Weekend near Winchester with elderly mother. Ideas needed please

[TheLastParty]

I am planning a weekend with my elderly mother and looking for some recommendations.

Circular walks no more than 2 -3 miles. Wildlife. Quaint villages.

Craft / antique / quirky shops. She loves charity shops as well.

Pubs / cafes for lunch with good vegetarian options.

So far I'm thinking Alresford. Prefer not to drive too far.

Please share your recommendations

Jane Austen's House at Chawton if you are interested in that sort of thing.

Romsey? Charity shops galore, chi chi market on a Saturday

Farnham just over the border into Surrey? Nice little town

Hillier Gardens/Arboretum https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens between Winchester and Romsey.
You can pre-book mobility scooters if desired.
There is a fair amount that can be done just on the flat if desired.

Ooo yes, I meant to say history as well, but kept deleting my post

Love JA

Alresford is probably what I’d pick though!

Romsey is short on antique shops but v big on charity shops.
I like Petersfield which iirc has nice antiques.
Romsey Abbey is good though.

Deleted duplicate post.

Or you could delve into the New Forest. Lymington would probably be my pick. Nice shopping and a market. Bit hilly though. Lyndhurst is flatter but has less to it.

Hinton Ampner , it’s excellent .

I think these are a bit far away given the 'prefer not to drive too far' requirement.

Mottisfont Abbey National Trust just north of Romsey is lovely.

I came on to say JA house, it's ace (tho probs mostly for JA fans like DD and me).

Also she is buried in Winchester cathedral so that might be worth a look.

I know it's too far, but Petworth would have fitted all of your criteria. Thought I'd mention that in case you're planning other trips.

This and there is also Chawton House and gardens, owned by JAs brother.

Was owned by JAs brother, that should say, not anymore..

Yes, if you do go with Romsey I’d heartily recommend an afternoon at Mottifont OP

Bishops Waltham is also rather lovely.

Thank you, some fab ideas.

I'm thinking Alresford for the morning with lunch, then on the Chawton house for the afternoon.

Maybe Hillier Arboretum the next day. Although she would be very tight lipped at the suggestion of a mobility scooter

Sounds like a good plan.
They do simple but nice food at Hilliers.

Sorry about the mention of mobility scooter, I did see the walk 2-3 miles bit really, but thought I'd mention just in case. There are lots of benches scattered around if needed.

If you’re actually staying in Winchester, have you done the guided tour of the college OP? Or The Hospital Of St Cross is fascinating and also in Winchester
The cathedral is worth the entry fee too!

More history than you can shake a stick at!

Stockbridge is nice for a stroll up and down the high street, and there is a nice path into the water meadows plotted here: https://www.plotaroute.com/mobile/route/1163463

Longstock Park Water Garden is fairly close and a beautiful place for a day out.

Having done both, would recommend Jane Austen’s House over Chawton House if you just wanted to do one.

There is also a nice walk at Micheldever Wood.

If you’re looking for walks in Alresford google the Millennium trail by the way (and take duck food!)

Just a walk round the water meadows in Winchester is lovely

We are not staying in Winchester, and she has visited the cathedral before so not planning that. We are actually staying near Micheldever.

She is nearly 90 and actually fit as a flea. I'm just wary of committing to a longer circular walk in case it becomes too much.

Mottosfont looks lovely.