'''Romsey''' [http://www.romseynet.org.uk/] is a picturesque market town in Hampshire, England.

Get in

'''Rail''':

Romsey station is on the route from Portsmouth to Cardiff via Southampton, Salisbury, Bath and Bristol, and direct trains run by First Great Western link Romsey to these places (and some other smaller places along the route) hourly, seven days a week. Occasional through trains also operate, several times daily, to Gloucester, Worcester and Great Malvern, and also along the coast to Chichester and Brighton.

Local stopping services operated by South West Trains also serve Romsey frequently throughout the day and evening, providing additional journeys to Southampton and Salisbury and also link Romsey to Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Southampton Airport, various suburban stations in Southampton, and the nearby villages of Mottisfont & Dunbridge and Dean.

Trains from London, the Midlands and the North do not operate directly to Romsey. Change trains at Southampton Central or Southampton Airport Parkway stations, or take the bus to Romsey from Winchester station.

From the south west of England, change trains at Westbury or Salisbury.

From Bournemouth change at Southampton Central.

A useful tip when travelling from Southampton Central to Romsey is to take a train whose final destination is shown as Salisbury, Bristol or Cardiff. These reach Romsey much more quickly than those whose final destination is actually shown as Romsey, but which travel by a more circuitous route.

Romsey station is located a 5 minute level walk from the town centre.

'''Bus''':

Buses from Winchester (operated by Stagecoach South), Eastleigh (by Wilts & Dorset) and Southampton (by Bluestar) run frequently and stop centrally in the town. Buses from Salisbury run less frequently. Limited services are also available from some nearby villages.

It is worth noting, however, that from Eastleigh, Southampton, and Salisbury the train is generally faster, cheaper and more frequent than the equivalent bus routes.

'''Air''':

The nearest airport is Southampton, about 10 miles away, with flights to domestic and European destinations. Southampton Airport Parkway railway station is next to the airport terminal - trains run directly to Romsey twice an hour.

From Heathrow take the railair coach service to Woking station, then take a train to Winchester, Southampton Airport or Southampton Central for connections to Romsey.

From Gatwick take a direct train to Southampton Central, and change there for a train to Romsey.

'''Car''':

Romsey has very good road links to other parts of the country. The M3 motorway from London and the A34 dual carriageway from the Midlands and the North converge at Winchester. Take the A3090 from Winchester (M3 junction 11) to Romsey. The M27 runs westwards towards the New Forest and Bournemouth, and eastwards towards Portsmouth and Brighton. Junctions 2 and 3 of the M27 are close to Romsey. The A3057 runs north from Romsey to Andover and south to Southampton. The A27 runs north west towards Salisbury. From Bristol and South Wales it is usually quicker to travel via the M4 and A34 than the shorter but much slower A36. Likewise from the South West of England, the route via the A303, B3089, Salisbury and the A27 is often quicker than the A35 and A31.

Parking in Romsey can be difficult on Saturdays, but not any more so than at other market towns. Parking is free after 4pm each day.

Get around

  • The small and pleasant town centre is easily covered on foot.
  • See

  • Romsey Abbey
  • King John's House & Tudor Cottage
  • Broadlands
  • Do

  • Swim at the Romsey Rapids
  • Go to the Plaza Theatre
  • Fish the River Test, one of the most renowned trout rivers in the world. You will, however, need to obtain a permit beforehand.
  • Buy

  • Go to Smith Bradbeers - Romsey's own department store
  • Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

    Get out

  • Hillier's Arboretum, and Mottisfont Abbey and Gardens are both nearby. A free minibus service links the town centre, and Romsey and Mottisfont & Dunbridge railway stations, to these attractions on summer Sundays and Bank Holidays.
  • The New Forest National Park, with its extensive woodlands and heathlands, picturesque villages, and freely roaming livestock, is located a short drive west from the town.