As we celebrate the third official 'Hampshire Day' we've taken a delve into Hampshire's history and fallen more in love with the home of the New Forest than we thought possible. Downton Abbey, Burberry trench coats and champagne - what more could you wish for?!
1) The real Downton Abbey
Every Downton Abbey fan worth their salt knows that the show was filmed at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, but you might not know that the show has deeper links to the county than that. Isis the dog is actually Lord and Lady Carnarvon's (real-life owners of the castle) pet dog, and Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith, was born and raised in Southampton.
2) In the trenches
British luxury fashion house, Burberry, was established in Basingstoke in 1856 by Thomas Burberry.This was after he came across a completely breathable, waterproof fabric called gabardine. His aim was to keep people protected from the unpredictable British weather, and this resulted in the creation of the iconic Burberry trench coat.
3) Better than Champagne
It turns out that Hampshire may actually be better than France at making champagne! A blind-tasting test saw Hambledon Vineyards' non-vintage classic cuvee trump famous French champagnes like Veuve Clicquot, Tattinger and Pol Roger! We'll drink to that...
Ditch the petrol station bouquet in favour of a rose-scented hand-poured soy candle. They last longer, smell better, and they are perfect for setting the scene for a romantic at-home date night.
Han-poured in small batches using 100% natural soy wax, this Red Rose & Patchouli scented candle is the perfect choice for a romantic date night.
The perfect accompaniment to a candle? Matches, of course.
As any candle lover will tell you, the act of lighting a candle after a long day is a ritual in itself. This elegant glass bottle filled with long-length safety matches is a beautiful accessory that will stand proud beside your red rose and patchouli soy candle.
For a Valentine’s gift that will last, opt for one of our floral reed diffusers. The delicate lavender and chamomile fragrance of The Surrey diffuser will gently scent your home for 4-6 months, and the glass bottle itself can be used long beyond thanks to our eco-friendly refills.
A subtle and relaxing floral blend, The Surrey scent boasts notes of fragrant lavender, calming chamomile, and a gentle touch of sweet vanilla.
What better gift to give your sweet pea than The Shropshire 3-wick? Inspired by the lush pink bloom that was engineered in the market town of Wem, our sweet pea scent has sweet, floral top notes and base notes of warm woods and vanilla.
With a burn time of 75 hours, our luxurious triple wick candles make for a beautiful centrepiece on your Valentine’s tablescape. A thoughtful and indulgent way of saying “I love you”.
A thoughtful gift for the one who does it all; treat your loved one to a long soak in a hot bath with our Dead Sea bath salts.
Inspired by the sea salt and wood sage scent of a coastal clifftop walk, The Coast bath salts are rich in essential minerals like magnesium to help soothe tired muscles and anti-inflammatory agents to reduce swelling.A thoughtful gift for the one who does it all; treat your loved one to a long soak in a hot bath with our Dead Sea bath salts.
Inspired by the sea salt and wood sage scent of a coastal clifftop walk, The Coast bath salts are rich in essential minerals like magnesium to help soothe tired muscles and anti-inflammatory agents to reduce swelling.
