The Medieval Merchants House is an English Heritage site in the historic part of Southampton. It is…read morea small building ( http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/Q6XqH1E05lB2nIlwJStggw?select=HacP6tvKNjQY2oWBVKmJ9Q ), with a dirt floor on the ground level, and some upstairs rooms and a cellar. Considering the overall size of the property, the entrance fee seems a bit steep. The audio guide is fairly lengthy, describing the typical life of the inhabitants: a wealthy Southampton wine merchant and his family, and guests. Actually, the audio guide is really lengthy, which is good for the history fans, but not great when you've got small kids in your group. The site staff did open up the large wine cellar for us, under the building, and let us inside it. Overall, while the history is great (you can get a good sense of what Southampton was like as a port in the Middle Ages), the site is pretty small - like 5 rooms total, plus the cellar. For history fans, it's cool, but for random entertainment, its value per admission isn't great. OPENING TIMES: we must have lucky in our trip, since according to the English Heritage website, the Medieval Merchant's House is only open on Sundays (noon to five pm). Accessibility note: since it is an old building with a dirt floor, strollers aren't admitted, but can be left with the museum staff in the entry room/gift shop. Steep stairs for the upstairs and for the wine cellar.

Now in the care of English Heritage, Netley is the most complete surviving Cistercian abbey in…read moresouthern England. Founded in 1238 by Peter de Roches, Bishop of Winchester, it was colonised by monks from nearby Beaulieu Abbey. Almost all the walls of its 13th century church still stand, together with many monastic buildings. The buildings were converted into an impressive country residence by Sir William Paulet, First Marquess of Winchester, who acquired the abbey in 1536 after the Dissolution. Abandoned as a house in the 18th Century, most traces of Paulet's alterations were removed in the 19th century, when Netley's ivy-clad ruins became a favourite of the Romantic movement. Netley was visited by John Constable, who came to paint here, and also by Jane Austen, who may have found inspiration for her novel Northanger Abbey. Access is free although opening times are restricted, especially in winter months. It's a lovely spot for a picnic and feels a long way from the surrounding urban area. There's a small car park - more parking and toilets are available over the road in the Abbey Hall Recreation Ground.

On our Road Trip through England, Wales and Scotland we focused on Castles, Abbeys and walks…read more The Titchfield Abbey we've visited on our first full day here in England. It was a hot summer day. A monday. And only really a handful people on site. Which is surprising, because these are beautiful remains of a former abbey and mansion. It's almost still fully complete even. There's no entrance fee. And even parking is free if you're a member of the EH. If not it's 2£ only. The building is very impressive. Built in the 13th Century it was first in the hand of monks. Then it changed hands under Henry VIII. And was turned into a Tudor mansion. It's quite a sight to behold. And you can walk around the whole site. But as usual: Be respectful, don't climb around and pick up your litter and after your dog (which are allowed here on the site). A very good start for this year's Road Trip. A great place to visit. And there are even one or two lunch options around, if you feel hungry after your visit.

Titchfield Abbey is a ruined former country home, which was itself adapted from an Abbey during the…read moreDissolution. The Abbey was founded in 1222 by the Premonstratensian Order of canons. It was founded as a daughter house of Halesowen Abbey, and endowed both by its founder Bishop Peter of Winchester and Henry III. Never especially wealthy, the Abbey was nevertheless noted for its scholarship and held a substantial library. The Abbey buildings followed a standard plan, albeit on a relatively modest scale. The Abbey seems to have had a quiet and ordered existence, although it's location near the south coast on one of the main routes to France meant it hosted both Richard II and Henry V, and was the location of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou in 1445. The Abbey was dissolved in 1537, at the behest of Thomas Wriothesely, Chancellor to Henry VIII. Unlike many dissolutions, the Abbott John Salisbury secured a peaceful handover, with pensions provided for the canons and the position of Dean of Norwich for himself in 1539. Wriothesely adapted the buildings to form a n impressive country home for himself, called Place House. The Abbey church itself was converted to a grand gatehouse and accommodation wing, with a long gallery and hall formed around the former cloister. This involved taking down the church tower and chancel. The house hosted Elizabeth I, Edward VI, Charles I and Charles II. It continued in use as a home until the 1780s, when the decision was taken to abandon and deliberately demolish much of the complex to form a romantic ruin. Today it is in the care of English Heritage. The impressive turreted gatehouse forms the larger part of what is visible today, the bare structure enabling much of the former church to be traced. There are also remains of the cloister walls, with the foundations of the demolished buildings traced out on the ground. The site is also known for its collection of decorative mediaeval floor tiles. The adjacent fish ponds have survived but are no longer part of the site. Practicalities: the gravel drive is quite narrow and leads to a gravel car park. Although there is level access the rough surfaces make for challenging wheelchair access. There are no toilets on site.

We visited this charming tea room with outdoor seating on one of the last warm days of the year…read more Service was very pleasant if not entirely competent, and our sandwich and cream tea were acceptable. An extra star has been awarded for the antiquity of the building and the pleasure of sitting outside by the lovely garden. I would return.

Incredible location, very fun to get to via ferry but you take the 45 minute walk…read more Used by Henry VIII, the Ministry of Defence and now taken over by English Heritage, Hurst Castle offers a varied history. The castle does a good job of showing all the changes that have happened throughout its history. From seeing several different castles open up to the public, Hurst Castle stood out. Would completely recommend the audio tour. Absolute bargain at £2 each with a offer of two audio tours for £3. All the staff were very friendly and know the Hurst ferry staff.

A brilliant day out! The amazing adventure starts by parking…read moreyour car at Keyhaven. You then discover this massive pebbles barrier protecting the marshes from the waves. From very afar you can see the round shape of Hurst Castle: it looks small from there, but don't judge it yet. Walk all the way to the castle by using the barrier and then you'll see that there is more than meets the eye. Entry is about 3 pounds for an adult, which is a true bargain for a National Trust site. There is plenty to see and do and the views are fantastice. There is also plenty of exhibitions about the Bournemouth coastline and life in the castle and its strategic position. All in all, a cheap and great day out for the whole family.

I enjoyed the Great Hall. Hard to imagine it's been there that long. Little garden out back was…read morequiet and peaceful. The Westgate museum was nice, especially the view from the roof. Don't waste your money getting the ticket that includes the Winchester museum. You can buy your ticket at the Westgate museum, or the Great Hall.

The ACTUAL Round Table? Likely not. Henry VIII didn't care, though, and neither do I. Misogynist…read moremonster that he was, at least he had a taste for historical fiction, and reverence (however remote) for chivalric values. Seeing in on the wall is...something else. I mean, my one and only son is named Galahad, so I may be a bit biased, but...this is our mythology (white Anglo-Saxons, anyway). It should be treasured. There's more to the Great Hall that just the...hall itself, but you'll find yourself here most of the time. The gift shop, too. They sold me a fantastic mini-flail souvenir, which was summarily confiscated upon my second flight out of Heathrow (not my first, ironically), and I still miss it. But one thing I do not miss of the Great Hall at Winchester are the memories, because they are still with me. They're something the British version of the TSA could never take from me.

Grade II listed block of 164 flats designed by American architect Hector O'Hamilton, in Los Angeles…read moreSpanish style. It is a marvellous confection, with lovely tiled detailing. Built in 1935-38, it has worn remarkably well, and still looks 'fabulous, darling' today.

The freehold of San Remo Towers was sold for the first time whilst it remained as a 100% rental…read moreblock in 1992 to Roger Byron-Collins' company Welbeck Estate Group and the Hodge Group. It underwent a major upgrading programme. After several years of overall enhancement the freehold was sold whilst it was still a rental building. In 2000 it's freehold was sold whilst still a rental block by Welbeck and Hodge., The new owners then embarked on a programme of selling off the individual apartments.

Other than the castle, the village itself has a very inviting feel about it. You enter the castle…read morefrom the little square where there are a few shops and a monument in the middle. The square is very small! I don't know; I just found the place really calm and peaceful - most likely not this way during the tourist season but on a cold wet November late afternoon the atmosphere was at its best. The village isn't very big, so worth a little wander around and perhaps a stop in a pub and some of the shops.

Such a beautiful village - it hasn't changed much since I used to visit it over 40 years ago. The…read moreCastle is always worth a visit - you get in free if you're a National Trust member, and the parking at the visitor centre at the entrance to the village is also free to members. Try getting there early-morning before the crowds. Interesting little shops and the National Trust Tea Rooms does the best cream tea ever - sit in their garden overlooking the Castle. There's also a model village. The steam train runs from the Park & Ride at Norden (just before Corfe Castle village), stops at the village before chugging through the Purbecks onto Swanage. A good day's fun!

This site comprises the remains of a once-splendid mediaeval palace of the Bishops of Winchester…read more It has free entry and is a great place for a picnic. The Palace was begun by Henry of Blois in 1135. Further expansion was undertaken in 1160-80; again by William of Wykeham (bishop from 1367 and founder of Winchester College and New College, Oxford), Bishop Henry Beaufort (1405-1447) and finally by Bishop Langton (1493-1501). Occupied until the Civil War in the mid 17th Century, thereafter it fell into disrepair, and much of the stonework was removed for use in other buildings. However, enough remains to appreciate the grand scale of the palace. During its heyday, it was much visited by royalty, including Henry II to Henry VI, Richard the Lionheart, Edward IV and Elizabeth I. Henry VIII entertained the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, here in 1522; and Mary I stayed here prior to her wedding to the future Philip II in 1554. What remains now is an impressive and entirely moated site (still partly watered), with, on the west side, the substantial remains of Wykeham's Great Hall, the kitchen and service rooms. Beyond this is the south-west tower, still standing 20m high, and picturesquely covered with foliage. Only part of the Bishops' apartments remain. The outline of the cloister is clearly visible and the undercroft of the chapel is now occupied by a picnic table! The east range, built in the 15th Century with alterations in the 16th, is also substantially intact, and once housed a bakehouse and brewery. To the east of the site, some of the large fishponds survive, used to supply the palace with fresh fish. A red-brick building with mediaeval timber framing next to the east range now houses the small town museum, open summer weekends 2pm-4pm. The site has a small car park but is only a few minutes' walk from the centre of the town. There are information boards at key points around the site.