Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton, Hampshire
Hamble-Le-Rice is a village on the very outskirts of Southampton, right on the River Hamble, which ain’t a bad spot to be at all. It’s all rather picturesque here, with quaint cottages, cobbled streets, lovely views, and that peaceful maritime air. During the second world war the village was an important aircraft training centre, now boats are more the thing and Hamble is one of the most important yachting destinations in the UK, after Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
So in the summer, it’s bustling, not just with the yachting fraternity, but with people who want to come and spend time here because it’s so nice, and visitors who’ve heard about it and want to come and see for themselves. Consequently there’s a surprising amount of pubs, cafes and restaurants, including Banana Wharf and River Rat, which both get very good reviews.
From Hamble-le-Rice you can catch the pink ferry across the river to Warsash, or take a boat tour with Blue Box Experiences.
All information correct at the time of writing