| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Co-ordinator: | |
| When: | Monthly on Thursday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm 1st Thurs (except April, July, Dec for day trips) (No meeting Aug and Jan) |
| Venue: | Gosport Museum and Art Gallery |
| Cost: | The cost of the day trips if attended |
This group is for members to get together and suggest on where to go and what to do. The idea is that we meet monthly, have two study meetings to discuss potential trips, discover all about the place of the visit and plan what to do during the visit. The aim is to organise three trips a year.
Next trip
Our next trip is on Thursday July 2nd.
Join us for a glorious summer outing on the Watercress Line — steam‑railway charm, Hampshire scenery, and time to explore the lovely towns of Alresford and Alton.
Pick‑Up Points: Brockhurst 9:00 • Castle Tavern 9:10 • Waitrose 9:20 • Memorial Hospital 9:30
We travel by coach to Alresford, where you can catch the 11am train or enjoy a wander before boarding a later service. Don’t miss the original signal box and the nostalgic 1950s W.H. Smith kiosk. You will be issued with a train timetable on the day.
Ride straight through to Alton for lunch, shops, cafés, and a gentle meander — or even a country walk if you’re feeling guilty for that pudding at lunchtime.
On the return, you may like to hop off at Ropley, home of the Harry Potter footbridge and the engineering sheds. Just keep an eye on the timetable — the last train leaves Alton at 4pm.
Our coach departs Alresford at 4:45pm.
Cost: £47
If you wish to come email Judith at treasurer@u3agosport.org.uk with your pick‑up point. Please pay as soon as possible.
Payment may be by cash, cheque, or bank transfer — reference Watercress).
Cheques made payable to U3A Gosport
Bank transfers: Gosport University of the Third Age U3A, Sort code: 08-92-99 Account number: 67480139
Following trip is on Friday 28th August 2026
Visit to the Flowerpots Beer Festival with two optional walks led by Liz & Ian Backhouse
Cost & booking
Cost: £20 includes coach travel and gratuity for driver.
Places: — early payment is strongly recommended to secure your seat.
To register your interest and confirm your preferred pick‑up point, please contact: Fiona on the link above.
Payment details: GOSPORT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE U3A
Sort code: 08‑92‑99 Account number: 67480139 Please reference: Flowerpot
Or you can pay by cheque or cash at the Thorngate meeting on July 1st
Pick‑Up Points
Please arrive at least five minutes before your allocated time.
Brockhurst Fort bus stop (same side as fort) – 10:15am
Ferry (Castle Tavern lay‑by) – 10:25am
Waitrose, Stoke Road – 10:35am
War Memorial Hospital bus stop (opposite hospital) – 10:45am
The coach will drop us at Cheriton Recreation Ground, right beside the festival site.
Flower Pots Beer Festival
Enjoy:
* 18 Flower Pots home‑brewed beers
* 54 cask ales from around the UK
* Fresh food prepared by the pub’s chefs
* A relaxed, friendly atmosphere in the Hampshire countryside
* Late‑afternoon live music (we may miss this depending on start time)
* Soft drinks and non‑alcoholic options will also be available
How the festival works: Drinks are purchased using a token system. On arrival you buy a festival beer glass (or bring your own) and a set of tokens; each drink is “paid for” with the appropriate number of tokens. 2026 glass and token prices will be confirmed nearer the time.
Two Optional Walks:
1. Cheriton Village History Walk (45–60 mins)
A gentle, fascinating wander around the village, taking in:
- the Church
- the pub
- thatched cottages
- the old school
- the saw mill
- stories of the Battle of Cheriton
You can leave at any point and return to the festival if you prefer.
2. Cheriton to Hinton Ampner Circular Walk (2.5 miles • 1hr 30–2hrs)
A beautiful countryside route along:
- footpaths
- gravel tracks
- grassy stretches with a few easy “ups”
Includes a quick coffee and loo stop at Hinton Ampner before looping back to Cheriton.
Please wear appropriate footwear if you plan to join either walk.
Choose Your Perfect Day
Join either walk; or
simply stay at the brewery to enjoy the beer, food and atmosphere.
It’s your day — make it exactly what you want.
The coach will depart at 16:00 or 16:30. The exact time will be confirmed on the day.
Previous visits
- National Army Museum visit and guided tour of the Royal Hospital Chelsea with a Chelsea Pensioner - April 2026
- Salisbury Cathedral tour and exploration - December 2025