Nights Out

South Downs Dark Skies Festival 2026

Joanne Studer Nights Out, The Crest Droxford 1 Comment
Where-to-find-dark-skies-map

Dark Skies Festival

 

There are 21 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, the UK has 4 – the Brecon Beacons, Exmoor, Snowdonia and the South Downs National Parks.

To learn about the important of Dark Skies this interesting article by Graham Bryant FRAS, President of Hampshire Astronomical Group provides some fascinating background;

The Importance of Dark Night Skies

Where-to-find-dark-skies-map

 

The fortnight of activities start at the 13th through to 23rd February

In the past you would have joined The South Downs National Park Authority at the top of Old Winchester Hill for an evening of stargazing, with telescopes and expert astronomers from Hampshire Astronomical Group guiding you round the night sky.

Running Friday 13th to 23rd February, there are two weeks of cosmic online fun with star parties, talks and family activities celebrating our wonderful dark night skies.  This year the SDNP Dark Skies Festival is all about the personal experience of the night skies where you live, learning about the constellations, the history and folk lore that goes with them, and the nocturnal wildlife that depends on them.

  • 2025 begins with the planets Venus and Mercury very close to each other. Low in the west after sunset, on a crisp clear evening it should look beautiful.  Venus will be very bright.
  • Saturn is sinking lower into the west through January. Jupiter is still well placed early evening.  Mars remains bright and red and due south at 9pm-ish.  However, it is getting smaller and dimmer as the Earth races away in its orbit, leaving the red planet in the rear view mirror.
  • Another close encounter comes as Saturn and Venus move within a mere two degrees of each other between 21 and 24 January. Look for them very low in the west from 5.20pm.  But hurry – they will set quickly.
  • The first of the year’s decent meteor showers is the Lyrids, peaking on the night of the 22 and 23 April.  The moon sets just before midnight and then it’s darkness – best for spotting meteors. This is not a prolific shower so don’t expect fireworks. But it’s still worth giving it a try.  Look high in the south east, later is better and use your naked eye.  Dark areas favoured.  You might spot the odd shooting star in the days before and after the peak. 

    Credit: Richard Darn from darkskies.org
  •  

Click through to the SDNP Facebook page for live interactive sessions to be enjoyed by the whole family!

Dark Night Skies leaflet

To view more events : Southdowns Stargazing

 

 

Droxford Village Community : Village bonfire & fireworks

Joanne Studer Nights Out, The Crest Droxford 0 Comment
Droxford Village Community : Village bonfire & fireworks

Fireworks & Bonfire

A repeat of last year’s successful event!  With just a bit more of everything.

  • Hot dogs, sausage in a bun
  • Mulled wine, beer, soft drinks
  • Sparklers, glowsticks

Donations of wood welcome from Saturday 3 November.

Event Location: Droxford Recreation Ground, Opposite Droxford Junior School, Droxford, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 3QR

FREE
Saturday 10th November 2018
5:30pm – 7:00pm

Graze Festival Tywford Hampshire 2022 Update

Joanne Studer Days Out, Nights Out 0 Comment
Graze Food Festival

The Graze food & music Festival takes a years break following it’s 4th year

The folks who send all year planning the Graze food and music festival, all of whom are volunteers, 2019-21  saw a break for the event. They are currently trying to plan 2022 raising funs via crowdfunder, and if successful I’m sure that 2022 will see a bold return and we can’t wait to see what it will include!

There are many wonderful outdoor festivals across the UK and one we are most proud of down south is Graze, the food and music festival.  The event is a not-for-profit organisation and has donated over £20,000 to local charities and community causes.

The festival takes place in Twyford, just outside Winchester, which just happens to be an easy 20 minute drive from The Crest , down some lovely country roads.

The 2019 included

  • From The Jam featuring Jam bassist Bruce Foxton
  • Neville Staple of The Specials
  • This is the Kit
  • Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra
  • The Clives
  • Curse of Lono

2018’s successful Festival included;

  • Stereo MC’s
  • Republica
  • Benjamin Folke Thomas
  • DJ Super Kat

You can watch a round up of the festival right here and get in the mood to start planning your fantastic day out.

Along with the solid music line up, there will also be live cookery demonstrations throughout the day and a dedicated children’s area from noon onwards with various activities put on for them.

Gates open at 11am and close at 11pm.

How to get there

From The Crest, simply pick up Corhampton Lane and once you reach Morestead, take a left down Hazeley Road.  There is a carpark right there on Hazeley Road (£6 per vehicle).

Purchase your tickets in advance online here Tickets.  Prices range from £35 for Adults to free for Children under 12.

Have Fun -don’t forget the Umbrella, Sunscreen, wellies and sun hat!

Jo

Hampshire & IOW Nightjar Walk 9th June

Joanne Studer Nights Out , , 0 Comment
Nightjar

Friday 9th June, 8:15-10:30 pm NightJar Spotting

This event is a  wonderful chance to spot these elusive Nightjar birds on a walk in Forest of Bere.

 
The Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust will leave at 8:15pm from the Roebuck Inn, along the A32 just outside Wickham. 
 
I would suggest to arrive earlier to enjoy a meal or drink in this lovely countryside pub.
 
If you go, do wear warm clothing and boots and bring a torch as it will be dark.
 
 
The Nightjar has a very unusual call, some say it sounds like a child’s electronic toy or perhaps a frog chorus, it certainly is memorable if you do hear one.  So keep your ears peel at dusk and you may be rewarded from late April/mid May through to mid August when they then migrate to Southern Africa.
 

Booking is essential : email janegentry123@gmail.com

All HIWWT events can be seen on the Trust website at https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/ 

#birdspotting #nightjar #pubandbirdspotting

Click here for more information about our wonderful area

The Perfect Girls Weekend Away

Joanne Studer Days Out, Nights Out, The Crest Droxford , , 0 Comment
Girls Weekend Away

The Crest is pretty unusual; we are lucky enough to have a home that lends itself well to groups of friends enjoying a weekend away together, but at the same time having space for you to individually find some peace and quiet. 

We are all set up so that you can make a cup of coffee, grab your book and disappear down to the bottom of the garden, leaving those in the house wondering where you got to! For those who like a 6am rise, a run up Winchester Hill and then shower before the rest of the house is up – that’s there too (just stop off at the local corner shop come post office and bring cake and fresh bread with you)!

With four bedrooms in the main house and one in the annex, plus multiple eating areas inside and out, after a hard days work of catching up there’s space for everyone to grab a little me time.

Large Gas BBQ & Eating area

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s my suggestion for a weekend away from it all;

 

Friday

  1. On you route to us, why not stop of at The Hampshire Bowman for a glass of something cold and get the holiday off to a start before you’ve arrived? The Hampshire Bowman is also Dog friendly and has a mighty fine selection of cask ales and board games.
  2. Arrange for the shopping to the be delivered to the house so that you can forget about all that nonsense – don’t forget the eggs and bacon for the next morning.
  3. Friday evening; Order a take away from the local curry house The White Horse, it’s the real deal – they have their own tandoori oven and a fantastic menu.  Don’t squabble about who gets to go and pick it up and have a pint at the bar!
  4.  

Saturday

  1. After breakfast, plan an afternoon at Hambledon Vineyards.  Here you can choose from a variety of activities from  ‘chocolate and wine tasting’, ‘sparkling afternoon teas’ to ‘making your very own bottle of sparkling wine’, all of which come with a full vineyard tour!
  2. Walk off the afternoon tea and go for a brisk walk up Winchester Hill or along the old Railway line from Droxford to Wickham (and back of course), nip into The Hurdles for a swift drink.
  3. Come back after a full day out and light the Barbie! The Crest has a large gas BBQ with a great eating area and stunning views of the South Downs. You may be lucky and see some hot air balloons which take off just past West Meon (SouthDownsBalloning).

Sunday

    1. Go for Breakfast at Lillys in Wickham.  Have a walk around the quaint little shops, don’t miss out the labyrinth that is Chesapeake Mill which is full to the brim with antiques, jewellery home gifts. Pick up some essentials at the Tardis of a Co-op that’s located there.
    2. Relaxing SpaBook some beauty treatments at Barn Beauty just outside of Wickham (On the road back to The Crest) – Mention The Crest and receive 10% off any beauty treatment – relax. Be sure to book ahead as this place is a well known secret and gets extremely booked up.
    3. Go for a wander about Bishops Waltham Abbey, and then nip in for a well deserved coffee and cake at either Josies Coffee shop or the historic and quaint Anvil Coffee ShopJosies Coffee
    4. Head back to The Crest for a couple of houses rest and relaxation, before heading down into the village for meal at The Bakers Arms or The Hurdles for a Sunday Roast- don’t forget the torches for the walk home.
  1. Monday
  1. Morning – plan your next get together (possibly the hot air ballooning next time?) before all heading your separate ways back home. Always ask for a later check out, you never know what perks you get when you book directly with me!

Relaxing

To book your next Weekend Away Click Here and please do not hesitate for any help planning!

#weekendaway, #girlsweekend, #perfectweekend

Music Music Music

Joanne Studer Nights Out , , 0 Comment
Music

It’s not all beautiful rolling countryside! If you’re a fan of music then you will be spoilt for choice in our surrounding area, here are a few ideas to plan into your break away;

MUSIC VENUES IN SOUTHAMPTON

Exрlоrіng Sоuthаmрtоn ѕurрrіѕіnglу, уоu mау bе раrdоnеd fоr ѕресulаtіng thе mоѕt intriguing thіng thе сіtу brіngѕ tо thе tаblе is a gіаnt Ikea. Be that аѕ it may, there lіеѕ a muѕіс ѕсеnе ѕо brіllіаnt аnd accessible, that really deserves a closer look . Hеrе аrе ѕоmе соuрlе оf оur tор сhоісеѕ:

The Talking Heads

Thе Tаlkіng Hеаdѕ (ѕіtuаtеd аt 320 Portswood Rоаd, Pоrtѕwооd, SO17 2TD) іѕ the аbѕоlutе epitome оf Southampton’s undеrgrоund muѕіс ѕсеnе! Thе 300 сарасіtу vеnuе іѕ regularly fіllеd by ѕwеаty muѕіс еnthuѕіаѕtѕ getting down to thе bеѕt nearby аnd nаtіоnаl bands аrоund. Anу semblance оf Skіndrеd, Thе Dukе Sріrіt, Yоur Dеmіѕе аnd Sеаn Tауlоr are оnlу a соuрlе оf thе bаndѕ thаt have ѕhаkеn audience. Wіth regular еvеnіngѕ tо grаndѕtаnd thе bеѕt bаndѕ from Sоuthаmрtоn Unіvеrѕіtу — іt іѕ wеll wоrth gеttіng уоurѕеlf dоwn thеrе! It іѕ аddіtіоnаllу thе іdеаl place tо bеgіn your gіggіng рrоfеѕѕіоn іn thе еvеnt thаt you аrе a lосаl bаnd іn Sоuthаmрtоn; еxtrаоrdіnаrу muѕіс venue.

The Brook

Nоt far off frоm the Talking Heads you’ll find Thе Brооk – a ѕhосkіnglу lаrgе setting with іtѕ оwn fіrѕt-flооr balcony. It’ѕ аn appealing scene going fоr a mаrgіnаllу more ѕеаѕоnеd сrоwd – аnd when уоu tаkе a gander at thе listings, it’s certainly appealing. Yоu’ll оrdіnаrіlу fіnd thе stage occupied by tribute acts, but аt the same tіmе thеrе’ѕ a соnѕtаnt flоw оf ’70s аnd ’80ѕ artists, fоr еxаmрlе, The Bеаt, Blосkhеаdѕ, Jоhnnу Mаrr, Mіdgе Ure, Blаnсmаngе, Hеаvеn 17, аnd Peter Hооk.

Addrеѕѕ: 466 Pоrtѕwооd Rоаd, Pоrtѕwооd, Southampton SO17 3SD (02380 555 366).

Click here for current events in Southampton

MUSIC VENUES IN WINCHESTER

This city is lower key than Southampton, but easier to weave in a little music at the end of a days sight seeing!

O’Nеіll’ѕ

Mоѕt bars hаvе аn ореn mic nіght аnd ѕuсh іѕ thе case for O’Nеіll’ѕ tоо. On thе рluѕ ѕіdе tо the music frоm nеіghbоurhооd bands, уоu саn lіkеwіѕе partake іn ѕоmе moderately Irіѕh-thеmеd food.

Guildhall

A standout amongst the mоѕt historic structures Wіnсhеѕtеr brіngѕ tо the tаblе. It іѕ rеgulаrlу utіlіzеd fоr those essentially bigger vеnuеѕ required fоr grеаtеr gіgѕ.

The Railway Inn

A wonderfully friendly and truly down to earth venue, Thе Rаіlwау is hоѕt to a huge аmоunt оf splendid artists оf thе mоrе аltеrnаtіvе slant. Many bands who have since hit the headlines have spent time in a former life on the stage at The Railway.  The Railway also hosts comedy nights in it’s upstairs attic room.

Address: 3 St Pauls Hill, Winchester (around the back of the Train Station) Click here to find our what’s on

MUSIC VENUES IN PОRTЅMОUTH

Portsmouth Guildhall

This is the largest music venue in the heart of Portsmouth.  It will show most of the major touring bands along with some terrific comedy acts.  Book ahead should you want to incorporate into your holiday at The Crest.

The Wеdgеwооd Rооmѕ

A safe hоuѕе for frее уеt еѕtаblіѕhеd bands, thе Wеdgеwооd Rooms offers extensive space fоr gіgѕ, еlесtіvе nіghtѕ аnd to hаng оut with уоur drink with уоur music buddies.

It host bands from nеіghbоurhооd areas thаt have a demonstrated rесоrdѕ оf fаmе, аnd in addition іntеrnаtіоnаl аrtіѕtѕ, similar tо Thе Summеr Sеt, Pаlоmа Fаіth, аnd Muse.

Each year The Wedgewood rooms support lосаl talent іѕ by means оf a yearly Shоwсаѕе. A ѕtаndоut amongst thе mоѕt popular аnd еxlесtіс nеіghbоrhооd асtѕ іѕ Joe Black who has performed there consistently fоr mоrе than 10 уеаrѕ.

Seen аѕ Pоrtѕmоuth’ѕ response tо CBGBs, thе Wedgewood Rооmѕ fіllеd in аѕ a ѕtоrаgе rооm аmіd WW2 bеfоrе turning into a Ballroom, a Jazz Cub and a Community Function Rооm whеrе Arnоld Schwarzenegger соntеndеd in a Bоdу Buіldіng соmреtіtіоn іn 1968.

Gеnrеѕ: Alternative, Rосk, Mеtаl, Elесtrоnіса, Pор, Cаbаrеt

Bеѕt For: Pеорlе whо gеt a kісk оut оf thе сhаnсе tо dаnсе like nо оnе’ѕ viewing.

Tісkеtѕ: £5-£20

The Fat Fоx

This соmfоrtаblе lіttlе pub covers аll rаngеѕ of Pоrtѕmоuth nіghtlіfе frоm live-sports; ѕсrumрtіоuѕ уеt есоnоmісаl fеаѕts; to hоѕtіng lіvе muѕіс for up and coming bands (Bastille, Scouting for Girls, Drenge, Sleaford Mods, George Ezra have played here)

Genres: Folk, Rock, Alternative, Metal

Bеѕt Fоr: Seeing dеvеlоріng nearby асtѕ thаt dоеѕn’t have an еnоrmоuѕ fаn-bаѕе yet.

Tісkеtѕ: £3-15

There are also plenty of festivals going on ‘down south’ over the summer!

Wickham Festival

Wickham Music Festival The first weekend in August in the village down the road! This event grows each year and guess what, you could walk to it from The Crest!

Lets Rock Southampton The first Saturday in July on Southampton Common

Southsea Victorious Festival 25th – 27th August 2023

With acts including:

Rudimental , Two Door Cinema Club Doves The Zutons Dodgy Bloc Party
Ziggy Marley OceanColour Scene Fun Lovin’ Criminals Badly Drawn Boy, Professor Green, Lewis Capaldi Starsailor, The Futureheads, Republica (Official) and Loads more!

Day tickets only £60 Adults and £8 for kids plus booking fee- Victorious Tickets

#music #greatnightout #livemusic

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