Picnic area

A proper patch of Hampshire countryside where you can spread a blanket and actually eat without someone trying to sell you a watery coffee. The picnic area near Stockbridge gives you grass, tables if you're lucky, and enough space to let the kids run about without them disappearing into the undergrowth. Nothing fancy - no fancy pavilions or craft beer vendors - just a working bit of land that does what it says on the tin.

It's ideal if you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots like The Meadow or Stockbridge View, or if you've pitched up at Salisbury Hillside Caravan Club just down the road. After a morning walk through the Test Valley, this is where you park yourself with sandwiches and a flask. Families with younger children will find it sufficient for lunch before heading elsewhere; serious picnic enthusiasts might find it a touch basic. The real draw is the location - you're in proper farming country here, with decent views across the Hampshire landscape. Go midweek if you want peace, weekends can get a bit rammed with other caravans doing the same thing.

Allow an hour or two depending on your pace. There's no admission charge that we're aware of, though facilities might be basic. It works best as a pit stop rather than a destination in itself - grab your lunch, stretch your legs, move on. Pairs well with a walk along the Test Way if you've got the energy.