Including school holidays activities
If you are looking for half-term activities then this is the post for you. We have included loads of family day out ideas that mean you will never get bored.
There is so much to discover in Hampshire for children and adults alike!
If you are looking for more days out ideas then have a look at:
The Biggest List of Things to do in Hampshire – This is our biggest list of things to do in Hampshire with kids. Use this when you are looking for things to do with your family.
A Huge Guide to the Best Beaches in Hampshire – It doesn’t matter what the weather is like this half term, going to the beach can be fun!
33 Half Term Activities in Hampshire That Are Free – This is our full list of free activities in Hampshire.
Things to do ideas
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!
Read more about 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!
Things to do in Half Term
There is so much to do throughout Hampshire. Half term is the perfect time to find things to do that you’ve never done before.
North Hampshire
There is loads to do in North Hampshire! For more ideas on what to do have a look at:
The Biggest List of Things to do in Basingstoke With Kids
The Best Things to do in Andover with Kids
The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Winchester
We love Milestones Museum. Based in Basingstoke, this is an interactive museum that is great for the whole family to enjoy, whatever the weather.
Run by Hampshire Cultural Trust, the Milestones Museum walks you through our history on cobbled streets and through the vehicles we’ve used and the shops we used to visit. This is really is a living history museum that lets you explore and interact with the past.
Before you arrive, you do need to a book ticket. You can do this online on their website. What we love the most is that they have an up-to-date total of how many people are currently in the museum and their maximum capacity clearly on their home page. This means that you can quickly see how busy the museum could be.
You can find Milestone Museum at Basingstoke Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke RG22 6PG.
Home to the Carnarvon family since 1679, Highclere Castle is now home to many famous shows including Downton Abbey. Walk around these famous halls and gardens to really experience what life was like for those who really lived in this castle. There is parking on-site and a cafe for the whole family. You can also explore the grounds while having a family picnic. This really is a day out for the whole family.
You can find Highclere Castle at Highclere Park, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust is set in 22 acres of beautiful countryside that offers the whole family flying displays and amazing animal experiences. The trust has loads of places to have a picnic, a great play area for the little ones, and a wide range of animals that will keep even the older kids amused.
You can find Hawk Conservancy at Sarson Lane, Andover SP11 8DY.
Winchester Science Museum is a great place for the whole family to visit. They have a great planetarium that you do need to pay extra for but it’s so worth it.
They host a range of free activities as well depending on what their topic is that month. This is a full day out that really gets the whole family excited by science.
You can find Winchester Science Museum at Telegraph Way, Winchester SO21 1HZ.
5. St Catherine’s Hill Winchester
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 card 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.
You can find St Catherine’s Hill on Garnier Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9PA.
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.
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.
You can find Alice Holt Country Park at Farnham GU10 4LS.
7. Day Out With Thomas on the Watercress Line
Not far from Winchester, the Watercress Line’s Day Out with Thomas is a must see for all train fans. The Watercress Line is a 10 mile track which takes around 40 mins to travel. You can do this on a range of different steam and diesel trains which stop at different stations – Alresford, Ropley, Medstead and Four Marks and Alton. These aren’t your traditional stations, instead, these are well maintained and beautifully crafted attractions in themselves.
We love Finkley Down Farm! It’s a great place to visit for the whole family. You can feed the farm animals yourself, play in the massive soft play that is undercover and run around this amazing farm. They ut on seasonal and half term activities as well.
You can find Finkley Down Farm at North Way, Andover SP11 6NF.
Also known as Winchester Castle, The Great Hall is right in the middle of Winchester and is home to the legend of King Arther. The table has been dated as being made in the 13th or early 14th century. The hall is free to visit and makes a great day out with the Cathedral.
You can find The Great Hall at The Castle, Castle Ave, Winchester SO23 8UJ.
10. Marwell Zoo
Visit Marwell Zoo in half term and you will come across amazing exotic animals from around the World. Our favourites are the penguins and the tigers. There is plenty to do all day at Marwell Zoo including undercover picnic spots and a land train. There is a lot of walking though so bring a buggy for little ones.
You can find Marwell Zoo at Thompson’s Lane, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH.
11. Chawton House
Owned by Jane Austen’s brother, Chawton House is the place that Jane Austen used to stroll around while creating her books. This Elizabethan manor is steeped in history and is great for the whole family who can really enjoy what life was like for Jane at the time. Chawton House has on-site parking and huge grounds for you to explore as well.
You can find Chawton House at Chawton, Alton GU34 1SJ.
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 Rd, Basingstoke RG22 5UL.
13. Basingstoke Knights Realm Adventure Golf
Knights Realm Adventure Golf is a great morning or afternoon activity. It brings a whole new meaning to cray golf. This is an 18 hole course that is dragon themed. While demanding, it is fun for even the little ones.
You can find Basingstoke Knights Realm Adventure Golf at 354 Worting Rd, Basingstoke RG22 5DY.
14. The Vyne House and Gardens
This huge Tudor house was built in the 16th Century by Henry VIII’s for Lord Sandys, who was his Lord Chamberlain. Many famous people have walked this red-bricked mansions hall including Jane Austen herself, Anne Boleyn, and Horace Walpole. The gardens are huge, around 13-acres that are included in the price of the ticket. Let the kids explore this amazing home while running around the gardens.Parking is free on-site and they have a great cafe that caters to kids, including kids’ meals and snacks. They also have loads of picnic benches throughout the grounds if you prefer to bring your own.
You can find The Vyne House at Vyne Rd, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke RG24 9HL.
This is one of the best outside karting centers for juniors and adults. They have three different circuits with slow and technical courses. The cars can go up to 60mph!
You can find Thruxton Race Course at Thruxton Circuit, Andover SP11 8PW.
South Hampshire
If you are looking for more things to do in South Hampshire then have a look at:
11 Fun Things to do in Eastleigh for the Whole Family
The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Southampton With Kids
16. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
We love Sir Harold Hillier Gardens as it’s a great day for the whole family. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is in Romsey just outside of the town. They have their own huge car park that is free to use. You do need to buy a ticket beforehand to enter. Once you are inside these amazing gardens you are free to wander around as you wish. These gardens are set over 180 acres of land that is ready for you to explore.
You can find Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Jermyns Ln, Romsey SO51 0QA.
17. 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.
Did you know that the grounds of Royal Victoria Country Park used to be a former military hospital? Used during the First World War, many soldiers were shipped here to receive the very best care and attention. Now, all that is left of this huge building is the Chapel.
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.
You can find Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley Abbey, Southampton SO31 5GA.
18. Paulton’s Park
Paulton’s Park is the home of Peppa Pig World and is a family theme park based in Romsey in Hampshire and is close to the New Forest National Park. Paultons Park has over 70 fun rides and attractions that are perfect for the whole family right down to babies right up to adults. Even older children will love this amusement park.
Paulton’s Park is the world’s first Peppa Pig World and has a range of attractions that cross from thrill-seekers to smaller rides for younger kids.
Buying your tickets online is very easy. Once purchased, you get sent your tickets to your email address and you can either print them out or have them handy on your phone. They are all scanned as you walk through the barrier.
Paulton’s Park postcode is SO51 6AL.
19. Telegraph Woods
Telegraph Woods is a small public woodland in Eastleigh, Southampton that many locals know well. It’s a great place to visit for the whole family. It’s a buggy-friendly wood that stretches from Telegraph Road in West End all the way to the Ageas Bowl in West End, by the M27 motorway.
It’s perfect for family walks, adventures, tree climbing, and dog walking. The paths are uneven and hilly at times so it’s not always buggy friendly. The track does get smaller as you go but we’ve seen older kids on bikes navigate it well.
Unless you know where Telegraph Woods are, you’ve never be able to find them. Parking is down Telegraph Road in the side in-lays. The road is small with houses on one side and the woods on the other.
You can find Telegraph Woods at Telegraph Rd, West End, Southampton SO30 3EX.
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. Bring your wellies as this farm is great in all weathers. Make sure that you lookout for the sheep and lambs too. You’ll see all their native sheep and lambs, and learn how the farm looks after them all year round.
You can find Manor Farm Country Park at Pyland’s Lane, Southampton SO31 1BH.
Flip Out Southampton is a great trampoline park and soft play in Chandlers Ford which is 14 minutes away from central Southampton. Once you’ve booked your ticket, your jump sessions give you access to every area below that you can use as many times as you like during your set session. They offer loads of different sessions which include toddler mornings, SEND sessions, and weekday bargain jumps.
You can find Flip Out Southampton at 1a School Lane, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh SO53 4D.
22. 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. A small drive from the center of town, Itchen Valley Country Park has everything you need for a great day out. Bring a picnic and park in one of the five car parks.
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.
You can find Itchen Valley Country Park at Allington Lane, Southampton SO30 3HQ.
Injoy Centre Southampton is a great indoor activity for the whole family. They have a wide selection of things to do that can suit toddlers right up to adults.
There is so much to do at Injoy Centre Southampton. They have a range of activities that include a trampoline park, soft play, laser tag, climbing walls, and an Interactive Zone. Injoy Centre Southampton is great for all ages including toddlers to adults as they have everything under one roof.
You can find Injoy Centre Southampton at Ocean Village, 4, Ocean Way, Southampton SO14 3T.
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.
HMS Cricket – HMS Cricket was built in 1943 and used to have 120 buildings to its name. While you are out walking, you may be lucky to see some of the remnants of HMS Cricket still today.
You can find River Hamble Country Park at Pyland’s Ln, Southampton SO31 1BH.
Based right in the center of Southampton City and designated “Site of Special Scientific Interest”by Southampton City council, Southampton Common is a large open space that is home to The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre, a lake, a play park, and a large flat field.
Southampton Common covers a huge area of Southampton is great for scooters and buggies. There’s plenty of parking around the outside and you never have to take the same path twice.
Supporting a huge range of wildlife, Southampton Common covers 365 acres of parkland that is ready to be explored. This is a family park that has loads of hidden trails and paths. Perfect if your family like to walk the untracked and get out of the busy city center.
You can find Southampton Common at The Avenue, Southampton SO15 7NN.
Sat just outside Eastleigh Town Center, Lakeside Country Park is a little bit of heaven tucked away on a busy main road opposite Eastleigh Train Station. Completely dog-friendly, Lakeside Country Park is a great place to walk with the family. The ground is stony but it is flat. It is about 2500 meters and starts at The Lakeside Centre, takes you around the three lakes, past the playground, around The Wildlife sanctuary, and back to the railway.
You can find Lakeside Country Park at Wide Lane, Eastleigh SO50 5PD.
27. Mottisfont Abbey
With its huge gardens and sweeping windows, Mottisfont Abbey is the perfect family-friendly day out for the whole family. They offer free guided tours that are family-based so that everyone gets to fully explore these amazing grounds. Mottisford also looks after over 1000 acres of woodland that is ideal to explore. They have picnic benches throughout the grounds and an on-site cafe that caters to everyone.
You can find Mottisfont Abbey at Mottisfont Ln, Mottisfont, Romsey SO51 0LP.
Great for older kids, God’s House Tower is the home to local history talks and exhibits about Southampton’s local history.
You can find God’s House Tower at Town Quay, Road, Southampton SO14 2NY.
Golden Gecko is a great place for the whole family to climb. You can book sessions or just go for a climb. They have a great cafe onsite as well.
You can find Golden Gecko Climbing at Romsey Industrial Estate, Unit 34 Greatbridge Rd, Romsey SO51 0HR.
30. Netley Abbey
We love Netley Abbey! It is a 13th century church that is still mostly standing. It is free to go into but does have very limited parking. Please check the opening times before you visit.
You can find Netley Abbey at Abbey Hill, Netley, Southampton SO31 5FB.
East Hampshire
Being right on the coast, East Hampshire has to much to offer the whole family. For more ideas, have a look at:
21 Portsmouth Attractions for the Whole Family
What to do at Southsea Sea Front
31. Fort Nelson
Royal Armouries Fort Nelson is a great place to visit for the whole family. Based in Fareham near Portsmouth in Hampshire, Fort Nelson overlooks the South Downs National park.
The Royal Armouries Fort Nelson is home to an astonishing collection of artillery. This may not sound very family-friendly but it really is. The armouries museum is completely interactive and outside there are tunnels and little hidden parts of the fort that we keep discovering every time we visit.
You can find Fort Nelson at Portsdown Hill Rd, Portchester, Portsmouth, Fareham PO17 6AN.
32. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is right on the Portsmouth seafront, just along from Gunwharf Quays. It’s a full day of fun and adventure for the whole family. The dockyard features HMS Warrior, HMS Victory, the Mary Rose museum, and everything you need to know about Lord Nelson.
We’ve been lucky enough to visit when a huge Royal Navy ship was in so keep a lookout as the dock is still actively used as a naval base.
You can find Portsmouth Historic Dockyard at Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ.
One of our personal favourites, Portchester Castle is an old fortification built by Richard II. It’s like a palace inside and gives you a real feeling of what it was like to live there.
Visiting the outside of the castle and inside the grounds are free. They have the best cafe on-site and encourage you to picnic with the family. Make sure you walk around the outside of the castle walls as the views of the Solent are eye-stopping.
You can find Portchester Castle at Church Lane, Portchester, Fareham PO16 9QW.
Southsea Sea Front is a great if your family wants to go scootering or for a bike ride on a flat surface. All the paths are flat and there are so many ways you can go!
Walk along the seafront a bit more and you’ll come to the lighthouse and Henry 8th Fort that the kids can walk around. The fields on this side are hilly but they are great to stand atop to watch the incoming ships come in.
Opposite the Seafront there is a huge green field that hosts a great playground as well as a great space for picnics and games.
Wherever you park along the seafront you have to pay but they do have toilets on either end of the piers and plenty of places to sit down if the kids get tired.
Related Posts:
- The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire
- The Best Castles in Hampshire
- The Best Zoos and Wildlife Parks in Hampshire
West Hampshire
The New Forest has loads to offer kids of all ages. You can canoe through the river or trek through the forest or play games on loads of the open fields. Have a look at our full guide here:
A Huge Guide to Things to do in New Forest
Forget soft and fluffy, come enjoy scaly and slithery! The New Forest Reptile Centre has the best reptiles Britain has to offer all under one roof, including adders, grass snakes, smooth snakes, lizards, frogs, and toads.
Free to enter and with the New Forest National Park right on its doorstep, The New Forest Reptile Centre is a great activity to pair with a walk or cycle through the forest and some fun in Brockenhurst.
You can find New Forest Reptile Centre at Deerleap Lane, Southampton SO40 4UH.
This farm is great for all ages. It has all the farm animals you’d expect from a working farm that you can feed and help look after. They have great indoor activities as well for raining days.
You can find Longdown Activity Farm at Deerleap Ln, Ashurst, Southampton SO40 7EH.
We love Moors Valley Country Park! There is so much to do for the whole family and all ages can enjoy a day out. Set over 1000-acres of woodland, Moors Valley Country Park has play trails, cycle trails, a steam train, a lake, and loads of buggy-friendly walks for the little ones. Run by Forestry England, Moors Valley Country Park is a family-friendly space that offers you everything you need for an amazing day out!
You can find Moors Valley Country Park at Horton Rd, Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2ET.
38. Hurst Spit Beach
With lovely views of the Isle of Wright, this beach is lovely to watch the world go by. The cafe is limited so bringing lunch is a good idea. Parking is hard to come by too so visit early to make sure you get a spot.
You can find Hurst Spit Beach at Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 0TP.
39. Hurst Castle
Looking over Milford-on-Sea, Hurst Castle was built by Henry VIII in 1544. It is famous for being the prison of Charles 1st and offers amazing views for the Solent. Make sure you travel down the steps to the dungeon and travel to the East and West wings to see where the gunpowder was kept and how the soldiers lived. What we love the best is that you can take a ride to the castle using the ferry. Getting to the castle isn’t pushchair-friendly though as it’s all shingles.
You can find Hurst Castle at Milford on Sea, Lymington SO41 0TP.
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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