SOUTHERN SEES

Titanic struggles, medieval halls and otters are among the many highlights of Victor Charles' Hampshire tour

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WHEN WE ARRIVED at Mercury Yacht Harbour and Holiday Park in Hamble, Hampshire, the site was waterlogged after heavy rain. The warden put us on one of the few dry pitches and told us to keep the car near the road, so we didn't get stuck in the mud!

Romantic ruined abbey

We set out to explore the area and stopped at Netley Abbey, a medieval monastery founded in 1239 by Cistercian monks. Today, the abbey is a romantic ruin, owned by English Heritage. We saw the Abbot's House, where he entertained guests, and admired the ornate ruins of the Abbey Church.

The abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536 and became a private residence it was home to Sir William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester. It was then occupied until 1704, then sold for building materials. The abbey only survived because a worker involved in the demolition was killed, so work ceased.

Just up the road is the Royal Victoria Country Park, where from 1863 until 1966, the Royal Victoria Hospital stood. This old military hospital was in ruins following two fires and a flood, so the authorities demolished it, leaving just the hospital church, now a museum. It contains interesting exhibits and curiosities exploring medicinal treatments of the past.

The hospital took many casualties during the World Wars. Today, a timeline highlights significant events, and exhibitions explore the history of medicine. One display describes the asylum where soldiers suffering from shell shock suffered the added barbarism of being treated with electric shock therapy.

Outside, the 200-acre park is beautiful, with views of the estuary and passing ships. As the museum closed, it started to rain. We arrived back at camp a little wetter, and enjoyed a warming soup while we planned the week ahead.