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For those of us who grew up by the coast, there is something soothing, almost spiritual, about a beach in winter – bleak yet soulful, moody yet uplifting. Time spent by the sea in the depths of January, for me, is like therapy. 2019 had been a challenge and, as we headed into the new decade, coastal therapy was, we decided, just what we needed. … Continue reading Beach house therapy
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The cricket legend that is Sir Ian Botham recently launched a new venture Botham Wines, a collection of Australian and New Zealand wines that he has personally created and which you can now sample at Beefy’s Restaurant at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The collection was put together as he travelled across Australia and New Zealand, visiting many of what he calls “the wine making … Continue reading Sir Ian Botham wines and menu at The Ageas Bowl
The South Sensation bloggers never need an excuse to drink gin, but when World Gin Day came around in June, we decided it might be a good idea to make our gin tasting a little more focused by checking out the offerings from our local distilleries. We bought a box of five to try from @masterofmalt, which came nicely packaged with a set of tasting … Continue reading Let the tasting beGIN!
How many times have you sat in a restaurant tucking into something delicious and wished you could recreate it at home? Well, now you can! BEEFY’S by Sir Ian Botham, the smart restaurant and bar that is part of Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, has introduced a new series of chef masterclasses. Head chef Tom King is passionate about local produce, and is keen to share his favourite ingredients with guests, showing how they … Continue reading BEEFY’S chef masterclass
Alongside a traditional Sunday roast, Wimbledon, fish and chips, and our quirky sense of humour, a nice pot of tea with dainty sandwiches, warm scones and as many pastries as I can eat is very close to the top of my ‘things that make me glad to be British’ list. Whether you say scon or scoan, and whether you’re cream first or jam first (it … Continue reading The Montagu Arms has afternoons off to a tea
Our patch has some amazing gin producers and World Gin Day has prompted an idea. We’re going to run an ongoing review from the counties we cover. Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight. The South Sensation Ginspiration Collection! We’ve ordered a taster sample box from Master or Malt which will arrive in a couple of days. Their’s is a brilliant idea … Continue reading A local challenge for World Gin Day
If a homemade savoury cheese scone with bacon drizzled in maple syrup, or lavender and coconut macaroons, sound like your sort of daytime indulgence then the New Forest Lavender Tearooms just off the main A36 at Plaitford is a place to head to. If you’re a keen gardener, as well as a cake lover, then this is a destination which is a must. The gardens … Continue reading Fields of lavender, gardens and homemade cake
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the spectacular 200-acre Exbury Gardens near Beaulieu in the New Forest. World famous for its Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and rare trees and shrubs, Exbury is celebrating its big birthday with some impressive new projects and a series of special events. A new ‘secret centenary garden’ and ‘stream’ of spring bulbs opened to the public in … Continue reading 100 years of glory at Exbury
We’ve been camping and touring in our sensational south for many years. Here’s a little insight into where we’ve parked our home-from-homes.
We’ve been camping and touring in our sensational south for many years. Here’s a little insight into where we’ve parked our home-from-homes
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For great seaside walks, whatever the weather, few places in Hampshire can beat Stokes Bay. Its stone beaches look out over the Solent, across to the Isle of Wight and free parking right on the water’s edge makes for a perfect picnic on the beach or a lovely spot to read a book from the warmth of your car. At one end is Browndown, these … Continue reading Great seaside walks with spots to stop
