Hampshire dates without a car
Key facts
| Petersfield to Queen Elizabeth Country Park | No.37 bus, about 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| East Meon back to Petersfield | No.67 bus, about 15 minutes |
| Weekend buses | Limited or none, so check first |
| Dockyard waterbus | Included with a ticket, weather permitting |
Not having a car, or not wanting to drive to a first date, should not hold you back. Trains, buses and harbour boats reach the downs, the forest and the waterfront. Always check the last bus or train home before you set off.
Bus and boots on the South Downs
Catch the no.37 from Petersfield Square to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, walk the South Downs Way over Butser Hill to East Meon, and get the no.67 back. Allow 3 to 4 hours, and check bus times, as there are few or no services at weekends.
Source: South Downs National Park: Queen Elizabeth Country Park to East Meon, checked 8 November 2026
Train to Brockenhurst
Brockenhurst is on a mainline railway in the middle of the New Forest, with ponies in the village and forest walks from the edge of it. Lymington and Lyndhurst are close by if you want to make a day of it.
Source: Visit Hampshire: Brockenhurst in the New Forest National Park, checked 8 November 2026
The Dockyard and the waterbus
A Portsmouth Historic Dockyard ticket includes the waterbus across the harbour to the Gosport sites, such as the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, when the weather allows. Check the timetable before you go.
Source: Visit Hampshire: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
Can I do a South Downs walk by bus?
Yes. The no.37 from Petersfield reaches Queen Elizabeth Country Park in about 10 minutes, but weekend buses are limited, so a weekday walk is easier.
Which New Forest village is easiest by train?
Brockenhurst, which is on a mainline railway and has forest walks right from the village.
How do we get between Portsmouth and Gosport?
If you are visiting the Historic Dockyard, the waterbus to the Gosport sites is included in the ticket when the weather allows.
Read next
Our sister site Smooch has more first date ideas. WhichDating, our sister review site, has a guide to dating in Southampton.