Portsmouth

The Outdoors

Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Part of the South Downs National Park and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the park has 1,400 acres of chalk hills and shady beeches with 20 mi of scenic trails for hikers, cyclists, and horse riders. You can climb to the top of Butser Hill (888 feet) to take in a panoramic view of the coast. The park lies 15 mi north of Portsmouth, and 4 mi south of the Georgian market town of Petersfield, in a wide valley between wooded hills and open downs. A visitor center has a theater, café, and shop. A3, Portsmouth, PO8 0QE. 023/9259-5040. www3.hants.gov.uk/qecp. Free; parking £1 first hour, £2 thereafter. Park open 24 hrs; visitor center Mar.-Oct., daily 10-5:30; Nov.-late Dec. and mid-late Jan., daily 10-4:30; café open from 9 am.