Welcome
The Potters Heron presents a charming chocolate-box look on the outside with its beautiful thatched roof and deep eaves but step inside and and find a much more 21st century feel with light, airy interiors and a soothing colours.
You can always be sure of a very warm welcome at The Potters Heron. We have 53 delightful bedrooms, a large restaurant and a welcoming bar. We also have a variety of different-sized rooms for weddings, parties, private dinners, conferences, meetings, training courses. We offer a real break from the busy world whether you’re passing through on business, dropping in for a drink and a bite to eat or arranging your special wedding.
At the Potters Heron we’re within easy reach of both the business, leisure and cultural towns of Winchester and Southampton, as well as the peace and quiet of the New Forest and the expansive seashore on the south coast.
What's New at the Potters Heron...
New Bar/Restaurant Menus and Wine List
Check out our new menus for the Restaurant, daytime Bar and evening Bar ......
...... and we've also got a brand new wine list!
What our guests say about us...
16 February 2014:
"Just had to say how fantastic our stay was in room 43. Our valentine meal was gorgeous and the staff were fantastic. One girl called Wanna remembered us from Xmas Day with you; she is a credit to your hotel. Please keep us informed of any special offers or events as we want to come back. Thank you for all your help sorting out our stay. Many thanks, Elaine”.
Other recent comments:
"Exceptional service"
"Home from home"
"Thatched heaven"
"Comfortable hotel and friendly staff"
“Stylish, welcoming & excellent service”
What's new ...... STOP PRESS...
Tourist Information Point
The Potters Heron Hotel recently became one of the newly created regional and official "Tourism South East" Tourist Information Points.
After the Southampton Tourist Information Centre was disbanded in 2013, several local hotels have taken over the provision of tourist information to visitors to the region and their own hotels and the Potters Heron Hotel joined this small group at the end of February.
After staff training completed earlier in February, our team of receptionists are able and eager to share their newly acquired knowledge about the region's tourism attractions with you.
LateRooms.com 2013 award for excellent guest service
The Potters Heron Hotel has been awarded a '2013 Simply the Guest' award by the world renowned "LateRooms.com" bookings agency, in recognition of excellent guest service provided in 2013. The award is based on the many excellent, genuine guest reviews for the hotel during the year.
Booking.com Guest Review score
BOOKING.COM AWARDS 2013 GUEST REVIEW SCORE TO POTTERS HERON HOTEL. [FEBRUARY 2014].
Booking.com has awarded the Potters Heron Hotel a 2013 Guest Review Score of 8.1, following ongoing reviews by its customers, using the Potters Heron Hotel during last year. Frank Postel, general manager, commented: “ We are very pleased and proud to, once again, have been favourably reviewed by our guests, using the Booking.com website to book bedrooms with us. It is a testament to the hard work of our team that ensures every guest is well looked after and pleased with their stay. Many guests keep on returning….”..
Visitor attractions in our area...
You can find an abundance of visitor attractions in Ampfield and surrounding areas, providing plenty of ideas and the perfect excuse to book your short break or Hampshire holiday here in our hotel.
Below is a list of local attractions within easy reach of The Potters Heron Hotel.
Just click on a name for more details and a link to each attraction ......
Beaulieu is a guaranteed great family day out with lots for everyone to enjoy including the world famous National Motor Museum, home to a stunning collection of automobiles telling the history of motoring through modern rally cars and F1 Grand Prix machines, Palace House, home of the Montagu family, historic Beaulieu Abbey which was founded in 1204 by Cistercian Monks, BOND IN MOTION, the world's largest official collection of original James Bond vehicles, World of Top Gear featuring vehicles from some of the most ambitious challenges and On Screen Cars where the car is the star and includes TV and film favourites.
www.beaulieu.co.uk
The New Forest is a lively, working landscape with many secrets to discover. The way to discover and to reveal The New Forest's hidden gems and to appreciate the sights, sounds and smells of the forest is to get out there and explore. Try to escape from the confines of the car and head out on foot, bicycle or on horseback to get a more intimate feel of the forest and villages.
The New Forest is a genuine walker's paradise with many circular and linear routes. There are many picnic sites with toilet facilities, all of which are carefully sited to allow visitors safe and easy access to a variety of forest landscapes. All year round there are guided walks where local experts will tell you about the history, geology, wildlife and folklore beneath your feet. You can even explore the forest on a ranger-led New Forest event. The New Forest is a fantastic place for cycling with miles and miles of traffic free off-road tracks leading you right into the heart of the forest with few hills to worry about.
www.thenewforest.co.uk
In the picturesque landscape of the Test Valley in west Hampshire, just 5 miles from the hotel , the River Test meanders through ancient woodlands, tranquil water meadows and rolling chalk hills.
Thatched cottages and welcoming pubs in Test Valley's picturesque villages add to the area's charm and there are attractions for all ages, such as The Hawk Conservancy Trust, the rose gardens at Mottisfont and Whitchurch Silk Mill.
www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/places-to-visit/test-valley
Southampton is well known for its many historic art galleries (SeaCity Museum, Southampton City Art Gallery, Tudor House and Garden, Westgate Hall (formerly Tudor Merchants Hall), Collections Management Centre (Unit 31, City Industrial Park). With a wide variety of collections these museums will educate and entertain you for a whole weekend! See our website for more information.
www.southampton.gov.uk/s-leisure/artsheritage/museums-galleries
“Broadlands” is well remembered as a royal honeymoon pad, and who can blame them? They must have felt very much at home. The house has had a major overhaul and is open to the public just two months of the year to view.
Henry Holland completed the house in the later 1700s, although the earliest dwelling was a part of Romsey Abbey before the time of the Conquest. The Mountbatten family, whose home it is, have an extensive history going back to those times.
The gracious grounds lead down to the river, the house still has about it that formality that is a strange blend of architecture and politics, and is well worth exploring.
www.stately-homes.com/broadlands
Royal Victoria Country Park is fun for all the family, there is a lot of history to be learnt and attractions to see from Heritage Visitor Centre, Tour Towers, Miniature Railway, Dog Walking and much more! Have a look at our website for more details.
www3.hants.gov.uk/rvcp
Romsey Abbey, with its lofty nave and distinctive Norman arches, is one of the most imposing churches in Southern England and well worth a visit. Inside you will find the tomb of Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the original bill of sale for the building to the townspeople of Romsey in 1544 and a carved stone crucifix dating from Saxon times.
www.romseyabbey.org.uk
The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are famous the world over. Among its outstanding features are the splendour of the seasonal planting displays set in 180 acres.
www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens.htm
For over a thousand years, people have come to seek inspiration in this magnificent Cathedral. Today, the cathedral welcomes 300,000 visitors annually to share worship, explore the heritage and attend one of many events. “Welcome to our website, and I hope that it will inspire you to visit in person.” The Very Reverend James Atwell, Dean of Winchester.
www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk
A real agricultural show and great day out with something for all the family – that’s The Romsey Show, which takes place at “Broadlands” on Saturday 13 of September 2014. The show is one of the oldest in England, held annually since 1842.
www.romseyshow.co.uk
Music, dance, fun and entertainment come to the streets of Romsey on Saturday 12 July 2014 when the Beggars Fair next hits town.
In the streets and in venues all around the town the best of local performers bring you folk, jazz, blues and world music and colourful dance displays.
The Beggars Fair has been running since 1993 and showcases local talent in a friendly environment. From big bands on the Cornmarket stage to intimate acoustic music in tranquil gardens, cheerful pub sessions and spellbinding storytelling, the day has a great atmosphere that keeps bringing people (and performers!) back year after year.
www.beggars-fair.org.uk/site
Paulton’s Park Home has over 60 family rides and attractions waiting for your family to discover and the park is now the home of “Peppa Pig” world with a huge indoor themed play area, you can have fun rain or shine!
www.paultonspark.co.uk
It is one of Europe's largest purpose built marinas with over 2km of pontoons, which displayes more than 300 boats.
www.southamptonboatshow.com/2013/whats_on/top_reasons_to_visit.aspx
Featuring the brand new Mary Rose Museum and world famous ships HMS Victory and HMS Warrior (1860), Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a great day out for all the family.
With 800 years of history and encompassing the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Action Stations and Harbour Tours, there's plenty to see and do.
Situated within a working Naval Base, the Historic Dockyard is the only place in the world to see the Royal Navy past, present and future - a must for anyone visiting the south of England.
www.historicdockyard.co.uk
Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben and has already established itself as a national icon for Britain.
A world class visitor attraction, the much-admired, elegant viewing Tower stands proud over one of the most fascinating seascapes in the world. Situated on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, it offers amazing 350º panoramic views of Portsmouth Harbour, the South coast and the Isle of Wight, with views stretching out for up to 23 miles – breathtaking by day and a glittering sea of lights by night.
There are 3 view decks to explore including Cafe in the Clouds at 105 metres above sea level, plus a gift shop and Waterfront Cafe on ground level.
www.spinnakertower.co.uk/about.aspx
West Quay, located in the heart of Southampton city centre, boasting over 90 stores spread over three shopping levels.
With major stores including Marks & Spencer and John Lewis and leading fashion retailers such as French Connection, Coast, Dune, Zara and River Island, you can be certain to find exactly what you’re looking for.
www.west-quay.co.uk/shops
Southampton Airport is the local airport you can breeze through, linking the South Coast with around 50 destinations across Europe. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, rediscover the joy of flying at Southampton Airport.
www.southamptonairport.com
Southampton is the UK's number one cruise port, with 4 passenger cruise terminals in operation and a fifth due to open in 2013, there has never been a bigger choice of cruises from the UK. Whilst Southampton is home to P&O Cruises and Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea Cruises also operate sailings from the port.
www.southamptoncruisecentre.com/southampton-cruise-terminals.phtml