#MSEStaycation - South

PompeyPete

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

Living in Southampton and therefore having spent plenty of time in nearby Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quays I cannot agree it's money well spent.

There a lot of designer shops, while discounted, they are still very expensive. I cannot justify spending £30 for a polo top in Crew or £40 for a hoodie in North Face. The only shops we go to there are Denby, Gap & Radley (blame the other half).

You don't have to spend at Gunwharf Quays or even go into any of the shops. It's a pleasant place just to wander around, sit by the small marina and watch all the traffic on the water. There's also a lot of Naval History about the place, it used to be HMS VERNON.

Ballard

If naturism is your thing then you could do a lot worse than the Naturist Foundation which is just inside the M25 near Swanley. Set in lovely woodlands with a swimming pool, p!tanque and miniten (a version of tennis) courts and a very reasonably priced bar.

I spend most weekends there during the summer so if you are interested get in touch and I will answer any questions. They have a lot going on during the year so take a look at the website.

https://www.naturistfoundation.org/

Edit: I should probably make it absolutely clear that this is a family friendly place with a zero tolerance for anything dodgy.

Damn the inability to use quote marks after an edit.

Former_MSE_Nick_T

Ballard wrote: »

If naturism is your thing then you could do a lot worse than the Naturist Foundation which is just inside the M25 near Swanley. Set in lovely woodlands with a swimming pool, p!tanque and miniten (a version of tennis) courts and a very reasonably priced bar.

I spend most weekends there during the summer so if you are interested get in touch and I will answer any questions. They have a lot going on during the year so take a look at the website.

https://www.naturistfoundation.org/

Edit: I should probably make it absolutely clear that this is a family friendly place with a zero tolerance for anything dodgy.

Damn the inability to use quote marks after an edit.

Like the sound of this, and the last bit is pretty perfect. Family friendly tips are big on the list.

Ballard

MSE_Nick_T wrote: »

Like the sound of this, and the last bit is pretty perfect. Family friendly tips are big on the list.

I think that it’s now possible to book a visit through the website if you do fancy it. I always look forward to my visits and can highly recommend it.

hollydays

A lot is not one word.

vikingaero

I'm going to recommend a day out in Hastings. Hastings still has that run down seaside town setting but with an added Bohemian feel.

Start off at the Blue Reef Aquarium. It's small and expensive so don't go in unless you have a voucher.

(1) Directly opposite the Blue Reef Aquarium is the Shipwreck Museum (free but donations welcome).

(2) 150 yards or so along Rock-A-Nore road is the Fishermans Museum (free but donations welcome) which has a real fishing boat inside that you can climb on.

(3) Then explore The Stade and head on to the RNLI Lifeboat Station which is often open (free again but donations welcome).

(4) You have the East and West Cliff Railways which cost a few quid return.

(5) There are 1001 fish and chip shops along the seafront all of which are pretty decent. There are two notables that we like: Mwah Dim Sum and Di Paolos Ice Cream which are next door to each other.

(6) George Street is the eclectic shopping street full of weird shops and independent cafes.

(7) The centre of town is the usual town centre full of normal high street brands and The John Logie Baird Wetherspoons. The jewel in the crown is the Esk Department Store. Full of utter tat, brands of food that you've never heard of but may as well try because it's cheap. It's got so much stuff in there, but at competitive prices.

(8) Head on from Esk up to the Hastings Museum & Art Gallery (free donations blah blah)

(9) Then down to the Pier because it's been refurbished and lots of stuff going on and ever changing.

(10) The walk west along the seafront is nice and unlike usual seaside towns with lots of small shops and cafes. Warriors Square makes a nice green break. If you make it as far as Marine Parade, the Art Deco Ship like building, then there is my favourite place: Half Man Half Burger! http://www.halfmanhalfburger.com/hastings/

If you have time then consider spending time in Bexhill. You have the De La Warr Pavilion (free) and the Bexhill Museum (charges). Most of the street parking in Bexhill is free.