hey all.... we are planning a UK cruise, departing from Southampton, but want to take a 3 or 4 day self drive from Heathrow to the port.... leisurely, visit Winchester, Hastings, Brighton etc., mainly areas southern from London... any ideas for itinerary, stops, "must see" ?

how about Stonehenge, Salisbury, The New Forest?

or Arundel, Chichester [and surroundings] Winchester?

IMO Hastings takes you too far east and there is plenty to see to the south and west of LHR - Petworth, Chichester basin, Portsmouth - more than enough to fill 3-4 days.

It may depend on the places you've already seen, if any. You might consider a circle (triangle?) first to Bath, then Salisbury/Stonehenge to Southampton, taking in sights like the New Forest, as Annhig says, a lovely area along the way. Winchester is very near Southampton and is where I stayed a couple of nights prior to boarding a ship. No need really to stay the night in Southampton.

Dorchester is also close, if you're a Hardy fan especially, 2 of his homes to visit and a nice town to stay.

Much depends on if/where you have visited before.

If you haven't seen Bath then I'd try to squeeze it in. Otherwise I'd probably do Salisbury/Stonehenge, Winchester and the New Forest

From Winchester you can visit Jane Austen's home, and in the New Forest -- Beaulieu and Buckler's Hard or even a day trip to the Isle of Wight.

http://www.treasurehouses.co.uk/houses/Beaulieu

http://www.bucklershard.co.uk

other than London (2X) and a train from London to Southampton, we've not seen any more of the UK.... so, all of these suggestions are exactly what I was looking for....other than visiting friends in Weybridge (and Brooklands museum), we are completely open to suggestions ! thanks much !

Oh -- if your friends are in Weybridge and you are visiting Brooklands, the I'd forget about Bath and 100% definitely plan a day at RHS Wisley then maybe Winchester.

And since you are apparently 'car people' - then the museum at Beaulieu would be another must

https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk..._in_summer.jpg

https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/attractio...-motor-museum/

Are you staying in Weybridge or looking for another base?
Pretty much everything you've mentioned is within 90 minutes of a central point so once you've decided, there is not really much point in moving around.

I'd second Beaulieu (Pronounced approximately Bjoolee) - otherwise depends verry much on your interests:
Cathedrals? Chichester, Winchester and Salisbury
Ancient History? Stonehenge but also Avebury or the White horse at Uffington, Roman mosaics near Chichester
Castles? Arundal, Portchester, Corfe
Military history? Portsmouth historic dockyard
Literature? Dicken's Birthplace or the whole Jane Bloody Austin thing (as CW would have it)

Yes not "Bo lieu" You also get a chance to see Bucklers Hard which is a fun day half day.

I'd also vote for Portsmouth military docks (the bits you can get to) and the front between Portsmouth and Southport is pleasant enough with a Henry 8th fort hidden away and a street of good restaurants that is due north of the fort (across the large bit of grass)

"Portsmouth and Southport"

Did you mean Sally Port Bilbo?

Hoo, i must have lost it, "Southsea"

"Hoo, i must have lost it, "Southsea""
Ah, good old "Sarfsea", it was the "port" reference that confused, thought you meant Sallyport/Old Portsmouth area.