February in Hampshire feels like a whisper of hope, a signal that the long winter days are drawing to a close. In the New Forest, signs of spring peek from the leaf litter. There’s tight buds on holly, moss glowing greener, and tiny snowdrops carpeting the woodland floor in delicate white constellations.

Winchester’s ancient streets feel particularly romantic this month. Wander through Cathedral Close to Kingsgate to see where Jane Austen lived and for a browse of P&G Wells bookshop. The River Itchen runs crystal clear and early morning misty whisps rise up to meet the sky. A walk up St. Catherine’s Hill rewards you with sweeping views and a refreshing wind that clears winter’s cobwebs.

In Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, cosy pubs with crackling fires beckon travellers for hot chocolate or a pint of something local. Outside, ponies wander freely, their thick winter coats ruffled by the breeze.

Along the South Downs, chalk paths glow under pale sunlight. Hares dart through farmland like embers come to life. And in the villages, from Alresford to Selborne, the scent of woodsmoke lingers in the dusk air as bonfires smoulder and fireplaces keep homes warm and welcoming.

This is the perfect month for mindful exploring, a wander through Exbury Gardens before the full rush of spring arrives, or a visit to a Hampshire market town where florists begin offering bunches of early tulips and daffodils.

February may be short, but it feels full of promise, as if the county itself is stretching awake, preparing to bloom.

Big love, Bex