Southern England Explorer

SOUTHERN ENGLAND EXPLORER: FROM THE NEW FOREST TO HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH

 

15 – 19 June 2026

Monday - Friday

5 Days

From £699

 

Wild horses won’t be able to drag you away from the New Forest once you’ve experienced its serenity and fallen in love with its picturesque glades, ancient woodlands, open moors, heathlands, and cliff-top walks. 

 

Nestled deep in the heart of the New Forest, our cosy countryside retreat is surrounded by wide-open heathland, with the charming sight of ponies and donkeys wandering freely; a unique connection to nature that soothes the soul.

 

Short description – 20 words

Wild horses won’t be able to drag you away from the New Forest once you’ve experienced its serenity and fallen in love with its picturesque glades, ancient woodlands, open moors, heathlands, and cliff-top walks. 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

 

New Forest   |   Lymington   |   Buckler’s Hard   |   Brockenhurst   |   Salisbury   |   Royal Armouries Fort Nelson   |   Southsea Castle   |   Portsmouth

 

 

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to the New Forest, arriving late afternoon allowing us time to refresh and relax before dinner this evening.

 

DAY TWO – Brockenhurst, Lymington and Buckler’s Hard

This morning, first we head to see Brockenhurst, one of the prettiest villages in the New Forest, and it’s the perfect place to start; you might see wild ponies, donkeys and cows happily plod through the village, creating an enchanting atmosphere. 

 

We’ll then move onto the beautiful historic town of Lymington, in the south of the New Forest. Here we have a chance to enjoy lunch and spend some time exploring at our own pace. This colourful coastal town on the west bank of the Lymington River, on the edge of the Solent, is an ancient seaport with rich maritime history. Lymington is also a major yachting hub and has three very popular marinas.

 

Then onto Buckler’s Hard is a beautiful village on the Beaulieu River that boasts a rich maritime history.  Whilst you’re there, you can explore this quaint shipbuilding village. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you wander around the village, you might see charming waterfowl or cheeky river otters.

 

Returning to our hotel, we have time to relax this afternoon, before dinner this evening.

 

DAY THREE – Salisbury

Today we have free time to explore Salisbury, you might choose to visit the unique retail shops, or perhaps the Fisherton Mill, a treasure trove of amazing artwork in the largest independent art gallery in the Southwest.

 

Salisbury Guildhall is a piece of history and architecture in Salisbury centre, well worth a visit, and don’t forget to take a snap at the Poultry Cross, or High Street Gate, classic buildings to admire.

 

For a stroll choose the Queen Elizabeth Gardens, where you can see wonderful views of the Cathedral. And not forgetting of course the wonderful to visit the Cathedral and St Thomas’ Church, a welcome in the heart of the city.

 

DAY FOUR – Portsmouth Royal Armouries, Southsea Castle and Portsmouth

Today we visit Portsmouth, and Fort Nelson; home to the Royal Armouries national collection of artillery and historic cannon – the big guns. Step back in time and explore a fully restored Victorian fort with its high ramparts, original fortifications, massive parade ground and underground tunnels. The national museum houses over 700 pieces of artillery from across the world and spanning 600 years of history – each with their own story to tell. With an exciting collection of big guns, stunning panoramic views, a museum shop packed with gifts and souvenirs, and a café serving refreshments – there is something for everyone to enjoy.

 

We’ll then make our way into Portsmouth to visit Southsea Castle. Built in 1544, the Castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by Henry VIII around England's coasts to protect the country from invaders. Barely was the work completed when Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, tragically sank in front of the Castle. During the English Civil War, nearly a century later, the Castle was captured for the only time in its history, by Parliamentarian forces. Over the centuries, Southsea Castle's defences were strengthened so that it could continue to protect Portsmouth. In the 19th Century a tunnel was built to defend the Castle moat. You can still enter the tunnel and see how the Castle would have been defended against invaders.

 

As time allows this afternoon, we’ll spend some time in Portsmouth itself before returning to our hotel.

 

DAY FIVE – Departure

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and make our journey home with comfort stops en route.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Welcome tea/coffee on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Southsea Castle

Fort Nelson.

 

BEAULIEU HOTEL, BROCKENHURST

This former coaching inn nestled deep in the heart of the New Forest; Beaulieu Hotel & The Drift Inn provide a delightfully cosy countryside retreat. Surrounded by wide-open heathland, with the charming sight of ponies and donkeys wandering freely, it offers a unique connection to nature that soothes the soul. Each room includes a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. Hotel has a lift; however, lift does not go to the second floor.

All single rooms are double for sole occupancy.  Some rooms may be allocated in the hotel annexe.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Welcome tea/coffee on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Southsea Castle

Fort Nelson.

 

BEAULIEU HOTEL, BROCKENHURST

This former coaching inn nestled deep in the heart of the New Forest; Beaulieu Hotel & The Drift Inn provide a delightfully cosy countryside retreat. Surrounded by wide-open heathland, with the charming sight of ponies and donkeys wandering freely, it offers a unique connection to nature that soothes the soul. Each room includes a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. Hotel has a lift; however, lift does not go to the second floor.

 

All single rooms are double for sole occupancy.  Some rooms may be allocated in the hotel annexe.

 

HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4 star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Lift
Bar	Television
Restaurant	Hairdryer
Lounge	Wi-Fi
Pool

 

GROUP BOOKINGS

Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	15 – 19 JUN 2026	MONDAY	£699	£86 SINGLE
JONES HOLIDAY INSURANCE			£36

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply.  Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Seat numbers on the coach may be subject to change. Issues whilst on tour must be raised in the first instance with the driver. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office.  If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

the Beaulieu Inn, Brockenhurst Fort Nelson South Sea Castle