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Your
activity
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Your
guided night walk provides a great opportunity to
get to know your fellow ‘discoverers’ as your
guide takes you through the paths, lanes and woods of the
Hampshire Downs by night, pointing out the local wildlife
and, weather permitting, the stars above.
The farm safari will give you a real insight into sustainable
farming methods, different livestock and how the landscape
has developed over the centuries.
Visit Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire’s biggest
country park, with over 20 miles of walks and rides and
Butser Hill National Nature Reserve, the highest point on
the south downs.
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The night walk and farm safari are accompanied;
explore Queen Elizabeth Country Park using your Discovery
information.
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Your guide will help you gain a real
understanding of this part of the Downs by night on this
4-5km/ 2hr 'moderate' difficulty walk.
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The farm safari is led by the farmer and
gives you the opportunity to learn about the surrounding
countryside. The same family has managed this farm since
1905.
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Queen Elizabeth Country Park is open 10am–5.30pm
daily; you can enjoy the ample walks, nature reserve,
shop, café and visitor centre. The visitor centre
often hosts art
exhibitions (external link) and events
(external link).
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We have allowed for plenty of free time
to use your Discovery Pack to explore the local area including
the 55-acre site of The Sustainability Centre.
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Don’t forget to bring walking gear
and wet weather clothing, just in case!
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Your
accommodation
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The newly refurbished Wetherdown Hostel
is situated at the Sustainability Centre at East Meon in
Hampshire. It is right on top of the South Downs and benefits
from some of the best views in Hampshire.
The Centre is a 55-acre site where the ideals of sustainable
living, sustainable business, sustainable leisure and sustainable
economic growth are developed, promoted and taught.
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Continental style breakfast, packed
lunch and one evening meal included.
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Priority given to sourcing local and
organic food where possible.
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Single rooms or twin/ triple bunk rooms
available.
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5 rooms with wheelchair access.
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Option of tepee accommodation for up
to six.
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Renewable energy features include:
solar electricity, biomass boiler supplied by wood
coppiced on site, rainwater collection.
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For a 'multimap' showing location click
here (external link).
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Your
destination
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East Meon is one of Hampshire's loveliest
and most historic parishes, located in the East Hampshire
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the banks of the River
Meon. In 1986, the 900th anniversary of the "Domesday
Book" the village of East Meon was chosen as "The
Domesday Village".
East Meon itself may have started life somewhere between
400 and 600 AD. It was once part of a Royal Manor belonging
to King Alfred the Great and was later owned by William
the Conqueror.
Above the village are the rolling chalk downlands, dramatic
open hilltops and dotted woodland of the South Downs.
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The South Downs Way national trail plus
many other rights of way for walkers, cyclists and horse
riders.
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Five local walks around East Meon can
be accessed here.
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Bronze age burial barrows dating back
to 2,000 BC.
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Old Winchester Hill nature reserve and
Iron age hill fort.
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Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
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Butser Ancient Farm - replica of an Iron
Age Farm circa 300BC.
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Rich and abundant local wildlife.
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East Meon church dates between 1075 and
1150, resembling Winchester Cathedral in style.
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The village has two stores and two pubs
both serving food.
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Your
free Discovery Pack
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The Discovery Pack is a combination of
specially tailored Discovery Information and a
Discovery Product for you to experience during
your break and then take home to use after your break.
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Discovery Information consists
of details of the activities you have chosen and of
local area information including a description, history,
maps, places to visit, etc. click
here for more details.
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The Discovery Information is
sent to you as a website when you book so that you can
plan ahead and make the most of your stay.
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Choose which local walks or cycle rides
you would like to do from the doorstep of your accommodation.
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Choose your Discovery Product
before you travel from a selection of products specifically
tailored for you or your chosen Discovery Break.
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Example products for ‘The Beauty
of the South Downs’ might include: A wind-up torch,
a pack of natural pest control treatment for organic gardeners,
or (for the family) a rucksack made from recycled plastic
bottles.
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Break
itinerary |
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local breakfast included each morning |
| Day
1 - Arrive from 5pm, supper 7pm, night walk
8pm |
| Day
2 - Farm Safari (am); self-led (pm). Free to
try local pub for supper |
| Day
3 - Self-led day in Queen Elizabeth Country
Park |
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Additional
highlights |
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| Demonstration
of green living ideas at The Sustainability Centre |
| Local
guides, giving a unique insight into the area |
| Permaculture
and coppicing in practice |
| Support
a community following its own sustainable ‘Village
Design Statement’ (external link). |
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Tailor
made options |
| Pick
your own interests from your Discovery Information
(included) |
| Choose
your own tailored Discovery Product (included) |
| Cycle
hire (extra cost) |
| Let
us organise your train travel and taxi to/ from
The Sustainability Centre (extra cost) |
| Anything
else? Just get in touch to discuss |
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Giving
something back |
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| We
offset carbon emissions associated
with your travel and stay |
| We
support local projects that aim to improve
the environment |
| We
provide a Take Home environmental
experience for our guests |
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