 HAMPSHIREWESSEX TOURIST GUIDE |
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| Welcome to Wessex & Chardnet. Press Control+B to Bookmark this site for later reference. |
  Wessex & HampshirePlaces of Interest & Events in & around Hampshire and in Wessex. |
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HAMPSHIRE WESSEX TOURIST GUIDE |
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| Welcome to Wessex & Chardnet. Press Control+B to Bookmark this site for later reference. |
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Wessex & Hampshire Places of Interest & Events in & around Hampshire and in Wessex. |
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Our recommended Mastercard Debit Card: Click on banner |
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| We try and include as
many click throughs as possible. We do not charge for our services but
would
be obliged if the owners of the attraction sites would reciprocate by
including our banner above and aim it at www.wessex.me.uk SOME OF OUR OTHER ON-LINE PUBLICATIONS
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The traditional view as recorded by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, is that Hampshire is where Cerdic and his son Cynric landed in 495 – and, after a battle at Cerdicsford (erroneously identified as Charford), established the Kingdom of Wessex. In reality Cerdic and Cynric were situate further West. The Saxons only established their principal see at Winchester as the Mercians forced them to move in the seventh century (c 660). Prior to that the area was inhabited in the main by Jutes from Denmark. Click on the Towns on the map to the right to visit their sites, We have a multitude of reference pages which were created some time ago and are now under reconstruction. So on here you will find dedicated pages to specialist activities in Wessex & Mercia. These include a list of Agricultural ,Horse Shows etc, The Wessex Hall of Fame, Michelin starred restaurants in Wessex,Seaside Resorts,Theatres in Wessex & the UK, List of Films made in Wessex, Wessex Names, Golf Clubs, Football Clubs, Rugby Clubs, and Racetracks . Campers & Caravanners have their own dedicated section too. I have even got my own page for readers letters and news snippets, mainly from my ancient capital Chard. Click here to contact us | 
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ADDRESS |
Tel/Fax/Email |
| ALDERSHOT T.I.C. |
39 High Street,
Aldershot , GU11 1BH |
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 320968 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 311479 |
| ALTON T.I.C. |
7 Cross and Pillory
Lane
, Alton,GU34 1HL |
Tel: +44 (0) 1420 -
88448 Fax: +44 (0) 1420 - 543916 |
| ANDOVER T.I.C. |
Town Mill House, Bridge
Street , Andover, SP10 1BL |
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 -
324320 Fax: +44 (0) 1264 - 345650 email: click here |
| BASINGSTOKE T.I.C. |
Willis Museum, Old Town
Hall, Market Place, Basingstoke,RG21 7QD |
Tel: +44 (0) 1256 817618 Fax: +44 (0) 1256 356231 |
| EASTLEIGH T.I.C |
The TIC has closed but they have a web site www.hamblevalley.com/ |
tel 0906 6822 001 |
| FAREHAM T.I.C. |
Westbury Manor, West
Street , Fareham, PO16 0JJ |
Tel: +44 (0) 1329 -
221342 Fax: +44 (0) 1329 - 282959 |
| FLEET T.I.C. |
The Harlington Centre,
236 Fleet Road, Fleet,GU13 8BY |
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 -
811151 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 - 812191 |
| FORDINGBRIDGE T.I.C. |
Kings Yard, Salisbury
Street, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AB |
Tel: +44 (0) 1425 654560 Fax: +44 (0)1425 654560 |
| GOSPORT T.I.C. |
Bus Station Complex,
South Street, Gosport, PO12 1EP |
Tel: +44 (0) 23 9252
2944 Fax: +44 (0)23 9251 1687 |
| HAVANT T.I.C. |
1 Park Road South ,
Havant, PO9 1HA |
Tel: +44 (0) 23 - 9248
0024 Fax: +44 (0) 23 - 9248 0024 |
| HAYLING ISLAND T.I.C. |
Beachlands, Seafront ,
Hayling Island, PO11 OAG |
Tel: +44 (0) 23 - 9246
7111 Fax: +44 (0) 23 - 9246 5626 |
| LYMINGTON T.I.C. |
St Barbe Museum &
Visitor Centre, New Street, Lymington, SO41 9BH |
Tel: +44 (0) 1590 -
689000 Fax: +44 (0) 1590 - 673990 email: click here |
| LYNDHURST & NEW FOREST
T.I.C. |
New Forest Museum &
Visitor Centre , Main Car Park, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY |
Tel: +44 (0) 23 - 8028
2269 Fax: +44 (0) 23 - 8028 4404 email: click here |
| PETERSFIELD T.I.C. |
County Library, 27 The
Square, Petersfield, GU32 3HH |
Tel: +44 (0) 1730 -
268829 Fax: +44 (0) 1730 - 266679 |
| PORTSMOUTH T.I.C. |
Continental
Ferry
Port TIC , Terminal Building, Portsmouth, PO2 8QN www.visitportsmouth.co.uk |
Tel: +44 (0) 23-9283
8635 email: click here |
| PORTSMOUTH T.I.C. |
The Hard,
Portsmouth, PO1 3QJ www.visitportsmouth.co.uk |
Tel: +44 (0) 23-9282
6722 Fax: +44 (0)23-9282 2693 email: click here |
| PORTSMOUTH (SOUTHSEA) T.I.C. |
Clarence
Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3PB www.visitportsmouth.co.uk |
Tel: +44 (0) 23 9282
6722 email: click here |
| RINGWOOD T.I.C. |
The Furlong, Ringwood,
BH24 1AZ |
Tel: +44 (0) 1425 470896 Fax: +44 (0)1425 461172 email: click here |
| ROMSEY T.I.C. |
13 Church Street,
Romsey
, SO51 8BT |
Tel: +44 (0) 1794 512987 Fax: +44 (0)1794 518981 email: click here |
| ROWNHAMS T.I.C. |
M27 Services
(Westbound)
, Southampton, SO16 8AP |
Tel: +44 (0) 23-8073
0345 |
| SOUTHAMPTON T.I.C. |
9 Civic Centre
Road , Southampton, SO14 7FJ |
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8083
3333 Fax: +44 (0)23 8083 3381 email: click here |
| SOUTHAMPTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT T.I.C |
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no telephone
enquiries |
| WINCHESTER T.I.C. |
Guildhall, The
Broadway, Winchester, SO23 9LJ www.visitwinchester.co.uk |
Tel: +44 (0) 1962 840500 Fax: +44 (0)1962 850348 email: click here |
 The Excellent Website from Hampshire County Council |
Hampshire
businesses are |
We
would like to acknowledge that this site has been made possible by
using so much from the Hampshire County Council site. |
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| ATTRACTION
& HAMPSHIRE COUNTY CLICK |
PICTURE |
ADDRESS
& OPENING TIMES + CLICK THROUGH WEBSITE |
Tel |
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Abbey Gardens are situated next to the river Itchen in Winchester and offer visitors a peaceful retreat from the busy city. The gardens are part of the site of St Mary’s Abbey which used to be one of the largest religious houses in Britain. |
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The Broadway,
Winchester, ABBEY GARDENS CLICK |
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Abbotstone Down is a beautiful location to either go walking or cycling. Situated near the pretty Hampshire village of New Alresford, the Down is the site of an ancient settlement. |
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New Alresford, ABBOTSTONE DOWN CLICK |
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| Allen Gallery, Alton The Allen Gallery houses one of Southern
England's most outstanding ceramics collections.
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Church Street Alton, GU34 2BW Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm, Admission Free ALLEN GALLERY CLICK |
tel 01420 82802 |
| Alice
Holt Woodland Park This ancient forest is famous
for
its oak trees which once supplied timber for building navy ships.
Recently,
Alice Holt oak has been used to build a replica of Shakespeare's Globe
Theatre
in London. Today the area has been designated a Woodland Park which
means
that it is managed for the benefit of its visitors, its wildlife, as
well
as a working forest.
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Bentley near Alton,
GU10 4LS ALICE HOLT CLICK |
tel 01420 23666 |
| Aldershot Military
Museum Military collections covering the growth and
development of Aldershot military town from 1854 to the present. Local
history collections covering the civil towns of Aldershot, Farnborough
and Cove, including Britain's first powered flight.
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Queens Avenue,
Aldershot, GU11 2LG Mon–Sun 10am–5pm ALDERSHOT MILITARY MUSEUM CLICK |
tel 01252 314598 |
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Alpine Snowsports in Aldershot has a wide
variety of activities to suit all ages and abilities. Visitors can have
a go at
skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and snowblading at their own pace.
There
are three ski slopes, the main one being 110 meters long.
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Gallwey Road, Aldershot, GU11 2BN ALPINE SNOWSPORTS CLICK |
Tel 0252 325889 |
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Alresford Gallery is a small exhibition area in the pretty Georgian town of Alresford, near Winchester. The gallery specialises in contemporary figurative painting, sculpture and ceramics and has exhibited work by artists such as Tom Coates, Michael Whittlesea and Jennifer McRae. |
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36 West Street,
Alresford, SO24 9AU ALRESFORD GALLERIES CLICK |
Tel 01962 735286 |
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The fully restored Alresford Goods Shed is
part of the historic station at Alresford which is home to The
Watercress Line. The shed, which is really a substantial building, was
restored in 2001 and now offers visitors a glimpse of steam railway
past with a museum area.
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Mid-Hants
Railway, The Railway Station, Alresford, SO24 9LG ALRESFORD GOODS SHED CLICK |
Tel 01962
733810 |
| Alton
Abbey Alton Abbey is a BenedictineChurch of England, in the
beautiful Hampshire village of
Beech, just outside Alton. It has been described in The Times as "the
best-kept secret in the Church of England" and "the place to go
when you need six
weeks holiday but can only spare a day."
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Alton,
GU34 4AP ALTON ABBEY CLICK |
Tel 01420 562145 |
| Andover
Museum
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6 Church Close Andover SP10 1DP Tue - Sat 10am - 5p ANDOVER MUSEUM CLICK |
tel 01264 366283 |
| Army Medical
Services Museum The collections on display include
uniforms & insignia, medical, dental and veterinary equipment,
ambulances, an ambulance train ward coach, a carriage used by Florence
Nightingale during the Crimean War and a large medal collection
including twenty three of the 29 Victoria Crosses awarded to the Army
Medical Services. When
arriving at the barracks entrance you should state that you wish to
visit the museum and you will be directed to the main
entrance.
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Keogh Barracks |
Tel: 01252 868 612 |
| Ashcroft Arts Centre The Ashcroft is a thriving Theatre and
Community Arts Centre providing a varied programme of professional
Theatre, Music,
Comedy, Film, Dance and Visual Arts earning it an excellent reputation
as
one of the South's leading Arts Centres. Ashcroft Arts Centre is a
Hampshire
County Council Arts Centre in receipt of additional support from
Fareham
Borough Council. It is managed by the Arts Office, part of the
Recreation
and Heritage department. In addition to a varied programme of
professional
theatre, music, comedy, film, dance and visual arts, there are many
arts
activities workshops available for all ages.
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Osborn
Road, Fareham ASHCROFT ARTS CENTRE CLICK |
tel 01329 310600 |
| Ashford
Chase One of Hampshire's most beautiful woodland
areas, where the poet Edward Thomas and his wife Helen lived before his
death in the First World War. 323 acres of woodland and beech hanger,
with magnificent views over the surrounding area.
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The nearest town
is Petersfield, but roads to Alton and to Liss form part of the road
boundary of the area, to which the name Ashford Chase is conveniently
given, though in fact it is made up of a series of hills running east
from Stoner to Wheatham. Footpaths cross the area from almost every
direction. ASHFORD CHASE CLICK |
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| Austen, Jane
One of the world's most famous authors spent most of her life in the historic & beautiful county of Hampshire in the south of England. It was in Hampshire that Jane Austen found inspiration to write such classics as Pride & Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility. She wrote her famous works drawing on a large circle of friends, social gatherings and places around Hampshire that she visited to devise the characters and settings for her novels. |
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First
mentioned in the 10th Century as Afintun, Avington originally belonged
to the Cathedral of Winchester until King Henry VIII granted the estate
to
Edmund Clerke, who built the banqueting hall, now the Orangery |
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Winchester, S021
1DB The house and tea bar are opened to the public between May and September. Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 2:30 - 5:30pm. AVINGTON PARK HOUSE CLICK |
Tel: +44 (0) 1962
779260 |
| Avon
Valley Path from Christchurch to Salisbury via Ringwood,
Fordingbridge and Downton. A 34 mile walk through the Avon Valley, a
wildlife heritage
area
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The walk starts
or finishes at Salisbury Cathedral and Christchurch Priory. The route
is well marked with a variety of signposts, nameplates and waymarks,
all in the same distinctive colours of green and beige, bearing the
bridge symbol. In towns similar markings will be found on street
furniture. AVON VALLEY PATH CLICK |
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| Basing House Remains of the Basing House was once the
country's largest private house, the palace of the powerful courtier
William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester. A rich servant of the Tudor
sovereigns, his new
buildings covered about 10 acres & formed the last of a succession
of
castles. The earthwork banks of the castle still dominate the ruins.
These
were created in one of the most famous sieges of the English Civil War.
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Basing House is
close to Basingstoke and not far from the M3 .April to September Wed to Sun 2pm - 6pm BASING HOUSE CLICK |
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| Basingstoke
Canal Walk The Basingstoke Canal Towpath Trail is a
permissive footpath which stretches 33½ miles from Penny Bridge
to its junction with the River Wey at Woodham.
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The Towpath
Trail
is highly accessible. There are several railway stations near the canal
giving walkers the option of walking one way and returning by train.
There are excellent road connections and several car parks along the
length of the canal. The canal towpath has been reinstated as far as Up
Nately, 3½ miles from Basingstoke and currently the limit of the
Towpath Trail. Basingstoke bus station was built on the site of the
terminus of the Basingstoke canal. |
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| Basingstoke
Canal Visitor Centre
The Basingstoke Canal is declared by many to be Britain's most beautiful waterway. From the rolling North Hampshire hills to the dramatic flights of locks in Surrey, the tree lined canal offers a variety of delights. The canal can be enjoyed from the 32-mile long towpath or by boat or canoe. The best place to start your visit, or to find out more is at the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre . |
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Mytchett Place
Road Mytchett, Surrey GU16 6DD Easter to September: Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am - 5.30pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 11.00am - 5.30pm October to Easter: Tuesday to Friday, 11.00am - 4.00pm BASINGSTOKE CANAL VISITOR CENTRE CLICK |
Tel: 01252 370073 |
| Beacon Hill,
Burghclere One of the best known hill forts in England.
It was once the site of the most famous beacon in Hampshire, though in
fact
the Beacon at Burghclere was called the Berkshire Beacon. The firing of
beacons kept on prominent hill tops was for many years an integral part
of the defence system of this country and the last chain of beacons
were lit on 2 June 1977 to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
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The site can be reached
by car along the main Winchester-Newbury road (A34). BEACON HILL CLICK |
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| Bear Museum The Museum at Petersfield in Hampshire,
England, was founded by Judy Sparrow in 1984. Judy had been collecting
bears for
several years before that, and they'd soon spilt out of the display
case
she devoted to them in the corner of her antiques shop. By the
mid-1980s,
Judy realised that more and more people were becoming interested in
bears,
and she decided to devote the whole of her antiques shop to them (this
was
in the days when antique bears were a lot easier to buy and sell!)
Since
then, the Museum has grown steadily, until today it has a
world-renowned
collection of antique teddy bears and related items. Judy has become a
well-known
authority on the subject, writing regularly for various Teddy Bear and
Doll
magazines.
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38, Dragon
Street, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 4JJ 10am to 4:30pm, Tuesday to Saturday BEAR MUSEUM CLICK |
Tel 01730 265108 |
| Beaulieu Formerly the 14th century Great Gatehouse of
Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House is set in glorious grounds and gardens
with immaculate spreading lawns and walkways overlooking the Beaulieu
River. The House has been in Lord Montagu's family ownership since
1538, when Sir Thomas Wriothesley, later 1st Earl of Southampton,
bought the Estate after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
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Beaulieu Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN 10 am until 6.00 pm - May to September 10 am until 5.00 pm - October to April BEAULIEU PALACE CLICK |
Tel : 01590 612345 |
| Beaulieu Abbey Beaulieu Abbey was founded in 1204 by
Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John. Although much was
destroyed at
the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of
Henry
VIII, there is still much for visitors to see today.
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Beaulieu Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN 10 am until 6.00 pm - May to September 10 am until 5.00 pm - October to April BEAULIEU ABBEY CLICK |
Tel : 01590 612345 |
| Beaulieu (National Motor Museum)
Few car museums in the world can match the
unique collection of the world renowned National Motor Museum at
Beaulieu. Managed by the National Motor Museum Trust, Beaulieu is also
the home of the world famous Beaulieu International Autojumble and
Automart.
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Beaulieu Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN 10 am until 6.00 pm - May to September 10 am until 5.00 pm - October to April BEAULIEU MOTOR MUSEUM CLICK |
Tel : 01590 612345 |
| Beaulieu River & Bucklers
Hard Buckler's Hard is a picturesque 18th century
village on the banks of the Beaulieu River in the heart of the New
Forest. Historically, it is famed as the place where some of the ships
of Nelson's fleet were
built, but whether your interest is as a visitor - as an individual,
family,
group or educational party - or as a sailor wishing to moor in the
River,
the things to see and enjoy are as varied as the history of the area
itself.
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Buckler's Hard Beaulieu Brockenhurst SO42 7XB 10.30 am until 5.00 pm - Easter to September 11 am until 4.00 pm - October to Easter BUCKLERS HARD CLICK |
Tel : 01590 612345 |
| Bird World One of Britain's largest birdparks. Loads of
Avaries, Penguin feeding, Heron Theatre, Safari Rides,Animal Handling
& Underwater World.
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Birdworld, Holt
Pound, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LD follow the brown and white cockatoo sign boards. 3 miles south of Farnham on the A325. Well signposted from the M3, junction 4. Easily accessible from the M2 27th
March 2005 - October 30th 2005 Open
10.00 am - 6.00 pm. |
tel 01420 22140 |
| Bishop's
Waltham Nature Trail A circular walk of about two miles around
the
countryside immediately to the east of Bishop's Waltham.
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Bishop's Waltham
Nature Trail Moors Nature Reserve and Chase Mill Bishop's Waltham, Southampton, BISHOP'S WALTHAM NATURE TRAIL CLICK |
tel 02380 456484 |
| Bishop's
Waltham Palace The last Bishop of Winchester to
reside at Bishop's Waltham left in a dung cart disguised as a farm
labourer! He
was escaping from Oliver Cromwell's troops after unsuccessfully
defending
his palace, which was torn down and never rebuilt. Bishop's Waltham was
at
the peak of its importance during the medieval period when it was the
seat
of the bishops of Winchester. Palace.
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Bishop's
Waltham,
Southampton, 1st May- 30th Sept 10am-5pm BISHOPS WALTHAM PALACE CLICK |
Tel 01489 892460 |
| Blackwater Valley The Blackwater Valley is maintained as an open space between the borders of the English counties of Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. It runs for approximately 30 km, from the source, near Aldershot in the south, northwards to Swallowfield and the confluence with the rivers Whitewater and Loddon. |
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Blackwater
Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road,
Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2PS |
Tel: 01252 331353 |
| Blue Reef Aquarium,
Portsmouth Blue Reef Aquarium is part of an exciting new generation of wildlife attractions designed to inspire deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Open-top tanks allow close encounters with friendly rays while 'hands-on' tide-pools and crashing surf displays recreate the sea |
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