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A Complete Guide To Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly

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Including coastal walks, river walks and woodland walks in Hampshire.

Hampshire is stunning, there’s no denying that and sometimes it’s nice to visit somewhere off the beaten track. These 9 walks in Hampshire offer everything a family needs from rivers, country pubs, beautiful parks and rich history. It’s no wonder we all love living here – I know I do!

If you’re looking for other day out ideas then have a look at:

The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire – This is our full list of country parks in Hampshire. Country parks make a great day out for the whole family.

51 Free Days Out in Hampshire For Families – These are the best free family days out. Use these at weekends and half terms for some free things to do.

A Huge Guide to the Best Beaches in Hampshire – Looking for something to do for the whole family? Then go to the beach! We have loads of amazing one’s in Hampshire.

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.

Have a look at our HUGE guide to things to do in Hampshire here.

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Walks in Hampshire

We asked other local parents about their favourite places to walk in Hampshire, which may not be quite so well-known.

South Hampshire

Lakeside Country Park

Lakeside is off of Wide Lane in Eastleigh. There is plenty of free parking and it was a cafe and toilets. They also have a small train that runs around the country park (charges do apply.)

There’s two or three ways you could walk but we normally go to the left through the second gate. This takes you through a small forest of trees that are on the outer ring of the country park.

This path also takes you to the small play park at the back of the country park to your right or to the huge lake which would be on your left.

There are loads of places to have a picnic and it’s great if your kids love to spot wildlife. The paths are stony but are ok for pushchairs and bikes. 

Read more about Lakeside Country Park here.

Lakeside Country Park can be found at Wide Lane, Eastleigh SO50 5PD.

Riverside Park

This long stretch of path goes from The White Swan pub in Mansbridge right up and through Bitterne Park.

There are plenty of places you can park for free which include The White Swan pub and the actual Riverside Park which is right next to Woodmill and the Outdoor Discovery Center.

This car park can get busy in the summer as it’s right next to the Pitch and Putt plus has the Skate Park directly across from it.

Don’t let this put you off though! Whichever way you decide to walk you will encounter a nice flat path that is perfect for kids bikes and scooters with flat grass side by side.

The river is a great place to spot all the local wildlife including ducks and swans. There’s two great children’s play parks either end with loads of benches on the way. 

Riverside Park can be found at Manor Farm Road, Southampton SO18 1NQ.

Telegraph Woods

Trees in Telegraph Woods

Telegraph Woods is located in Telegraph Road in West End, Southampton. Parking is on the road and is free! There’s so many ways you can walk. We started by walking along the main path through the middle of the woods.

If you turn to the right then you’ll find a hill that takes you deeper into the woods. Turning left into the trees takes you down further by the pond which, in the summer, is covered with lily pads. Keep walking further down and you’ll find the Ages Bowl peaking through the trees too.

Read more about Telegraph Woods here.

You can find Telegraph Woods at Telegraph Rd, West End, Southampton SO30 3EX.

Western Shore

This stretch of waterfront leads on to Victoria Country Park if you keep following the road. It provides a long flat path that runs alongside a pebble beach. Bring the kids scooters or bikes and enjoy a two-mile or so walk that includes a lovely small outside cafe and benches.

There is two free car parks on site and plenty of on-road parking that gives you direct access to the beach. It’s a great place to watch the cruise ships or other big liners sail away from. 

You can find Western Shore at Southampton SO19 9TA.

Itchen Valley Country Park

A start 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 (parking charges apply.)

Walk-in one direction and enjoy the huge field that also hosts a playground and woods that are waiting to be explored.

The other way hosts a smaller park with a cafe and toilets. 

Read more about Itchen Valley Country Park here.

You can find Itchen Valley Country Park at Allington Lane, Southampton SO30 3HQ.

River Hamble Country Park

Bring the fishing nets and enjoy the huge river that spans the country park. This is a great place to play, have a picnic and explore the surrounding forest. There’s a great playground, cafe and toilets on-site too.

River Hamble Country Park is also the home to Manor Farm.

Read more about River Hamble Country Park here.

You can find River Hamble Country Park at Pyland’s Lane, Southampton SO31 1BH.

Southampton Common Country Park

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 Hospital

Right on Netley seafront, this country park has everything you need for a fun day trip out for the whole family. Enjoy the seaside views from the stony beach or play on one of the three massive green fields. It has a huge adventure playground, a steam train and a great little cafe with toilets on site.

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.

Hamble Spy Mission Treasure Trail

This is a self-guided tour through Hamble. It takes about two-hours to go around the whole tour which is about 2-miles.

The trail is a great way to explore Hamble as you’ve never seen it before. You can buy the booklet for the official trail website which does give you clues and ideas for things to do for as you go.

We have done this trail but have also made up our own circular route.

Start at the top of the village and explore everything Hamble has to offer you as a family. There’s loads of great picnic spots as well.

Romsey Mystery Treasure Trail

This is a trail that takes you through this old city. You can do this at your own pace and really have some family fun. If you decide to buy the trail map off the website then it comes as a Murder Mystery. It’s perfect for kids six-years-old and up and takes about 2-hours to complete.

The Southampton Treasure Hunt Trail

Like the two above, this is a hunt that takes you through the old city of Southampton. This is self-guided and shows you the old walls and buildings of this great city. It’s not very assailable though as there’s loads of stairs and small walk ways.

Old Town Southampton

This can be guided or self guided. You’ll be surprised where the old walls can take you. Many of the old buildings have arrows and signs that lead you on to the next building.

Start at the Bargate at walk the old paths towards the ancient monuments, Georgian houses and medieval churches. Don’t forgot to walk along the old walls too.

The Outdoor Sports Center

Based near Bassett in Southampton, this huge outdoor space has big fields and small hills that are perfect for running around.

Parking is at the top of the hill but it’s free to use. All the paths are paved as via the huge hill at the start, the rest is flat and perfect for bikes and scooters or anyone with mobility issues.

There’s toilets by the tennis courts, plenty of space for a picnic or games and if your kids are older, have a look at the Active Nation website as they offer a range of sports during the summer months including dry skiing.

Keep walking to the back of the park and you’ll come across The Pleasure Park, which hosts small kids rides for very low prices. Our favorite is the huge wavy slide.

There’s a playground by The Pleasure Park too which is gated.

Beachlands (Hayling Island)

This pebble beach is eight kilometers long on the western end of the seafront. With everything Hayling Island has to offer, Beachlands also includes a fairground and amusement arcades close by.

During the summer months dogs are restricted so please see the council website for updates.

Hayling Island Beach

This lovely beach has over 3 miles of shingle beach that is perfect for the whole family. It’s a great place for swimming as when the tide goes out it goes a long way so it’s really shallow.

You do have to pay for parking but there is a great cafe and toilets on-site. 

Hythe Beach

This pebble beach isn’t well know but is great on a sunny day to enjoy the coast. It can be a bit steep at times but is great for a walk along the seafront.

If you keep walking then you come to the promenade which has shops and cafes.

Eastoke Beach

This beach is park sand, part shingle. It’s great for older kids to surf as it can get a bit windy. There’s loads of local facilities though including cafes and picnic areas.

Walks in East Hampshire

Holly Hill Woodland Park

stepping stones over the river

Holly Hill is a woodland park in Fareham near Portsmouth. There are toilets at the top of the main car park, which is on Barnes Close.

You can take a picnic as there are loads of benches or places to lay a rug.

Depending on how long you would like to walk, you can pick a trail that takes you through the enchanted forest, over bridges and stepping stones.

Read more about Holly Hill Woodland Park here.

You can find Holly Hill Woodland Park at 123 Barnes Lane, Sarisbury Green, Southampton SO31 7BH.

Southsea Sea Front

Southsea Sea Front D-Day Museum

Southsea Sea Front is a great if your family want to go scootering or for a bike ride on a flat surface. Opposite the Seafront there is a huge green field that hosts a great playground as well as a great space for picnics and games.

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 this side are hilly but they are great to stand atop to watch the incoming ships come in.

Wherever you park along the seafront you have to pay but they do have toilets either end of the piers and plenty of places to sit down if the kids get tired.

All the paths are flat and there’s so many ways you can go!

Read more about Southsea Sea Front here.

You can find Southsea Sea Front at Eastney Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4 0SP.

Waggoners Wells

Waggoners wells is a National Trust area located in Grayshott, East Hampshire. With its 3 stunning lakes which run into one another via manmade waterfalls and rivers, a vast amount of woodland and walks that are perfect for families and dog walkers alike, it is the ideal place to spend on a Sunday afternoon.

It is free to park and walk around, just make sure you take your spare coins to make a wish in the well! Also, pack a change of clothes and your wellies during the wetter months because there are just so many parts for your kids to scramble around, like on the exposed roots on a bank going up to the woods, parts of the river to jump in and the walkways can get very muddy. Unfortunately, there are no facilities here so make sure you take snacks and water with you.

You can find Waggoners Wells at Hindhead GU26 6DT.

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.

Brook Meadow

This is a huge flat area in Emsworth that is great for a family walk. Spot wildlife in the long grass and have a picnic too.

You can find Brook Meadow at Emsworth PO10 7SS.

Emsworth Mill Pond

This pond is great if the kids want to see the wild pond life or the ducks. You can do a circular walk in the high grass which is great for the whole family. Wear wellies when wet though as it can get a bit flooded at times.

You can find Emsworth Mill Pond at Bath Road, Emsworth PO10 7ER.

Warsash Local Nature Reserve

With over 500 acres of land, Warsash Local Nature Reserve is great for all ages. It’s a pretty flat walk. It is 1.5km in length and can take about an hour to complete. All the paths are flat so great for buggies and bikes. You can find Warsash Local Nature Reserve at Warsash Common SO31 9SB.

You can find Warsash Local Nature Reserve at Locks Heath, Fareham, Warsash, Southampton SO31 9FR.

Swanwich Lakes

Just under 35 hectares, Swanwick Lakes is a great place to visit in the summer months. Swanwick Lakes has grazing animals all year round and has paths that are great for buggies. It does get muddy in the winter months though.

You can find Swanwick Lakes at Sopwith Way, Swanwick, Hampshire, SO31 7AY.

Portsdown Hill

Overlooking Portsmouth, Portsdown Hill is a great place for a family walk. It’s a high hill that needs wellies in the winter and isn’t good for buggies but is great fun to climb.

You can find Portsdown Hill at Portsmouth PO6 3SH.

Wickham Water Meadows

This is a lovely area close to the town that Wickham that you can have a picnic and a walk around. Take the kids and enjoy a day out at these water meadows.

You can find Wickham Water Meadows at Fareham Rd, Wickham, Fareham PO17 5DE.

The Forest of Bere

This is a great loop around the beautiful countryside. The trail is about 3-miles long through the stunning forest. Look out for the wildlife that calls this forest it’s home.

You can find The Forest of Bere at West Walk, Hundred Acres Road, Wickham, PO17 6JD.

Find Things to do in Hampshire

If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire then come join our free Resource Vault. We have loads of free ideas that you can do with your kids out and about or at home.

You can also get access to our facebook group and our free eBook, 101 Free Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids.

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Walks in North Hampshire

Black Dam Ponds

This has lovely flat and wide pathways that are perfect for scooters and bikes. Enjoy the pond while having a lovely picnic on the lush green fields. This is a great walk for younger families who need to be kept amused.

You can find Black Dam Ponds at Basingstoke RG21 3QU.

Crabtree Plantation

This is a great place to fly your kites while blowing off steam. This wide open space is great for bike riding or kicking a football around with the kids.

You can find Crabtree Plantation at London Rd, Old Basing, Basingstoke RG24 7HB.

Eastrop Park

Just a short walk away from Festival Place this park has everything a family could need including a huge play park, woods, flat paths and a pond for the whole family to enjoy.

You can find Eastrop Park at Eastrop Lane, Basingstoke RG21 4QB.

River Itchen

St Catherine's Hill, Winchester in Hampshire

Running through the city of Winchester is the River Itchen. As it leaves the city it passes by St. Catherines Hill and continues onto Southampton. You can follow it via different trails and each are just as interesting as the others.

As I said, you can head towards St.Catherines Hill (also a great place for the kids) and follow it along the footpath here, past St.Catherines Wheel and up to the viaduct. You could also enjoy sitting by it on the opposite side of the road where there is a large green area with tennis courts.

This is a popular spot in the summer and the river provides the best way to cool off on a hot day. I have seen people bring their inflatables down to enjoy the summer in a typically British fashion! A little further down the road is a more secluded walkway which I only discovered myself just last year.

The path runs parallel to the one at St.Catherine’s Hill and eventually brings you to The Church of the Hospital of St.Cross. There are free roaming cows here so do be cautious with your smaller children. However, just around the side of the church you could set up a picnic on the grassy area and enjoy soaking up some of the history that this city has to offer.

Read more about St.Catherine’s Hill here.

You can find St. Catherine’s Hill at Bull Drove, Winchester SO23 9PA.

The Zig-Zag

Selborne is probably best known for Gilbert White’s House but hidden away between the Selborne Arms and houses is a wooded pathway to the most fun walk I used to take as a child– The Zig Zag.

The path zig-zags, as you can probably gather from its name, but as you take each step and gradually get higher above the quaint village (and more out of breath!) it is most definitely worth it, the views from the top are amazing! From here you can choose to either walk back down or to investigate the surrounding woodlands which can also lead you back down to the car park.

Farley Mount

On the downs, a few miles west of Winchester lies Farley Mount Country Park. This is a large area of open countryside and woods, including chalk down grassland, Forestry Commission plantation and the Ancient woodland Nature Reserve, Crabwood. Here you will find plenty of trails, wooden play areas hidden within the trees, den building and beautiful wildlife to take in. There are plenty of areas to park up and at and walk from so you may want to do a little research prior to visiting so you can pick the perfect spot for you and your family.

You can find Farley Mount at Sparsholt, Winchester SO21 2JG.

Butser Hill

Opposite the very popular Queen Elizabeth Country Park lies one of the highest points in Hampshire, Butser Hill. It provides a lovely walk for the whole family and even though it may feel like a bit of a steep climb, once you reach the top the views are completely worth it. On a clear day, you will be able to see for miles, possibly even to the sea. Coming back down is great fun for the kids, you cannot resist a little bit of hill rolling and running!

Butser and its surrounding areas sit on Ancient land which brings a lot of interest to its history, in its spirituality as well as scientific investigation. If you wanted to make a day of being in this area and are intrigued about finding out more you could also visit the nearby Ancient Farm too. There is a charge for this attraction and opening times do depend on the time of year but it is a brilliant place to take the children and it will really help to get them interested in local history.

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Walks in West Hampshire

Keyhaven Marshes

This small, quiet village which overlooks the Solent is part of the larger Keyhaven Nature Reserve, which spans almost 500 acres of land. With mudflats and salt marshes, it is a haven for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for Barn Owls, brown hares, a variety of birds and rodents. There are plenty of trails to follow and so much to explore, however, do bear in mind that the village has no shops but there are a couple of sailing clubs and a pub.

You can find Keyhaven Marshes at Unnamed Road, Lymington SO41 0TR.

Fordingbridge River and Playground

Fordingbridge is a small, riverside town in the New Forest. The River Avon runs through it which provides plenty of beautiful walks and sights, but as we are looking for gems that the kids will also like, I have been told about a great playground they would adore. The park includes a large play area, climbing frame, skate park, grass areas to play on and even a paddling pool. There is also a riverside kiosk located nearby so you don’t need to worry about packing too much up for the day.

You can find Fordingbridge River at Fordingbridge SP6 1AN.

Bolderwood Arboretum

Bolderwood Arboretum is on Ornamental Drive that leads from the A35. It’s got a huge car park and toilets close by.

If you go through the gate and follow the path it leads you down to a viewing around were you should be able to see some wild deer roaming throughout the forest.

Keep walking down and you come across a light stream and a few small ponds.

The path is a bit hilly and if it’s been raining you may need wellies. Saying that though, it’s fine for pushchairs and bikes.

You can find Bolderwood Arboretum at Ornamental Drive is SO43 7GQ

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.

The full guide to fun walks in Hampshire that are great for the whole family. Bring your bikes and scooters along these paths while enjoying the wildlife by Laura at Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids #ThingstoDo #Hampshire #WalksInEngland

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