In these incredibly uncertain and difficult times, visitors and local communities are still able to engage with attractions and producers in the Hampshire corner of the South Downs National Park.
There’s a real sprouting of ingenious projects such as online exhibitions, deliveries to local people, resources to keep the children entertained and educated, virtual tours, a sharing of memories, images and more.
After all of this calms down, here is a beautiful itinerary that you can follow when you visit the Hampshire (we will!)
Hampshire Itinerary (what to visit, where to stay and where to eat)
Butser Ancient Farm lambs
At the experimental archaeology site, Butser Ancient Farm lambs have just been born and two of its English goats are pregnant. These are a critically rare breed with less than 100 registered in this country. The goats will be born in June and they may even be twins which will be a great boost to the breed!
The excitement will be shared online so people who planned to visit can still witness the spring joy of these animals. See https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/ or Facebook for more information.
See the beautiful video they have online: https://youtu.be/hpTti9DLurg
Rural Life Living Museum
The Rural Life Living Museum, on the other hand, has opened an online shop with Folksy, giving people a chance to keep in touch with the Museum by buying a small slice of rural life! This will also help to keep its fundraising going.
The Facebook page is being kept up to date with museum memories etc. And there are blogs with the Museum’s news, too. https://rural-life.org.uk/ https://folksy.com/shops/RuralLifeLivingMuseum
Jane Austen Fans
And it’s easy to keep up with all things Jane Austen through Jane Austen’s House, which is sharing memories, news, stories, photos and videos on social media to keep people in touch and inspired. For example, why not explore which are the best on-screen adaptations of Jane’s work? Jane’s Emma believed ‘there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.’ So now is the time to enjoy on-demand streaming of Emma, barely a month after it hit the cinema screens.
Stream www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2020/mar/best-jane-austen-film-adaptation-emma or hear the stories, pictures and views of all things JaneAusten and her beloved house from the amazing volunteers.
Nicola Scarlett kicks things off with her ‘Musings on Elizabeth Bennet’: Read buffly/2QLjfi3! or go to https://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/single-post/2020/03/25/From-our-volunteers.
And there’s exciting news just breaking – newly-acquired collection items are being launched on the new Jane Austen’s House website. The new items depict a jilted fiancee, Austen family friends and a modern tribute to Mr Darcy!
Videos of the collection will be on the website and also shared via social media, allowing the public a sneak peek at the new treasures, presently closed to the public due to the Coronavirus. Items include portrait miniatures, a charming hand-painted decorative fan, inscribed ‘The Devoted to Darcy Forever Fan Club’, (which bears a striking resemblance to Colin Firth) and more.
These new objects will be part of refreshed room displays throughout the House, which sees a focus on Regency dress and needlework, Jane Austen’s family portraits and pastimes, and her love of nature and the outdoors. While the Museum must remain closed, it wants to give the public a chance to step into Jane Austen’s world and capture a glimpse of what her life was like. The first ‘Treasures from the Collection’ videos focus on these new objects, and can be found at https://janeaustens.house/display/new-acquisitions/
Chawton House
The former home of Jane Austen’s brother – will introduce new ways of enjoying all that is done at the house – from the comfort of home. The first is The University of Southampton’s free online course, Jane Austen: Myth, Reality and Global Celebrity, which is now open. It is produced in partnership with Chawton House, using its collection.
Now is the perfect time to sign up. Jane Austen went from being a moderately successful anonymous novelist in her own time to a global celebrity in ours. On this course, participants will explore how that happened, exploring Austen’s own literary influences, and her reputation over time. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/jane-austen
And there’s a chance to read through all the Chawton House Novels online, the transcripts can be found at https://chawtonhouse.org/the-library/library-collections/womens-writing-in-english/novels-online/
And Chawton House will be doing Easter Afternoon Tea Deliveries following the popularity of the Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea in a Box delivery service.
On Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday you will be able to receive a delicious Easter-themed Afternoon Tea in a box comprising a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade scones with butter, clotted cream and strawberry jam, a mini cake selection and a choice of Teapigs tea, coffee or hot chocolate (they supply the ingredients, you supply the hot water!).
The cost is £10 per person, and includes delivery to the following postcodes between 12 and 4pm: GU34, GU32, GU33, GU35, GU10, SO24, RG22 and RG29 (email info@chawtonhouse.org).
Chawton House and Jane Austen’s House have teamed up to bring people a little cheer during this time. The idea is to showcase various elements of the two attractions, following the order of the rainbow, inspired by #rainbowsofhope. They will both highlight some of their favourite objects in their collections, focussing on the different colours of the rainbow.
They are encouraging other attractions, museums and followers to join in too and Hampshire Top Attractions, which includes Butser Ancient Farm, Chawton House, Jane Austen’s House, Gilbert White’s House, the Watercress Line, Staunton Country Park and Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Birdworld and Hollycombe Steam Collection, have joined the campaign.
Starting on Monday 29 March, for the next seven weeks they’ll post images in ROYGBIV order that they find special https://chawtonhouse.org/, https://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/, https://www.hampshireattractions.co.uk/
Hampshire Cultural Trust’s museums, galleries and arts centres:
…are closed, but they’re still bringing you the very best of arts and culture in Hampshire – the doors are open, virtually!
Culture on Call is its new blog, which is being launched to bring culture and communities together during the challenge that is the coronavirus crisis. You’ll be able to choose from fascinating insights into local history to fun things to make and do at home, curious objects from the collections and more. In this area the Allen Gallery and Curtis Museum in Alton are run by Hampshire Cultural Trust. https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/, https://www.cultureoncall.com/
South Downs National Park
And the South Downs National Park Authority is currently collating information about local food and drink initiatives still operating to communities across the National Park. It has also introduced lots of ways for people to connect with nature remotely.
These include virtual walks of stunning beauty spots in the National Park which you can join via the Park’s video section on Facebook, a 10th anniversary online quiz competition, footage of otters, reptiles, birds, magical woodlands and chalk grassland to help people enjoy the wildlife of the National Park (via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube), a newsletter for updates, wildlife diaries from the Sussex Wildlife Trust and online resources for children such as its Learning Zone. https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/discover/ And you can also get a taste of the stunning landscape of the Downs through Friends of the South Downs, who have produced a number of videos on YouTube.
National Trust #BlossomWatch
Another great nature initiative comes from the National Trust, who has launched a brand new project. #BlossomWatch is designed to emulate Japan’s Hanami – an ancient celebration of the blossom season.
People are being asked to join in this marking of the first sign of spring by looking out for trees and bushes in flower, pausing for a moment to enjoy the fleeting beauty of blossom and sharing images on social media. This allows everyone, including people who don’t have access to such wonders, to enjoy this time of the year.
The move is part of the Trust’s campaign to help people of all ages to become more connected with everyday nature. National Trust properties like Hinton Ampner in East Hampshire are sharing their own beautiful blossom images via social media etc.
Plenty of blossom facts and images plus content for all ages can be found at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/blossom-in-the-south-east And to engage younger children Education volunteer Kirstie Rogers has put together some Spring nature activities to excite and inspire young imaginations.
See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/blossom-nature-activities-for-younger-children
Where to Stay: Old Thorns Hotel
To get wonderful inspiration of where to stay in the area look no further than Old Thorns Hotel. They have put together a 360 degree virtual tour to allow you to view the entire hotel and resort from your armchair! Walk around the property as if you were there, view hotspots to give you extra information and even use the measuring tool to get dimensions (ideal for wedding and event planners!). The tour even features the hotel cat! https://www.oldthorns.com/about-old-thorns/old-thorns-virtual-tour/
And, for something different, visit the website of Two Hoots adult-only glamping and campsite. This award-winning site has produced a charming video about its site and you can get a taste of what to expect from a stay in one of its eco pods or shepherd’s huts. Another idea for the end of lock-down! https://www.twohootscampsite.co.uk/video#video
Helping tourism businesses
The Marketing Collective agency has been supporting struggling tourism businesses through a strong social media campaign and good advice to help them keep in the public eye and then get up to strength once they open again to the public.
One initiative is helping Hampshire gardens now closed to the public – with projects like a ‘grow your own’ leaflet: https://www.themarketing-collective.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Grow-your-own-ideas-Hampshire-gardens.pdf
Link to the Marketing Collective Planner – https://bit.ly/TMCPlanner and Tips for working from home https://www.themarketing-collective.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Helpful-tips-working-from-home.pdf
The Marketing Collective has also put together lots of helpful resources for children and adults alike – from virtual armchair tours to wordsearches, colouring and drawing activities and more, collated from the members of Hampshire Top Attractions:
- https://www.hampshireattractions.co.uk/social-distancing-friendly-activities-for-children/
- https://www.hampshireattractions.co.uk/take-an-armchair-tour-of-hampshires-top-attractions/
- https://www.hampshireattractions.co.uk/learn-something-new-with-hampshires-top-attractions/
- https://www.themarketing-collective.com/
Gilbert White’s House
For news of local community initiatives, Gilbert White’s House, the former home of the eighteenth century pioneering ecologist and naturalist, has teamed up with the local pub, The Selborne Arms, to create a lifeline for the village.
They have been providing takeaway dinners from the newly-restored White’s cafe, and selling basic items such as bread, milk, and even some toilet roll – an essential service as there is no shop in this rural village. Staff have been delivering things to people who can’t leave their houses, and the gratitude from the village has been really overwhelming .
There’s also a vast library of education and learning fun from Gilbert White’s House – from scavenger hunts which can be done in your own garden, to colouring sheets and mini-beast identification. Why not see what you can find in your garden and then compare that to what you can find at Gilbert White’s in Selborne when you next visit. www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/
Applegarth Farm
And Applegarth Farm Is also doing their bit by getting food delivered to the local community.
They have set up an online ordering facility for both restaurant meals which can be heated up at home and 70 different shop products that can be added to this order. They have also partnered with 4 other local shops to create a hub of delivery for non-Applegarth, but essential products such as meats and butchery, cleaning products and homeware, vitamins and health supplements. https://www.applegarthfarm.co.uk/
For more information about visiting the area once restrictions are eased off visit www.easthants.gov.uk/tourism
