Including quirky things to do in Winchester
If you are looking for things to do in Winchester then this post is for you. It’s full of top attractions that are great for the whole family.
There is so much to do for families in Winchester! The city is steeped in history with wide open spaces and loads of things to do.
Winchester, based in the middle of Hampshire is a city like no other. It may be landlocked, but it has loads to do for the whole family throughout the year.
Have a look at our full list of things to do in Winchester with kids here.
If you are looking for more things to do throughout Hampshire then have a look at:
51 Free Days Out in Hampshire For Families – These are the best free days out for families in Hampshire. We’ve included everything from castles to museums to day out ideas.
33 Half Term Activities in Hampshire That Are Free – Looking for something to do in half term? Then use our list here for amazing free ideas that will get you exploring the county.
The Definitive Guide To Days Out in Hampshire – This is our HUGE list of day out ideas that covers everything to do in Hampshire with kids of all ages.
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!
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.
View our guide here and see how it can help you find things to do in Hampshire.
Castles in Winchester
Winchester has loads to offer the whole family. Make sure you visit one of the many castles that it is home to. If you are looking for more castles in Hampshire then check out our post here.
Wolvesey Castle
You wouldn’t believe that Wolvesey Castle was right in the middle of this beautiful city. Wolvesey Castle dates back to the 12th century and while it may be in pieces now, you can still feel the history of the grounds. This is great paired with all the other free attractions that Winchester has to offer.
Wolvesey Castle can be found at College Street, Winchester, Hampshire, S023 9NB.
The Great Hall at Winchester Castle
The castle can be found right in the middle of the city. It’s a beautiful place with the Great Hall, which just takes your breath away. It’s free to enter and doesn’t take long to walk around but is great paired with Queen Eleanor’s Gardens (just outside) and the cathedral.
The Great Hall, Castle Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UJ
Flowerdown Barrows
Close to Wolvesey Castle, Flowerdown Barrows are three Bronze Age burial mounds that are over 4000 years old. The disks are the largest in Hampshire!
You can find Flowerdown Barrows at Kennel Lane, Littleton, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 6PS.
Country Parks and Walks in Winchester
These are the best country parks and trails in Winchester. They include places to walk and explore. If you are looking for more walks in Hampshire then have a look at our huge post here.
River Itchen
Running right through Hampshire, River Itchen offers many places for a great hike regardless of the weather. Within the South Downs National Park, there are loads of walks you can take to truly enjoy the landscape that Winchester has to offer.
You could pick up the trail at Itchen Abbas, St Catherine’s Hill or the Itchen Circular.
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.
Read more about St Catherine’s Hill here.
Twyford Down
Next to St Catherine’s Hill, Twyford Down used to house a fort and chapel back in Roman times and was a well-known route for travellers in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Farley Mount Country Park
Just outside of the city, Farley Mount is a beautiful downland that is great for hiking, playing and cycling. The views at the top of the mount are like no other. You can pretty much see the whole of Hampshire from here! Bring a picnic in the summer months for a full day out.
Farley Mount can be found at SO21 2JG.
Winnall Moors Nature Reserve
This 64 hectares of grassland is home to roaming cattle and horses. The whole walk is almost 5 miles long and overlooks the water meadows and Fulling Mill.
You can find Winnall Moors Nature Reserve at Durngate Place, Winchester, SO23 8DX.
Abbey Gardens
These lovely gardens sat right in the middle of the city are a great place for a picnic or a walk with the kids. Walk along the river, sit on the benches and enjoy the flat paths that are great for bikes and scooters. There is a small kids playground here as well.
Keat’s Walk
This walk is about two-miles long and takes you through St Cross. Some of the paths are uneven though but there are a few great places to stop for lunch as well.
The Winchester Treasure Trail
This trail takes you through the whole of Winchester on a kid-friendly trail that can be brought beforehand. This is a self-guided tour that is fun for the whole family.
South Downs National Par
Starting at Winchester, the South Downs runs all the way to Eastbourne. It’s full of chalk hills and unbelievable views. You are free to walk around the hills as you wish but we found this website very useful in helping us to map out our walks.
Queen Eleanor’s Gardens
Sat just outside The Great Hall, Queen Eleanor’s Gardens is a medieval herbarium that was named after Queen Eleanor of Provence. It’s a lovely garden for the kids to look around in the summer months and for adults to relax in.
Museums in Winchester
Blessed with loads of history, Winchester has loads to offer the whole family. All of these museums are free to enter and are great on a rainy day. If you are looking for more museums in Hampshire then have a look at our post here.
Adjutant General’s Corps Museum
Open Tuesday to Saturday, the Adjutant General’s Corps Museum is free to enter and great for older kids who want to learn about their local history.
Winchester City Mill
National Trust Winchester City Mill is sat right in the middle of the city. You get to see how bread was made, how the mill works and the future of the mill. This museum is free if you are a National Trust member.
National Trust Winchester City Mill can be found on Bridge Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9BH.
The Royal Green Jackets Museum
This family museum is great for a rainy day out. It takes around two hours to get around is free to visit. Explore the past up close and personal but really getting a feel of what the Royal Green Jackets are all about.
The Gurkha Museum
Located in Peninsula Barracks, The Gurkha Museum walks you through Gurkha history with interactive stories and films.
Westgate Museum
Right at the top of the high street, Westgate Museum can be found inside the fortified medieval city gateway. This museum is great for older kids who are studying Tudor and Stuart history.
Peninsula Barracks
Overlooking Winchester Cathedral, Peninsula Barracks is part of Winchester’s military quarter which has a range of free and paid-for museums that go in-depth into what life was like in the military.
Winchester City Museum
Starting from the Ice Age right up to the Anglo‑Saxon, Winchester City Museum is a great and fun day out for the kids. It’s interactive and really does in to detail about what it was like living in these times. They can have fun becoming an amateur archaeologist or trying on a Roman Guards uniform.
You can find Winchester City Museum at The Square, Winchester, SO23 9ES.
Join our Free Resource Vault
We’ve packed our free Resource Vault with loads of things to do ideas and printables that you can use over and over again.
We’ll also send you ideas on what to do and where to go with the whole family!
Join our free Resource Vault here.
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Related Posts:
- The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Southampton With Kids
- 9 Fun Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly
- 33 Half Term Activities in Hampshire That Are Free
Skate parks in Winchester
These are loads of great skate parks in Winchester. They are great way for the kids to enjoy being outside. If you are looking for more stake parks in Hampshire then have a look at our post here.
Winchester Skatepark
Winchester Skatepark is sat right next to River Park Leisure Centre. The skatepark has a bowl and plaza section. The skatepark is right next to the playground and a straight path, which is great for scooters and bikes. Winchester Skatepark is on Gordon Road, postcode SO23 7DD. It’s great when paired with one of the local parks which you can find below.
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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