Sustainability Centre

As a county, Hampshire is famous for many things: its seafaring history, which takes in both the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, the New Forest National Park, and Winchester Cathedral. Could we also add The Sustainability centre to that list, please? You know when they keep going on and on about mindfulness? Well, The Sustainability Centre is mindfulness in the flesh, or at least in bricks and mortar. This is an experience-rich, pace-slow kind of place. Fifty-five acres of peaceful woodland, where some of the sounds come from grey tits, skylarks, and barn owls. Lodgings come in various forms: from eco-luxury Bed and Breakfast, to a hostel, and yurts. We stayed in the Shepherds Hut, a beautifully handcrafted caravan-like, rustic cottage. Whilst sitting outside in the early evening sipping our coffee, we watched rabbits hopping about, red kites flying overhead, and fearless, bold red robins flitting from branch to branch. At night we lit a fire in our woodburner to keep us warm. On our first night here, we stepped outside to witness one of the starriest skies I’ve ever seen in my life (and yes, this comes from someone who’s also been to the Peak District and watched the sky at night). With the South Downs Way on our doorstep it would have been criminal not to walk part of it. A nine-mile loop was enough to soak in our surroundings. The elevation was unexpected and with a half-marathon just around the corner, in my case, I thought I was challenging myself a bit too much. Still, the views of the Portsmouth estuary in the distance were priceless. Jane Austen’s burial place, the New Forest National Park, and Winchester, the former capital of England. Yes, Hampshire has many attractions. To that list, please, add The Sustainability Centre.

· via Google

Beautiful area, 55 acres of hiking trails, there's a camping site, beautiful nature reserve... Educational activities are being run on the site, you can get locally grown produce as well, great café on site with amazing, sustainable food (vegeterian/vegan). Can't recommend enough

· via Google

Brilliant cafe here with delicious cakes. Benches in the shade were so lovely after a hot walk. Super.

· via Google

A real one treat of a place, beautiful woodland walks, loads of native wild life and the occasional grave digger. The cafe serves absolutely fantastic food, so tasty. A very peaceful and idyllic retreat that is perfect for slightly fuzzy Sunday recovery sessions.

· via Google