
3. The Apothecary - 10.0: A charming cottage for six in the heart of Brockenhurst, within walking distance of New Forest trails, village pubs and the train station.

Hampshire sits on England's south coast, between Dorset and West Sussex, wrapping around the New Forest National Park and the historic cities of Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth.

✈️What is the best way to get to Hampshire?

Getting to Hampshire is straightforward, with fast trains from London, two nearby airports and good motorway links. Here are the most common ways to get to the county:

• Train: South Western Railway runs frequent direct trains from London Waterloo to Winchester in around an hour, as well as to Southampton and Portsmouth, with onward connections to Lymington for the Isle of Wight ferry. Stations are central and well served.
• Car: The M3 motorway brings you down from London to Winchester and Southampton, while the M27 links the south-coast cities and the A31 leads into the New Forest. Driving gives you the freedom to reach rural cottages, country pubs and quieter villages; most holiday lets offer parking.
• Plane: Southampton Airport handles UK and European flights and sits right on the main rail line, just minutes from the city centre by train. Bournemouth Airport lies within easy reach to the west. A hire car or connecting train completes the journey.

🥗Where to eat in Hampshire?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Pig is the best-rated restaurant in Hampshire. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Rachel and Tom recommend Josie's in Lymington: a relaxed harbourside spot that's perfect for brunch and coffee after the Saturday market, with friendly service and lovely homemade cakes.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Hampshire is late spring to early autumn, when the New Forest is at its greenest and the coastal towns come alive. July and August are the warmest and busiest months, ideal for beaches and festivals, while September and October bring golden woodland, fewer crowds and lower rates. Spring is lovely for quiet countryside walks.

Summer

• Best for: Beaches, sailing and outdoor festivals.
• Weather: Warm and bright, with highs of around 22°C.
• Atmosphere: Lively and busy, especially across the New Forest and along the coast.

Autumn

• Best for: Woodland walks and the New Forest's autumn colour.
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with crisp, clear days.
• Atmosphere: Quieter and more relaxed, with lower rates than peak summer.

Spring

• Best for: Quiet countryside walks and spotting New Forest foals.
• Weather: Fresh and increasingly sunny, with the occasional shower.
• Atmosphere: Calm and uncrowded, with gardens bursting into colour.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Hampshire local expert, Sarah of Picket Hill Cottage, recommends spending a day in the New Forest National Park, where wild ponies roam free and gentle walking and cycling trails suit every level, from short family strolls to longer rides. You can read more about local tips on Sarah's page.

1. Explore historic Winchester
2. Discover the New Forest National Park
3. Step aboard at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
4. Sample gin at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery
5. Uncover Titanic history in Southampton

1. Explore historic Winchester

   Begin in Winchester, England's ancient capital. Marvel at Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, then see the legendary Round Table in the Great Hall and trace the story of King Alfred the Great along the River Itchen. The city centre is a pleasure to wander, with independent shops, cosy pubs and water meadows just beyond.

2. Discover the New Forest National Park

   Spend a day in the New Forest National Park, where wild ponies, donkeys and deer roam freely across heath and ancient woodland. Cycle the gentle trails, picnic near Brockenhurst or browse the shops in Lyndhurst. Staying at one of the area's campsites across Hampshire or trying glamping in the New Forest puts you right in the heart of it for early-morning walks.

3. Step aboard at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

   Set aside half a day for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, one of the country's great maritime attractions. Step aboard HMS Warrior 1860 and Nelson's HMS Victory, explore the Mary Rose Museum, then ride the lift up the Spinnaker Tower for sweeping views across the Solent.

4. Sample gin at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery

   Gin fans should not miss the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill, near Whitchurch. A guided tour takes you through the striking botanical glasshouses designed by Thomas Heatherwick, finishing with a cocktail in the bar.

5. Uncover Titanic history in Southampton

   In Southampton, uncover the city's deep links to the Titanic, which set sail from here in 1912. The excellent SeaCity Museum tells the story of the ship and the local crew who sailed on her, while the old town walls and the Mayflower memorial recall centuries of seafaring.