Where To Stay & Where To Go In And Around Fareham

I was having a think about being a tourist in the Fareham area.  I mean it’s coastal so that’s ideal for summer days (and winter ones – I love walking on the beach when it’s cold and windy) but where are the best places to stay round here?  And where have you eaten out that’s impressed you enough to want to tell others about it?  Have you had friends come to stay in a particular hotel or guesthouse and they’ve had good things to say about it?  Please add your thoughts in the comments section :)

Hill Head is lovely, especially if you’re staying close enough to the Osborne View to go there for meals (their Sunday Roasts are fantastic!).  There are some cracking coastal walks with spectacular views too.  The same goes for Warsash – I can remember doing the walk right down the foreshore and back with friends and our kids (stopping off for an ice cold drink or a hot chocolate, depending on the season, in the Rising Sun pub of course!) many times.  And the kids, okay and the grownups too, love getting the little pink ferry over to Hamble when the weather is good.    

Hamble itself is another lovely town with popular English Heritage site Netley Abbey close by.  Since The Spinnaker pub in Lower Swanwick refurbished all their sleeping accommodation it’s a good value place to stay – and you can’t beat the location with Warsash, Southampton and Fareham on its doorstep.  Directly opposite The Spinnaker is the marina where you’ll find Velsheda's Restaurant Bar in a very pleasant setting indeed, looking out over the Solent (sadly they don't have a website but you can call to book on 01489 885745).  If good pub grub is more your thing The Spinnaker have their own restaurant and you’re just a short walk from The Old Ship with a good selection of beers and a great specials board.

It’s also not far from the Abshot Country Club with their well-equipped gym, pool, bar and tennis courts.  

Lower budget accommodation doesn’t have to mean lower quality and, often for less than you’d pay in a guesthouse, you can rent a caravan and some of the best views in the entire area at Solent Breezes.

Both Gosport and Lee on Solent also have some lovely spots.  If you’re lucky enough to be there early August both Stokes Bay and Lee are ideal places to stand and watch the fireworks that mark the end of Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight.  I’ve had friends stay at the West Wind Guesthouse who’ve all said it’s a great little B&B… and only yards from the seafront too!  If you’re staying more out Gosport way you could try The Old Lodge in Alverstoke if you’re on a slightly more luxurious budget - or the Seafarer Guesthouse for those who aren’t.  Going to Gosport also means you’re in the perfect location to take the Gosport Ferry over to Portsmouth.  Once on the other side you’re a stone’s throw away from the wonderful designer shopping, leisure and dining experience that are Gunwharf Quays.  The company who run the Gosport Ferry service also run cruises and party nights so well worth looking them up.

If you want something a little more central the Red Lion in Fareham is exceptionally central accommodation and it’s not a bad pub either.  If you’re on foot and are looking for something closer to the train station then Travelrest Solent Gateway (formerly The Avenue House Hotel) is ideal - and no more than a five minute walk from Fareham’s station where trains very frequently run directly to London or Brighton.

If you had to pick your top 3 tourist attractions in the area what would they be?