Including things to do in Hampshire with kids
If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire for the kids then have a look at our full country parks list below. Going to a country park is a great way to get the whole family out of the house and enjoy the local wildlife. Many of the local country parks do fun school holiday events as well so look out for them.
Most of the country parks on our list are perfect for everyone, including those with mobility issues or those with prams. Grab the bikes or scooters, make a picnic and enjoy as many of these country parks as you can.
If you’re looking for another day out ideas for the whole family then have a look at:
The Ultimate List of Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly – Looking for a walk with the buggy or a muddy walk? These are the best walks and trails in Hampshire.
A Huge Guide to the Best Beaches in Hampshire – Who doesn’t love a beach day? It could be the summer holidays or a weekend away, these Hampshire beaches are great to visit for the whole family.
The Best Castles in Hampshire – From family holidays to day-out ideas, these castles in Hampshire are a great place to visit throughout the year.
Things to do in Hampshire Guide
Wondering what to do today? Then our guide for ALL things Hampshire is for you!
If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire with kids then this guide is for you. We have over 200+ ideas that you can use to keep your whole family amused while exploring everything Hampshire has to offer!
Have a look at our Things to do in Hampshire Guide here
This is an up to date spreadsheet, in activity order, that you can use when you have no clue what to do. We’ve included everything from country parks, to splash pools, lakes, castles, days out, playgrounds and walks. You get lifetime access to this spreadsheet, so any updates we do, you get them, all included in the price!
Country Parks in North Hampshire
North Hampshire is full of country parks that offer a rich heritage and fun for everyone. Make sure you explore the play areas while enjoying the history of these wonderful parks.
If you are looking for more things to do in North Hampshire then have a look at:
The Biggest List of Things to do in Basingstoke With Kids
The Best Things to do in Andover with Kids
17 Things to do in Alton
The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Winchester
Things to do in Whitchurch Hampshire
St Catherine’s Hill
With it’s vast landscape and stunning views, St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester is a great day out for the whole family. You don’t have to walk to the top of the hill either to get the best views of Winchester.
This stunning land is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the general public who want to enjoy everything this beautiful chalk downland has to offer.
Parking is completely free on Garnier Road just before the bridge over the river. The postcode for the car park is SO23 9PA. If the car park is full then keep driving over the bridge and there is a few places on the side of the road.
This 47 hectares nature reserve offers the whole family stunning views, historic interest, and grazing animals. Walking on the trail you could see anything from butterflies in wildflowers to cattle and sheep throughout the whole year.
Read more about St Catherine’s Hill here.
You can find St. Catherine’s Hill at Winchester SO23 9PA.
Brickfields Country Park
This small 8 acres country park is pretty unknown unless you know where to look. Just off Boxalls Lane, this pretty area has pathways throughout the country park that are perfect for visitors with limited mobility and prams. Bring the kids bikes for a ride, have a picnic in the fields, and enjoy this little known park.
You can find Brickfields Country Park at Boxalls Lane, Aldershot GU11 3QJ.
Farley Mount Country Park
With loads of places to park, little in-lays really, this country park is great if you love to explore. There are plenty of places for a picnic and a bike ride, plus the views from the actual mount are stunning.
You can find Farley Mount Country Park at Sparsholt, Winchester SO21 2JG.
Wellington Country Park
Wellington Country Park is a 350 acres site that you can enjoy. Part of it is chargeable but it does have a huge dinosaur trail, crazy golf, two playgrounds and a farm. There is also a huge cafe that is perfect if you need lunch or snacks.
You can find Wellington Country Park at Odiham Rd, Riseley, Reading RG7 1SP.
Yateley Common Country Park
Mostly flat, Yateley Common Country Park is the perfect place to fish with the kids or bird watch while enjoying a family picnic.
Bring the bikes as the ground is mostly flat. They have free parking within an easy walk of the park.
You can find Yateley Common Country Park at Yateley GU46 6BE.
Bassetts Mead Country Park
Bassetts Mead Country Park offers free parking and is a great circular walk. It takes you along the riverfront which is great for spotting fish and other water creatures.
Explore the fields and long grass for the local wildlife too.
You can find Bassetts Mead Country Park at London Rd, Hook RG27 9EH.
Old Down Woodland Park
This is a huge green space that can see found on foot from Firecrest Road. It has a small car park next to the community building with a small playground.
Walk one of the smaller paths to enjoy the local wildlife. Bring the buggy or bikes as the route is mostly flat.
You can find Old Down Woodland Park at 49 Firecrest Road, Basingstoke RG22 5UL.
Alice Holt Country Park
Alice Holt Country Park is right on the edge of Hampshire. It’s full of fun-packed family trails that can keep the whole family amused for the whole day.
Based near Farnham, Alice Holt forest and country park is about 53 minutes from central Southampton. It’s easy to find and well sign-posted.
Alice Holt is perfect for dogs too. Dogs do need to be on leads in the central area but in the forest, they are free to roam.
There’s loads of off-road treks you can take. These aren’t all assessable but are great for climbing over fallen trees and spotting wildlife.
They have loads of places you can have a picnic throughout the country park or even enjoy their own cafe which serves a range of hot food and sweet treats.
When going on a picnic, if you choose evening and also want to enhance the atmosphere of your family reunion, consider adding some lights. Custom neon signs allow you to design your own patterns and colours. It can be your family’s hashtag or the kids’ favourite pattern. Picnics next to a gorgeous neon sign should be a romantic memory.
Read more about Alice Holt Country Park here.
You can find Alice Holt Country Park at Farnham GU10 4LS.
Country Parks in South Hampshire
If you are looking for a seafront day out then a trip to one of the South Hampshire country parks should be on your list. Dip your feet in the water or enjoy a walk throughout the forests that surround these country parks.
If you are looking for more to do in South Hampshire then have a look at:
The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Southampton With Kids
11 Fun Things to do in Eastleigh for the Whole Family
Things to do in Romsey with Kids
River Hamble Country Park
Just off of the M27 junction 8, River Hamble Country Park is a great place to visit for the whole family.
Run by Hampshire County Council, River Hamble Country Park is set in acres of land that you are free to explore and enjoy.
There is so much to do at River Hamble Country Park. This includes:
The playground – Right by the Barnfield car park, The Grace Dieu shipwreck playground is a great place for the kids to play. It has two ships, one for younger children and one for older kids. It has slides, climbing equipment, and holes to hide in.
Walks and trails – With over 400 acres of woodland, River Hamble Country Park has loads of different trails and forests you can walk through and enjoy. If you are looking to get closer to the river, then follow the trail near the playground. It will take you directly to the river.
Read more about River Hamble Country Park here.
You can find River Hamble Country Park at Pyland’s Lane, Southampton SO31 1BH.
Southampton Common
This lovely common just outside of the main city is a green getaway. Parking can be found throughout the outer rim of the country park. It’s perfect for bikes, prams and those with limited mobility as the paths are all paved. The country park has a cafe and toilets near the playground plus a huge amount of space for the whole family to explore.
Read more about Southampton Common here
You can find Southampton Common at The Avenue, Southampton SO15 7NN.
Royal Victoria Country Park
Royal Victoria Country Park is steeped in local heritage with its old military hospital, open fields, woodland, beach, and an amazing playground.
One of the best things about Royal Victoria Country Park is that it’s completely flat which makes it great for pushchairs and bikes. The fields are vast which are great for family-filled games like football or rounders. You can follow the woodland trails past the cafe and play area through the forest and really enjoy the local wildlife.
Royal Victoria Country Park’s play area can be found near the cafe and offers all kinds of fun for all ages. It has a range of fully accessible play equipment and a huge climbing frame, slide, zip wire, and swings.
Read more about Royal Victoria Country Park here.
You can find Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley Abbey, Southampton, SO31 5GA.
Lepe Country Park
This country park has a huge car park right by the seafront. It is a stony beach at the start but if you keep walking then it starts to become sand. If you catch the tide right then you can walk out a long way into the sea. They have a great cafe as well as toilets on site.
Read more about Lepe Country Park here
You can find Lepe Country Park at Exbury, Southampton SO45 1AD.
Itchen Valley Country Park
Itchen Valley Country Park is a great place to visit for the whole family. It has huge playgrounds for all ages, trails, and fields.
Set in 440 acres of amazing water meadows, woodland, and fields, Itchen Valley Country Park is right by the River Itchen.
Itchen Valley Country Park has loads of play areas and trails that are perfect for the whole family.
They have two playgrounds. The first is by The Woodland Cafe which is great for younger children, normally under 8s. They have loads of picnic benches around the playground.
The second playground is the opposite end and is great for older kids. Right next to High Hill Field, the playground has everything you need from swings to slides to climbing ropes.
Read more about Itchen Valley Country Park here.
You can find Itchen Valley Country Park at Allington Lane, Southampton SO30 3HQ.
Manor Farm Country Park
Sat in River Hamble Country Park, Manor Farm is a great place to visit for the whole family. You will find family-friendly farm animals, soft play, and playgrounds that are great for younger kids.
Manor Farm is in Hedge End, near Southampton which is to the south of Hampshire.
The farm is fully assessable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. There is a slight hill after you enter through so please watch out for that.
Close to Hedge End and Botley, and just 7 miles away from the middle of Southampton, Manor Farm is a great place to enjoy a full family day out.
Read more about Manor Farm Country Park here.
You can find Manor Farm at Pyland’s Lane, Southampton SO31 1BH.
Lakeside Country Park
Based off of a busy main road, this amazing country park is packed full of things to do. Make sure you ride on the little train while enjoying the whole fishing lake. Take a picnic to enjoy the park while seeing how much wildlife you can spot through the woodland. There’s loads of parking on-site with a cafe, shop and toilets.
Read more about Lakeside Country Park here.
You can find Lakeside Country Park at Wide Lane, Eastleigh SO50 5PD.
Country Parks in East Hampshire
Regardless of what you are looking for, from wildlife to paths un-walked, make sure you visit these country parks that offer the whole family a day out they will never forget.
If you are looking for more to do in East Hampshire then have a look at:
21 Portsmouth Attractions for the Whole Family
The Best 31 Things to do in Fareham
What to do at Southsea Sea Front
The Full Guide to Things to do in Portsmouth
Things To Do In Petersfield With Kids
Alver Valley Country Park
Full of lovely wild flowers and sweeping trees, this country park has a great playground. Take a walk and see how much of the local wildlife you can see. It is a bit stony but great for walks with the whole family.
You can find Alver Valley Country Park at Cherque Way, Lee-on-the-Solent PO13 8BH.
Staunton Country Park
Staunton Country Park has loads to offer the family of different ages. They have a working farm, beautiful gardens and glasshouses that are a real sight to see. Parking is close but there is a short walk to the entrance.
You can find Staunton Country Park at Middle Park Way, Havant PO9 5HB.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
This country park lies within the South Downs National Park. It offers loads of family fun into loads of walks, cycle paths and playgrounds. Car parking charges do apply but it’s a great day out for the whole family.
You can find Queen Elizabeth Country Park at Gravel Hill, Horndean PO8 0QE.
Titchfield Haven Country Park
This is a huge country park that is a home for birds and other wildlife. See what you can spot on the many trails throughout the high grass. Check out their website for ideas on walks as is a great one near the canal and other over-looking the sea.
You can find Titchfield Haven at Cliff Road, Fareham PO14 3JT.
Related Posts:
- The Best Zoos and Wildlife Parks in Hampshire
- The Best Gardens in Hampshire for the Whole Family
- The Best Places to go Glamping in Hampshire
Country Parks in West Hampshire
Surrounded by the New Forest, spot off in one of the little car parks to explore these amazing country park without the crowds. You may be lucky enough to see the wild donkeys roaming the flat land or the cows walking through the dense bushes. Whatever time of year you visit, we are sure you and your family will have an amazing time.
If you are looking for more things to do in West Hampshire then have a look at:
Things to do in Lymington With Kids
19 Things to do in Brockenhurst in Hampshire
The Best List of Things to do in Ringwood Hampshire
Things To Do In Fordingbridge With Kids
The Best Things to do in Barton on Sea
Things to do at Calshot Beach in Hampshire
New Forest National Park
A lot of the landscape is flat and is great for long cycle rides and walks with the whole family. Many of the walks are signposted too.
Pick a spot and see how many ponies you can spot or donkey’s that roam free.
Our favorite places to stop are The Cricket Ground which is a huge area that can get busy in the summer but is great for kids to ride their bikes as the grass is kept low.
Boulderwood is another great place with parking and toilets. If you are really lucky then you may spot some deer wandering in the woods.
The best places in the New Forest though are those that you find off the beaten road. Take a drive and find your own little bit of treasure.
Read more about what to do in the New Forest here.
Moors Valley Country Park
Moors Valley Country Park has everything you need for a fun day out with the whole family. They have acres of land which has multiple playgrounds, trails and picnic areas.
Read more about Moors Valley Country Park here
Find Moors Valley Country Park at Horton Rd, Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2ET.
Avon Heath Country Park
With a great playarea and fields as far as you can see, Avon Heath is a great place to visit for the whole family.
You can find Avon Heath Country Park at Brocks Pine, St. Leonard’s, St Ives, Ringwood BH24 2DH.
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.
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