Sopley
There’s so much to like about a holiday in Sopley. It is a rural village just outside the boundary of the National Park framed by hedgerow-lined lanes affording snapshots of the surrounding farmland, woods, and rambling countryside. To the east, Sopley borders the River Avon, whose chalk beds offer some of the best fishing in the country along with a flood plain and water meadows attracting huge flocks of migratory and breeding birds – the murmurations are legendary.
At the centre of the village is a 17th Century riverside pub with a large beer garden called The Woolpack Inn, which is well-known for miles around for its delicious home-cooked food. But if you fancy dining at your cottage in Sopley, head up the road half a mile to Sopley Farm, which has acres and acres of ‘Pick Your Own’ soft fruits and a year-round supply of vegetables. It’s quite a destination with benches and tables for picnics along with a children’s adventure playground, and during the summer months, live music as well. But, if you would rather not head out to the fields with a basket in hand, they have a farm shop of freshly picked produce and a bakery on site too.
Needless to say, this is an area worth exploring by bike or on foot, and there are plenty of trails to navigate. Especially worth a mention is walking part of the Avon Valley Path. The path starts in Salisbury and follows the meandering River Avon for 34 miles, through woods, nature reserves and meadows brimming with wildflowers to Christchurch Harbour.
Holidays in Sopley have options for lots of days out and activities. For children, the Snowtrax dry Ski slope ringos and adventure play park is a safe bet for smiles and laughter, as is Adventure Wonderland, which in addition to rides based around the Alice in Wonderland theme, also has an indoor play barn. Everyone will love Moors Valley Country Park featuring a narrow gauge steam train, nature trails, Go Ape and Segway tours within its 800 acres of parkland. See birds of prey, reptiles and super-sized creepy crawlies at Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre, and look at one of the finest collections of fully restored vintage motorbikes in the world at the Sammy Miller Museum.
And choosing your holiday cottage in Sopley, you’ll be just ten minutes to the golden, sandy swimming beach at Avon, which borders Christchurch Harbour. Don’t forget to stop for some fish and chips and perhaps try your hand at crabbing from Mudeford Quay.
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