Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
This is a large expanse of maritime vegetation on the northern shore of Langstone Harbour, opposite Portsmouth and Haling Island. In the winter, you get great flocks of Brent geese. When they all take off, you see them mapped against the sky, with Portsmouth on the skyline behind. It looks amazing.
• See hwt.org.uk
Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
I’ve been to a lot of animal sanctuaries and zoos in my time, and this is one of the best. It’s a fantastic day out, particularly for kids: they can watch all these birds of prey fly, including lots of spectacular species, and they even get to hold an owl. There’s a good educational component – and an excellent cafe, too.
• Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8DY
hawk-conservancy.org
Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
The Itchen Navigation is a canal dug between Southampton and Winchester, as one of those grand and ultimately pointless Victorian building projects. It was finished just before the completion of the railway line, and was immediately redundant. But you can walk all along the towpath, where the horses would have walked.
• See hwt.org.uk for more information about the route
Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
This ship was given the once-over in 2005, 200 years after the Battle of Trafalgar. You stand on the deck, and it’s as if you’re back on that fateful day in October 1805. Historians have called the battle a “game of thunder”: for 45 minutes, nobody on the ship was allowed to fire – they were just getting fired at. I’ve lain down on the deck, cowering beneath these massive pieces of English oak hewn into this beautiful ship, thinking about those poor people.
• HMS Victory, HM Naval Base (PP66). Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3NH
hms-victory.com
Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
The restaurant at the Lime Wood hotel used to be a pretty prim, stuffy affair. It’s just had a complete refurbishment, and reopened under chef Angela Hartnett. I went there with some friends recently and had the most delicious Isle of Wight lobster spaghetti, followed by hake in cockle broth. All the food is locally sourced, and Hartnett herself came out and said hello to all the diners three times. I thought: thank goodness for this place.
• Lime Wood, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7FZ
limewoodhotel.co.uk
Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
The area has everything from ancient woodlands to valley mires and sandy lowland heaths. My mum always liked the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive best, though I’d advise heading north from there towards Bolderwood. In early May, the leaves on the ancient beech trees there are the most delicious, verdant green. Look up at them through the sunshine and it’s like looking into the heart of an emerald.
• For a guide to the New Forest, see thenewforest.co.uk
Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
There are many great cathedrals in England, but this is one of the best. I’ve been going there since I was a child. I love the fact it’s cluttered with history junk: tombs and flags and old stuff. In the crypt, there are sculptures by Antony Gormley. The crypt floods in winter: you go in, take 20 steps without breathing, then breathe in through your nose and smell “cathedral”.
• 9 The Close, Winchester, Hampshire SQ23 9LS
winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Photograph: Andrew Shaylor for the Guardian
