LOCAL ATTRACTIONS | OLD THORNS
Along with the extensive facilities at Old Thorns, there are dozens of great attractions nearby, from heritage sites to theme parks. We have listed some of the best below – why not make the most of your stay and pay them a visit?
Haslemere Educational Museum
Distance: 1.5 miles
Travel through time from the rocks and fossils of millions of years ago, past Egyptian pyramids until you enter the world of the Victorian collections.
Website: www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk
Hollycombe Working Steam Museum
Distance: 3.1 miles
The Hollycombe Steam Collection, in Liphook Hampshire (on the Sussex Border), is the largest traditional Heritage Fairground in Britain, and includes a fully working steam fairground, narrow gauge and miniature steam railways.
Website: www.hollycombe.co.uk
Go Ape!
Distance: 6.5 miles
There is something for the whole family at Alice Holt. Cool adventure playgrounds, great bike trails and a terrific Go Ape course all an arrows flight from where they filmed the opening scenes of the Gladiator.
Website: www.goape.co.uk/days-out-in/surrey/alice-holt
Bird World
Distance: 7.4 miles
Situated 3 miles south of Surrey. Britain’s largest bird park around 26 acres of aviaries and beautiful landscaped gardens.
Website: www.birdworld.co.uk
Uppark House near Petersfield
Distance: 8.8 miles
A fine late 17th-century house set high on the South Downs with magnificent sweeping views to the sea. An extensive, award-winning exhibition tells the dramatic story of the 1989 fire and restoration of the house and its collections. The elegant Georgian interior houses a famous Grand Tour collection that includes paintings, furniture and ceramics.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Chichester Cathedral
Distance: 10.8 miles
Chichester Cathedral is a magnificent building which has stood at the centre of Chichester for nearly 1000 years. A wonderful combination of the ancient and the modern, it holds a number of treasures including the 12th century Lazarus Reliefs and works by Sutherland, Chagall and Piper.
Website: www.chichestercathedral.org.uk
Petworth House & Park
Distance: 11.3 miles
An old market town, is an ideal place to stroll through narrow streets, alleyways and pretty cobbled squares, with fine shops and restaurants.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/petworth/
Jane Austen’s House Museum
Distance: 11.6 miles
The novelist Jane Austen is known worldwide for her popular novels describing the society of pre industrial England. She spent the last eight years of her life at Chawton in the 17th century house which is now preserved in her memory.
Website: www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk
Goodwood House & Race course
Distance: 14 miles
International sporting venue, Family home to the Earl of March. Major Society Events, The Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival, Festival Week, Glorious Goodwood.
Website: www.goodwood.co.uk
Guildford
Distance: 16 miles
The historic town of Guildford is positioned neatly between the rolling North Downs and the winding River Wey & has a notable past that hails back to Saxon times. It is said that Guildford took its name from ‘Guilden ford’ – meaning ‘golden water’.
Website: www.guildford.org.uk
Arundel Castle
Distance: 19.4 miles
Set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens, Arundel Castle has been open to visitors seasonally for nearly 200 years. It is one of the great treasure houses of England, each having its own unique place in history and is home to priceless works of art. See paintings and furniture, tapestries and stained glass, china and clocks, sculpture and carving, heraldry and armour in stunning room settings.
Website: www.arundelcastle.org
Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard
Distance: 22.5 miles
The newest addition to Portsmouth’s landscape, the Spinnaker Tower soars to a height of 170 metres and offers three viewing platforms with the most exciting views across the south coast, particularly the Historic Dockyard – one of the most historic sights in Portsmouth, with over 800 years of maritime history on offer.
Website: www.historicdockyard.co.uk
Gunwharf Quays
Distance: 22.7 miles
Landscaped in a historic setting, with the famous Dockyard and Old Portsmouth only a short walk away, Gunwharf Quays is where old and new come together. Once you’ve experienced shopping in the pedestrian avenues, soaked up the spectacular views across the harbour, and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, we’re sure you’ll be back time and time again.
Website: www.gunwharf-quays.com
Chessington World of Adventures
Distance: 25.3 miles
Family fun day out with lots to at Chessington World of Adventures theme park and zoo.
Website: www.chessington.com
South Downs
Distance: 26.5 miles
There are great Country Parks within the South Downs, ideal for a family day out.
Website: www.visitsouthdowns.com
Thorpe Park
Distance: 27 miles
The UK’s most thrilling theme park, with more thrill rides than any theme park in the country – you’ll enjoy an adrenaline packed day!
Website: www.ThorpePark.com