Distributed with The Sunday Telegraph | the beautiful south Glorious valley passes the Test of time

with more than 1,100 different This green and plants, we enjoyed the Fact file wonderful fragrances of winter- pleasant land  More information: flowering shrubs and carpets of visit-hampshire.co.uk/ delicate snowdrops. There are boasts some fine places-to-visit/test- many different themed areas valley here, all of which have their hospitality, says thymeandtidesdeli. season. Other great gardens co.uk are at Mottisfont, a National Beverley Glick hilliergardens.org.uk Trust historic house near nationaltrust.org.uk/ , and Houghton Lodge On our way to Stockbridge, the mottisfont near Stockbridge. sun broke through the clouds houghtonlodge.co.uk The river dominates the and illuminated verdant fields thewhitehorseromsey. market town of Romsey, with its that undulated into the co.uk Norman Abbey. Nearby, The distance. In the Test Valley, you hawk-conservancy.org White Horse, has been the breathe clean air and think yes, chaplains-museum. town’s principal inn since this must be ’s green hampshire.org.uk medieval times and now has AA and pleasant land. four-star status (and a second It may not have inspired rosette for its superb brasserie). Blake’s poem but this part of We stayed in the Penthouse west Hampshire is every bit as Suite, tucked away on a floor of lovely as its better-known its own. It was worth climbing neighbour, the . several flights of stairs to relax The Test is the county’s in its contemporary luxury longest river, and its clear which included a superking- spring water and even flow sized Italian leather bed, a have helped to make it one of walk-in dressing room and a the best trout fishing rivers in huge marble bathroom with a the world. It twists and turns double-ended bath and large through water-meadows, shower with body jets. woods, villages and towns – Other gentle pursuits include Andover, Stockbridge and a visit to the award-winning Romsey being the biggest. Hawk Conservancy Trust near One of the best ways to Blooming gorgeous: and Winkle railway line. But my and superb, home-made food, The White Horse in Romsey, Andover. Set in 22 acres, it explore the valley is to walk or Sir Harold Hillier husband and I were on four it was easy to see why it has where we would be staying. offers spectacular flying cycle its many footpaths, cycle gardens wheels, so we stopped for lunch won a Hampshire Hospitality En route, we visited one of demonstrations. And at the ways and bridle paths – the Test at Thyme & Tides, a bistro and Award, along with an array of the area’s horticultural gems, Museum of Army Chaplaincy at Way is a 44-mile walk that deli on Stockbridge’s broad and eateries including the Bear and the 180-acre Sir Harold Hillier Amport House we saw includes a nine-mile stretch on handsome high street. Ragged Staff in Michelmersh, Gardens. At the Winter Garden, fascinating archive material the track bed of the old Sprat With its vibrant atmosphere The Mayfly in Testcombe and one of the largest in Europe and historical relics. Surround yourself in

treatments including speciality lava shell wild beauty and bamboo massages. Beaulieu village is the ideal starting point for a weekend break. It sits on the Style, spas, scenery, 007 action and banks of the Beaulieu river and Mill Pond, across which you can see Palace great food are on the New Forest’s menu House, home of Lord and Lady Montagu. The little village is charming, especially when a New Forest pony holds up the I’ve had few more tranquil experiences traffic. Just along the High Street is the than waking in the Deluxe Suite at the award-winning New Forest Activities Montagu Arms in Beaulieu as the sun Fact file Centre where you can book anything streamed through windows on both sides  More information: from archery or cycling to kayaking. of my bed. This is country-house-style careysmanor.com A short drive away is the National comfort at its best, right in the heart of handpickedhotels. Motor Museum, Beaulieu Abbey, Palace the New Forest National Park. co.uk/hotels/ House and Gardens. New for 2012 is the The hotel has four AA stars and a rhinefield-house Bond in Motion exhibition, the world’s Michelin-starred restaurant, The Terrace montaguarmshotel. largest official collection of 007 vehicles. (I recommend the six-course tasting co.uk Amazing conservation work on the menu). For those who prefer more rustic newforestactivities. otter is undertaken at the New Forest fare, Monty’s Inn is next door. co.uk Wildlife Park, where you can also observe Guests have use of the leisure facilities beaulieu.co.uk other species such as owls, deer, wild at sister hotel Careys Manor, near .co.uk boar, lynx and even wolves. Brockenhurst. It houses the award- newforestwildlifepark. Also within easy reach is Exbury winning SenSpa, which has 16 treatment co.uk Gardens, setting for the Rothschild rooms, a large hydrotherapy pool, herbal  For great ideas on Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas sauna and steam room. Here you can short breaks and days and camellias, which explode into colour enjoy Thai-inspired treatments and dine out for couples: in spring. But there is magic to be found at the Zen Garden Thai Restaurant. visitsoutheastengland. in other seasons and you can view it all Also near Brockenhurst, deep in the com/timeforus from the Exbury Gardens Steam Railway. forest among conifers and scented pines, There is so much to see and do, that is the Rhinefield House Hotel, a grand we are already planning a return trip to country house in Tudor and gothic style. the New Forest in summer to witness its The Rhinefield Spa offers a range of Old and new: Beaulieu’s Palace House; inset, the pool at Careys Manor & Senspa beauty in the sunshine. BG