Hampshire Guides Archives - Bright Lights Big City

Alresford, Basingstoke, England, Fleet, Gosport, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, New Forest, Portsmouth, Romsey, Southampton, Titchfield, UK, Uncategorized, Winchester

Where to get real Christmas trees in Hampshire 2021

November 24, 2021December 9, 2021by Rebecca HendersonLeave a Comment

Where to get real Christmas trees in Hampshire is your guide to finding the nearest place across the county to pick a real tree.

Going to get a tree and decorating it is one of the big markers that Christmas is just around the corner. It’s such an exciting time of the year and I love the tradition of picking the tree and the smell of a real fir in the house. It just makes Christmas!

Here’s a guide to help you find where to go around your neck of the woods…

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Autumn, England, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, New Forest, Portsmouth, seasonal, Southampton, Titchfield, UK, Uncategorized

A guide to Pumpkin Picking in Hampshire 2021

September 27, 2021October 10, 2021by Rebecca Henderson6 Comments

Where to pick your own pumpkins in Hampshire this Autumn? The countdown to Halloween is on!

I’ve taken my handy guide to the wonderful farms and fields across the county that I wrote in 2020 and updated it for 2021 with all the essential information you need to know where to go pumpkin picking…

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Alresford, Alresford Food & Drink, Bishops Waltham, Bishops Waltham Food & Drink, England, England Food & Drink, Fareham, Gosport, Hampshire, Hampshire Food & Drink, Hampshire Guides, Petersfield, Petersfield Food & Drink, Portsmouth, Portsmouth Food & Drink, Romsey, Romsey Food & Drink, Things To Do In Hampshire, UK, UK Food & Drink, Uncategorized, Winchester, Winchester Food & Drink

Where To Get Breakfast In Hampshire

May 6, 2021May 5, 2021by Rebecca Henderson4 Comments

Where to get breakfast in Hampshire is a carefully curated list of my favourite places across the county.

I believe a long lazy breakfast or brunch is one of life’s greatest riches, so here I share my favourite places to go, recommendations for your next morning out.

Having a handy list of great restaurants and cafes to go to for a good start to the day is always useful so, that’s why I’ve put together my guide to the best breakfasts in Hampshire.

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England, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, UK, Uncategorized

Hampshire Deliveries for Valentine’s Day 2021

February 9, 2021February 25, 2021by Rebecca HendersonLeave a Comment

Need some inspiration for Valentine’s, Galentine’s or Palentine’s? Hampshire Deliveries for Valentine’s Day 2021 has you covered.

Things are a bit harder in lockdown when you can’t hit the shops. But, never fear online orders and our trusty delivery services are here!

These cute postal deliveries from Hampshire creators for Valentine’s Day 2021 will let someone know you’re thinking about them…

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England, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, UK, Uncategorized

Hampshire Meals for Valentine’s Day at Home

February 8, 2021February 8, 2021by Rebecca HendersonLeave a Comment

Hampshire Meals for Valentine’s Day at Home 2021 is here for you because we can’t go out out, but we shall certainly be staying in in!

You don’t have to sacrifice your dinner plans with these local restaurants offering a slap up meal for you to enjoy at home. And, what better than getting a delivery from a local restaurant in lockdown which supports a local business too.

Oh hello love in lockdown! It’s time to get those orders in…

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England, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, UK, Uncategorized

Experience Hampshire Museums from Home

January 25, 2021January 23, 2021by Rebecca Henderson2 Comments

Experience Hampshire Museums from Home to curate your online adventures and offer some variety to your internet viewing. It’s time to put those viral sea shanties, cat and dance videos down!

I am very guilty of mindless scrolling but, even I have to admit perhaps I’ve watched those ‘Is it too much?’ dog videos yes, a little TOO MUCH!

If you blink and miss an hour or two on social media, here’s a few ways to use your time online a little differently.

A curated collection of online experiences which not only entertain but give your mind and soul some nourishment too.

And, these are all things you can do from the comfort of your own home completely for free.

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Alresford, Andover, Basingstoke, Basingstoke Food & Drink, England, England Food & Drink, Gosport, Hampshire, Hampshire Food & Drink, Hampshire Guides, New Forest, New Forest Food & Drink, Portsmouth, Portsmouth Food & Drink, Southampton, Southampton Food & Drink, UK, UK Food & Drink, Uncategorized, Winchester, Winchester Food & Drink

Independent Coffee Roasters in Hampshire

January 11, 2021January 14, 2021by Rebecca Henderson3 Comments

Up your ‘at home’ coffee game with this helpful directory of Independent Coffee Roasters in Hampshire!

We are incredibly lucky to have a thriving coffee roasting scene in the county, offering a fantastic range of single origin and blended coffees.

I’ve listed local roasters by area to help you easily find a new morning brew to try. And, all of them deliver straight to your door!

Let your journey into Hampshire coffee begin…

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England, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, seasonal, UK, Uncategorized, Winter

Five Winter Walks in Hampshire

January 6, 2021April 11, 2021by Rebecca Henderson2 Comments

With these Five Winter Walks in Hampshire you can stomp and yomp your way through the county’s stunning scenery.

These walks have brought me a lot of joy over the past year, and I hope they do you too.

Pull on those boots, stretch those legs and dust off those cobwebs to get those happy endorphins pumping!

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England, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, seasonal, UK, Uncategorized, Winter

Hampshire Christmas Wreath Making Kits 2020

November 26, 2020November 26, 2020by Rebecca Henderson1 Comment

Discover Christmas Wreath Making Kits from Hampshire florists near you! Perfect for getting in the Christmas Spirit and holding on to those traditions in 2020.

Normally I make a wreath every year at a workshop but, it’s unclear if they can go ahead. I don’t want to miss out so a kit delivery is the perfect alternative, and might suit you too.

If you’re looking for a Wreath Making Kit from Hampshire, I’ve take the hard work out of the research and you can find a beautiful selection of kits across the county in this post. Take a look…

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England, Hampshire, Hampshire Guides, seasonal, UK, Uncategorized, Winter

How to get that Festive Feeling in 2020

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020by Rebecca Henderson2 Comments

Have you been wondering how to get that festive feeling in 2020? I certainly have.

All those little outings, traditions and things we do to make the season festive seem to be scattered with uncertainty.

But, if you look a little closer there’s plenty of things still to do and tweaks to traditions that can be made.

These suggestions will help you find a way through what will possibly be one of the strangest Christmas seasons we’ve ever had.

Pull on your Christmas jumper, strap on your reindeer ears and get ready to wobble your belly like a bowl full of jelly, because I’m here with some ideas to inject some festive feels into your life.

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Welcome to Bright Lights Big City!

If day trips and big eats are your thing, you’ve landed in the right place.

I’m Bex, I live in a beautiful county called Hampshire on the South Coast of the UK and I love living by the sea. The county is famous for growing watercress, its maritime history and for being Jane Austen’s home among many other famous literary giants.

I share my travels, great places to eat and as many different and unique experiences as I can with you through this blog.

Take a look around to see what I’ve been up to and for top travel and food recommendations.

Hampshire and Cornwall are by far my biggest sections but new posts are being added all the time, so please sign up to receive notifications of what’s been published lately.

Click on ‘Home’ to see the latest posts. But, if you’re new you might want to head to ‘Start Here’.

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for a specific place, you can also search by location under ‘Destination’.