We arrived at Hinton Ampner through grassy parklands with sheep and newly-born lambs grazing. The house is the creation of Ralph Dutton, 8th and last Lord Sherborne, who was born here in 1898 and remodelled both the house and garden when he inherited the estate in 1936. It is set amongst well-maintained gardens with features including a walled garden, lily pond and church. The house was badly damaged by fire in 1960 but it was rebuilt with Dutton aquiring Regency furniture, Italian paintings and hard stone items to replace what had been lost.
Half-an-hour away is Mottisfont. The tranquil estate is set in glorious grounds alongside the River Test. The house is built on the original 13th century Augustinian priory. There are three floors to see including Rex Whistler's trompe l'oeil design in the drawing room and art gallery. You can explore the gardens, walled garden with old-fashioned roses, ice house, fishermans hut and stable block.
Lymington is set in the New Forest which was recently granted National Park status. It is one of the main towns in the forest with a good selection of shops. There is a cobbled street leading to The Old Quay where you can see plenty of yachts and Wightlink ferries sailing to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. Some local residents were recently against plans for a new Wetherspoons pub in the town saying it would spoil the character.
We joined the Kent and East Sussex Railway at the market town of Tenterden in Kent. The town provided a great spot for lunch with The White Lion offering traditional pub food. At the station there is Col. Stephens Railway Museum and ample free parking. At peak times there are up to five steam trains leaving the station throughout the day and during less popular times you can also journey on a diesel train. There are three stations between Tenterden and Bodiam: Rolvenden, Wittersham Road and Northiam. The scenary is picturesque with plenty of rolling fields and animals to be seen. The line crosses the boundary into East Sussex where Bodium Castle gives reason to leave the train and explore medieval life in the National Trust ruins.
A few miles away in 1066 county is the seaside town of Hastings. Lots of shops and attractions although it is sad to see the charred remains of a once thriving pier.
We stayed at Bridge Cottage on Middle Farm in Buckland Ripers. We awoke to the sounds of horse hooves passing by on their way to the field and ducks having a morning quack on the pond. We visited Charmouth with a coastline famous for fossils, The Cobb and quaint streets of Lyme Regis, misty and windy Portland Bill lighthouse, the natural wonder of Lulworth Cove and travelled back in time on a steam train from Corfe Castle to Swanage.
The Grand Pier re-opened on 23 October 2010 following a fire in July 2008. The new pier building is modern in design and offers the latest rides and arcades with places to eat and drink. Much of Weston-super-Mare is also receiving a facelift; hoping to attract more visitors to the seaside.
Sir Edward Dalyngrigge a soldier of fortune began the building of Bodium Castle in 1385. He wanted to show off his power and wealth as well as to defend the surrounding countryside. It is not known whether Bodium Castle was a fortress, a grand and comfortable house or both. Its setting was a working estate with farmland, wharf and flour mill. It was also elaborately landscaped with ponds, pools and a moat. These both added to the defences and making a picturesque scene to impress visitors.