| We are a small but merry band of bloggers who have joined forces to celebrate our Sensational South and share it with you. Couples, parents, dog owners, foodies, caravanners, cyclists and lovers of luxury. We hope to bring you some of our insight into the areas we know and love. An insider’s view of places to walk, picnic or play, great places to eat, drink and stay. Thanks for joining us!

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Welcome to South Sensation

We live in a beautiful part of the British Isles. This is our insider's guide to the sensational south.

This is a celebration of our region.

It’s coast and country, food and drink, producers and boutique shops.

It’s more obvious treasures and its hidden gems.

An insider’s guide to our region. Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

Why do we live here? Because we love it. Please join us.

LATEST POSTS

Boutique stay at Spitbank Fort
A stunning, if a little eccentric, boutique hotel which gives ‘getting away from it all’ a new, and distinctly nautical perspective. Read More
Julie
02 March, 2021
Hidden Dorset cafe
Hidden away down a leafy lane in West Dorset is Down House Farm, a quirky garden cafe with the most delicious of home-cooked food. Read More
Julie
23 February, 2021
Charter Market at Salisbury
If you love a traditional English market, then Salisbury Charter Market is definitely worth a visit. Read More
Julie
13 February, 2021
Beach house therapy
There’s something about a beach in winter – bleak yet soulful, moody yet uplifting. Check out our Hampshire beach house break. Read More
Julie
10 June, 2020
Foodie’s delight in Hampshire
Stockbridge is a picturesque town in Hampshire, winner of Google Street View’s 'foodiest high street in Britain' title. Read More
Jane
19 March, 2020
Autumn magic at Mudeford
There are autumn days when, if the sun is shining, the light has a special quality and the kids can still be out in the fresh air. Read More
Julie
13 October, 2019
Boutique stay at Spitbank Fort
A stunning, if a little eccentric, boutique hotel which gives ‘getting away from it all’ a new, and distinctly nautical perspective. Read More
Julie
08 September, 2019
Selsey crab and much more
In a quiet spot in the West Sussex countryside, sits a foodie country pub with rooms, which is, without doubt, worth seeking out. Read More
Julie
30 August, 2019
Let the tasting beGIN!
We have some amazing gins on our patch, and in support of our local producers, we set about tasting a selection. Read More
Julie
23 August, 2019
Afternoons off to a tea
Heading out for afternoon tea in the quintessentially English, Montagu Arms in Beaulieu in the New Forest. Read More
Jane
18 June, 2019
Lavender, gardens and cake
If you’re a keen gardener, as well as a cake lover, then the New Forest Lavender Tearooms is a destination which is a must. Read More
Julie
27 May, 2019
New Forest tasting menu
The tasting menu at Stanwell House, a boutique hotel, bar and restaurant in the High Street in Lymington, is a relaxed treat. Read More
Julie
20 May, 2019
Exbury in the spring
World famous for its Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, Exbury Gardens in the spring is especially stunning. Read More
Jane
18 May, 2019
A canvas of sand and sea
The unique quality of early morning light, a canvas of sand and sea and two horses moving slowly through the shallows. Read More
Julie
13 May, 2019
Happy Camping
We’ve been camping and touring in our sensational south for years. Here’swhere we’ve parked our home-from-homes. Read More
Julie
01 May, 2019
Lazy Sunday at The Bell Inn
The Bell Inn in the New Forest has a Sunday roast to make the spirits soar as high as their Yorkshire Puddings. Read More
Jane
21 March, 2019
Cycling the Hayling Billy Trail
Every family should cycle together and the Hayling Billy Trail is perfect - safe and scenic. Pack a picnic and head off out. Read More
Graeme
03 February, 2019
Lymington Saturday market
Exit the M27, cross a cattle grid and the awesome ancient New Forest opens up before you. Read More
Julie
01 February, 2019
Hidden away, the Salt Cafe
A little-known café to hunt out if you’re a fan of sourdough, good coffee and amazing cakes – all with a coastal view. Read More
Julie
11 January, 2019
If you love a good garden centre
Jane
31 July, 2018
Breakfast like a king
The Ivy Brasserie at Winchester, beautiful decor, delicious suppers and the chance to breakfast like a king. Read More
Jane
10 July, 2018
Let’s go fly a kite!
Whether you’re the world’s biggest kitesurfing fan, or a newbie to the sport, the Kitesurfing Armada Festival is a spectacle to see. Read More
Jeff
18 June, 2018
Love food, hate fuss?
If you like great food in a relaxed pub setting then The Earl of March near Chichester is a perfect balance between the two. Read More
Julie
13 June, 2018
Father’s Day. What sort of Dad is yours?
What do you buy the Dad who's got everything for Father's Day? Check out our ideas for something out and about. Read More
Julie
12 June, 2018
A quintessentially Cornish break
Porthcothan is a quintessentially Cornish Bay with grassy dunes, a huge swathe of sand and fantastic rock-pooling at low tide. Read More
Julie
11 May, 2018
Well earned CAMRA listing
A former coaching inn with roots in the 1700s, The Hampshire Bowman has earned its long-standing place in the CAMRA good pub guide. Read More
Graeme
08 May, 2018
Southsea – a feast of the world
Gunwharf Quays has it's appeal for its eateries with harbourside views, but for off-the-beaten-track experience, head to Southsea. Read More
Jeff
17 April, 2018
Family and dog-friendly break
For happy campers brave enough to battle the elements for a stunning view, head to Highlands End At Eype in Dorset. Read More
Julie
16 April, 2018
New Forest Manor lunch
Burley Manor is a relaxed restaurant with rooms in an historic manor house in the New Forest National Park Read More
Jane
16 April, 2018
A pint with a view
Old Portsmouth's Still & West offers leisurely pint and a constantly changing view of Portsmouth Harbour. Read More
Julie
10 April, 2018
Perfect stay for 20 in Somerset
A gem of a holiday home for a crowd. Old Stone Barns in Somerset is from Kate and Tom's large cottages. Read More
Julie
02 April, 2018
Time to breathe
A little luxury (bitesize in fact) and the sound of crashing waves, look no further than Whitsand Bay in Cornwall. Read More
Julie
16 March, 2018
Harbour and nature reserve
Between Southampton and Portsmouth, is a quaint yacht haven, perfect for twitchers or just feeding the ducks. Read More
Julie
08 March, 2018
A Thai festival in the New Forest
SenSpa, a luxury spa and hotel in the New Forest is helping to bring the Thai new year in style. Read More
Chloe
02 March, 2018
Penguins and tigers at Marwell
My other half knows I have a passion for both pandas and penguins, so this year’s Valentine’s treat was a trip to Marwell Zoo in… Read More
Chloe
28 February, 2018
Seaside walk and breakfast
For great seaside walks, whatever the weather, few places in Hampshire can beat Stokes Bay, especially the walk to Fort Gilkicker. Read More
Julie
25 February, 2018
HH & Co cookery school
Behind the scenes at the HH&Co kitchen and their cookery school at Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest. Read More
Jane
08 February, 2018
Weekend walk and breakfast
A Sunday morning walk in the windswept months, when the promise of a cooked breakfast makes you walk just a little bit faster. Read More
Julie
31 January, 2018