Think of Hampshire and images of petticoated heroines, stiff-backed gentlemen and rolling rural landscapes of novelist Jane Austin (1775–1817) may spring to idea. But while still joyful with those winding set forth downs again fertile agricultural valleys, this is a remarkably varied county. Winchester, once capital of the powerful Kingdom of Wessex that extended into Wiltshire and Dorset, delights with its fascinating cathedral and splendid setting. The coastline overmuch is adorable ascendanc…