UK & IRELAND SOUTH COAST DESTINATIONS It wasn’t until 1971 that the ship
was discovered, putting in motion an 11-year effort (with input from Prince Charles) to raise it from the depths. It’s now on show in one of the UK’s most exciting new museums of the past decade, The Mary Rose in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It opened in 2013, but it was only in 2016 that the conservation process – preserving the fragile timbers of the 500-year-old ship – was completed, allowing visitors to view it without any glass barrier. The museum is an atmospheric
events this year marking 50 years since its opening. Entry is £9.50 for adults, £8.80 for seniors and £4.90 for under-16s. Chichester has plenty to
inspire too, from its Roman roots to the Chichester Cross – once a meeting place and market – that dominates its centre. It’s just steps from Chichester Cathedral, another landmark as extraordinary for its long history (it was built in 1075, so there’s nearly 950 years of it) as for its magnificent interior. We ducked in just before an ordination ceremony took place, but still managed a glimpse of the splendid stained-glass window in the South Transept, before stopping for coffee in the charming Cloisters Cafe. Entry to the cathedral is free but donations are encouraged.
Follow with a gentle stroll
around the city’s cobbled streets, then return via the incredible protected landscapes of Chichester Harbour, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
w PORTSMOUTH The city seafront of Portsmouth might be more built up, but it still has its attractions – not least the chance to have a picnic in the shade of Southsea Castle, a Tudor fort said to have been designed by Henry VIII himself to fend off a French attack. It was from the castle that the
king watched the sinking of the Mary Rose and the drowning of hundreds of men in the Battle of the Solent in 1545. The ship went down with such force that its keel was buried deep in the seabed mud, preserving it for centuries.
journey not just through the history of the ship and its sailors – by way of objects uncovered in the surgeon’s cabin, the kitchens and even the pockets of the men
– but also through historians’ efforts to piece the story together using every clue available. “It’s a time capsule of
that history,” says bookings coordinator Kayleigh Deak. “The wreck is amazing but having the personal items of the sailors on display, that’s what tells the story. That was always the goal.” Entry is £16 for adults, £14 for
concessions and £8 for children aged five to 15. If visitors still have energy to
spare, they should head to the top of the Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays (£9.90), to take a look across the city and the Solent just like Henry VIII – now that’s the Great British seaside at its best.
Tried &Tested LAKESIDE COASTAL VILLAGE, HAYLING ISLAND
This chalet-style resort has come a long way since it opened in 1937, not least with the addition of Woodland Lodges this year – pretty ice cream-coloured cottages that come with a private deck and comfortable Adirondack chairs, ideal for a pre-dinner drink. It’s a quiet, low-rise resort edged by a swan lake every bit as serene as it sounds, particularly if guests bring their fishing rods. Activities include a big indoor bowls centre plus petanque, archery and a swimming pool. The restaurant serves up British classics and a daily carvery, and
guests remain at their tables for the evening entertainment, which varies from cheesy magicians to musicians belting out Motown classics and pop hits to suit its older demographic. If clients are keen on their music, book a weekend festival break, so they can see their favourite act live. Book it: A three-night break in a Woodland Lodge at Lakeside Coastal Village starts at £255 per person arriving September 28, including the Simply Dine package comprising breakfast and three-course evening meal.
warnerleisurehotels.co.uk
ABOVE: Chichester Cross 26 July 2018
travelweekly.co.uk 61
PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK; PETE GUTTERIDGE; VISITBRITAIN/BEN SELWAY
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