5 Things To Do In or Near Bishop's Waltham
The Crown Inn sits on the edge of the South Downs National Park and is the midpoint between Winchester and Portsmouth. Our location makes us the ideal starting point for all your explorations in Bishop’s Waltham. Here’s a list of 5 things to do while you’re in Southampton:
Visit the Bishop’s Waltham Palace and explore the grand remains dating back to the 14th century. From the pub, head towards the B2177. Go down this road, then turn left onto Station Rd. You’ll be at the Palace within five minutes of leaving the pub. The Palace is open every day in summer and on weekends during winter. Admission is free, and if you’re travelling by car there’s an English Heritage managed car park on site. The grounds can get pretty muddy during the rainy season, so bring wellies if you’re going then.
Fancy a massage while you’re staying at The Crown? Or maybe you’re here for a wedding and you want to go all out on beauty treatments? We’re literally a minute’s walk from HealthSpace, a multidisciplinary clinic. HealthSpace is a great place to take care of all your health and beauty needs in Bishop’s Waltham. Other services offered at HealthSpace include sports therapy, physiotherapy, traditional acupuncture and counselling.
Alpaca walking is another fun activity you can take part in while you stay at The Crown. Take a drive from the pub on Winchester Rd, past Fisher’s Pond, onto Church Ln, take a right onto Highbridge Rd then the immediate left onto Kiln Ln. You will be at Hensting Alpaca Farm within 14 minutes of leaving the pub. The alpacas at the farm are very friendly, just like the staff. Plenty of photo opportunities for you and your family (alpacas look good in a selfie!), plus a chance to feed the fluffy animals.
You can also visit the Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum, the only remaining steam-driven brickworks in the country. This unique museum is just 7.3 miles away from The Crown and has won the coveted Institute of Mechanical Engineering Heritage Award in 2011 thanks to the fully restored and functional machinery. It’s a family-friendly activity, with lots to do for everyone. The museum also hosts various events all year round, which only adds to the overall experience.
A true hidden gem by the name Corhampton Saxon Church lies almost 5 miles north-east of The Crown. This small building is almost a thousand years old, standing on a mound adjacent to the River Meon. The church is not dedicated to any saint, hence the generic name. However, it is a great example of what a Saxon Church really looks like. The church is still in use to this day, its upkeep made possible by the Friends of Corhampton Charity. It seats up to 100 people. Visit the church after a hearty brunch at the pub and see why a lot of visitors who stumble upon it are glad they did.
