LOCAL
ATTRACTIONS
The Brookfield Hotel, situated a short walk from the beautiful fishing town of Emsworth, is the ideal location to explore the many attractions of South-east Hampshire and West Sussex. Locally Emsworth, Havant and Hayling Island are all hidden gems of the coastline, while the maritime city of Portsmouth and the cathedral city of Chichester are a short trip away. Southampton, Winchester, the Isle of Wight, the South Downs and the New Forest are all within easy reach of the Brookfield Hotel as well as many other wonderful places to visit.
The Blue Flag beaches of Hayling Island, combined with the harbour walks and history around Havant and Emsworth give variety and make this area a perfect choice for an interesting and comfortable visit.
Emsworth
Emsworth Walks: Brookfield Hotel to Langstone and Back
Walk Distance (return): 5.9 km, 3.7 miles
Walking Time (return): 1 hour 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Tucked away in the south east corner of Hampshire, and the gateway to the nationally important Chichester Harbour, Emsworth is a quiet and attractive yet vibrant and dynamic town where residents wouldn't live anywhere else and visitors can be sure of a friendly welcome.
Emsworth is popular with sailors, artists, naturalists and walkers. The two tidal millponds to east and west are host to a variety of wild life. There is a long history of oyster fishing and boat building and the community still boasts traditional shipwrights and chandleries. Its attractive streets are lined with a mixture of architectural styles and high walled gardens, thus a walk around the town gives a genuine feel for the past, with exceptional harbour views.
In the summer Chichester Harbour Conservancy's solar powered boat sails around the harbour, from the jetty on the mill pond promenade, while Terror, the last survivor of the famous Victorian oyster fleet, allows small groups of passengers to enjoy the delights of handling the tiller and sails of a small boat on the water.
Portsmouth
The home of the Royal Navy since Henry VIII, Portsmouth is the centre of the maritime and military history of the south coast and has a host of famous places to visit and people to learn about.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard houses some of the city's principal attractions, including Mary Rose, the Tudor navy's flagship, HMS Victory, of Nelson and Trafalgar fame, HMS Warrior, the first ironclad warship. Alongside these wonderful relics of the past are the Royal Naval Museum, Action Stations, for the young, and cruises around Portsmouth Harbour. Visits and tickets can be arranged for you by The Brookfield Hotel.
The Royal Marine Museum, the Submarine Museum, the D-Day Museum, and the Royal Armouries all contain extensive collections outlining the history of their subjects and the people who contributed, while the D-Day Museum contains the wonderful D-Day embroidery commissioned to commemorate that momentous achievement.
Other wonderful places to visit include Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum and Portsmouth City Museum with its recent acquisitions relating to Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. The Spinnaker Tower is a landmark feature that gives stunning views of the city and across The Solent to the Isle of Wight and beyond.
Gunwharf Quays is the ideal place for those who want to "shop 'til they drop" with food and entertainment at hand. 85 designer outlets covering fashion, accessories, footwear, books and music, combined with 20 bars and restaurants, a 14 screen cinema, nightclubs and Jonglers comedy spot make this the ideal consumer destination.
Chichester
This is the perfect example of an English Cathedral city with its medieval walls, still intact for an easy stroll, and Market Cross in the centre of the shopping streets an ideal resting place. The Cathedral dates from the 12th century but has works by Sutherland, Chagall and other modern artists, making it a hub of the artistic aura of the city. The Pallant House Gallery is a nationally renowned art gallery concentrating on 20th century British art, while the Oxmarket offers exhibitions by local artists. Chichester Festival Theatre stages a wonderful range of performance during the summer months, while the Chichester Festivities during June/July showcases all forms of visual arts in and around the city with many national figures speaking and performing.
Historic Houses and Gardens
The South-east Hampshire and West Sussex region is renown for historic sites. Stansted Park near Rowland's Castle shows upstairs and downstairs of Edwardian living, while other properties nearby include Goodwood, the home of the Dukes of Richmond & Gordon, Arundel Castle, owned by the Duke of Norfolk, Petworth House, Parham, Uppark, and Hinton Ampner.
Cowdray Park is an Elizabethan ruin and Portchester Castle is a ruin on a Roman Fort: both offering atmosphere and romantic views.
West Dean Gardens situated in a sheltered valley shows the herbaceous border to perfection, as well as specialising in chillies and tomatoes! Staunton Country Park is based on the original gardens of the Chinese expert, Sir George Staunton, and offers stunning views from the terrace, plus unique specimens of plants.
Other Attractions
The Weald & Downland Museum, Tangmere Aviation Museum, The Cass Sculpture, Fishbourne Roman Palace, The Southdowns Planetarium, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Marwell Zoological Park, Amberley Museum, Jane Austen's house at Chawton and Gilbert White's at Selbourne are just a few of the many attractions easily accessible from The Brookfield Hotel. The staff are always happy to assist and inform you.
Events
This part of the south coast is particularly blessed with major events, from horseracing at Goodwood (Glorious Goodwood in July) and Fontwell, to the Goodwood Revival and Festival of Speed for motor-racing fans, from Polo at Cowdray Park near Midhurst to the outdoor concerts held at Stansted and Petworth Parks in the summer months. Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight, Navy Days and Victorian Weekends at the Historic Dockyard and literary festivals in Chichester, Havant and Winchester are also easy to access from the Brookfield Hotel.
Towns and Open Spaces
The South Downs are the ultimate space for romantic walks for two or solitary peace, stretching from Winchester in the west over 90 miles to Eastbourne in the east. Harting Down, Butser Hill and Cocking Down are within a short distance of the Brookfield Hotel.
Along the northern edge of the South Downs are beautiful examples of English market towns, such as Alresford, Alton, Petersfield, Midhurst and Petworth; all well worth a visit.
To the south of Emsworth is the sea, with access to the Isle of Wight made easy with ferries for cars and vehicles or fast cats and hovercraft for foot passengers.
The major cities of Winchester, Salisbury, Southampton and Brighton are easy to get to by car or public transport, while the New Forest with all its open spaces and attractions, including Beaulieu and Mottisfont, is only 45 miles to the west.
The staff at the Brookfield are happy to assist with train and bus times as well as directions.