Horndean Library

Horndean Library is a straightforward local facility tucked away in this quiet corner of Hampshire, just outside Emsworth. It's the sort of place you'd pop into if you're after a specific book, need to use the computers, or want to escape a rainy afternoon - not a destination in itself, but genuinely useful if you're staying nearby.

The stock is what you'd expect from a village library: a decent range of fiction and non-fiction, children's sections, and access to Hampshire's wider catalogue through the inter-library system. Opening hours are a bit patchy - afternoons mostly, with Wednesday and Friday offering longer availability - so plan accordingly if you're relying on it. Admission is free, naturally.

For families on a park holiday at Glamping at Wallops Wood or The Old Dairy Farm (both just over four miles away), it's a practical backup on bad weather days. If your kids have exhausted the library van at the campsite, this gives you proper shelves to rummage through. Adults won't find anything extraordinary here, but the Friday evening opening until 7pm means you could reasonably browse after dinner.

Truthfully, it's not why you'd come to Hampshire. But if you're staying put for a few days and need something low-key and free, it does the job. The real appeal lies in exploring the countryside around Emsworth - that's where your time is better spent.