See Winchester City Mill’s New Waterwheel Turning
17 Oct, 25 Oct…
Visitors can watch Winchester City Mill’s newly installed historic waterwheel turn during test sessions, ahead of the Mill’s return to milling.
Hampshire
Hampshire is a historic county in South East England known for its diverse landscapes, rich heritage sites, maritime cities, and vibrant cultural and outdoor activities.
Pumpkin displays at Hinton Ampner
17 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can discover more than 500 pumpkins arranged around the grounds of Hinton Ampner, including an archway of gourds and pumpkins in the Walled Garden, with seasonal photo opportunities.
Exhibition: Seen in the Trees – Tansy Lee Moir
8–26 Oct (another 17 days)
An exhibition of Tansy Lee Moir’s drawings, paintings and monoprints inspired by trees and their histories. Visitors can view works made with charcoal, natural pigments and mixed media.
A Regency Autumn
9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…
A Regency-themed event exploring autumn social life in Salisbury, including the harvest, the social season and the Glorious Twelfth. It also covers Regency-era All Hallows’ Eve, Gothic literature and folklore.
Near Mompesson House
Mompesson House is an 18th-century Queen Anne style historic house in Salisbury, Wiltshire, owned by the National Trust. Visitors can explore its carefully restored Georgian interiors and collections of 18th-century decorative arts. The house was also a filming location for the movie Sense and Sensibility.
Tour: ‘Taste, Design, & the Georgian Gentleman’
7 Oct, 10 Oct…
A volunteer-led tour exploring Georgian owner John Chute’s life, relationships and influence on The Vyne’s architecture and interiors. Visitors see highlights including the Neo-classical portico, historic chapel features and Tudor Oak Gallery.
Near The Vyne
The Vyne in Hampshire is a historic Tudor mansion with royal connections set within extensive gardens, meadows, and ancient woodlands. Visitors can explore opulent state rooms, enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities, and attend outdoor theatre and cinema events. On-site facilities include a tea-room and a gift shop, with accessibility features and dog-friendly areas.
Stansted Park: Scandal and Society
16 Oct (next Friday)
A talk by Stansted Park’s Collections Coordinator explores the people who owned the estate before the Earls of Bessborough arrived in 1924, and the historical events and stories associated with them. Tickets include a drink on arrival.
Near Stansted Park
Stansted Park is an Edwardian country house set within 1800 acres of landscaped parkland and forest, offering visitors house tours, gardens, a chapel, woodland walks, and various outdoor attractions including a maze and light railway. Facilities include accessible parking, a café, and buggy service, with family-friendly activities and seasonal guided tours.
Vintage tea room
8–11 Oct, 15–18 Oct…
A pop-up tea room in the exhibition cottage where visitors can help themselves to tea or coffee served in vintage cups, with a biscuit.
Near Sandham Memorial Chapel
Sandham Memorial Chapel is a Grade I listed chapel in Burghclere, Hampshire, featuring a series of World War I inspired murals by artist Stanley Spencer, run by the National Trust as a historic site open to the public.
Stranger Folk at Mompesson House
16–20 Oct, 23–27 Oct…
Families can use the Stranger Folk app to follow the Crone through an interactive folklore adventure at Mompesson House, completing magical challenges to help close a rift between the human and spirit worlds.
Near Sarum College
Sarum College is a historic college located in Salisbury Cathedral Close offering accessible accommodation with modern amenities, views of the cathedral, and proximity to cultural sites and city shops. Visitors can enjoy a mix of historic ambience and contemporary comfort within a largely wheelchair accessible environment.
Centenary exhibition detailing the building of Sandham Memorial Chapel .
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An exhibition exploring the design and construction of Sandham Memorial Chapel and its adjoining almshouses, including how Stanley Spencer’s artistic vision interacted with the architects’ practical and financial considerations.
2 miles from The Chase
The Chase is a 143-acre nature reserve near Woolton Hill, Hampshire, offering woodland, meadow, and heathland walks with wildlife including freely grazing horned cattle. It provides a quiet outdoor experience for walkers and nature enthusiasts.
Guided garden tours
6 Oct, 8 Oct…
Join a volunteer-led tour of the gardens at Hinton Ampner to learn more about them. Tours take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in October 2026.
Near Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner is a National Trust country house and garden estate in Hampshire, featuring a neo-Georgian mansion with rich interiors and extensive 20th-century gardens, alongside a historic village and church. Visitors can explore both the indoor historic house museum and the outdoor gardens and parkland.
Highlights Tours 2026
15 Oct (next Thursday)
A one-hour guided tour of Sir Stanley Spencer’s paintings at Sandham Memorial Chapel, highlighting their meanings and details.
2 miles from Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle is a historic Victorian mansion in Hampshire, famous as the filming location for Downton Abbey. Visitors can tour the state rooms and Egyptian Exhibition, explore extensive gardens, and enjoy onsite cafes and shops. The venue offers good wheelchair accessibility across most areas, including outdoor lawns and certain exhibits, though motorised wheelchairs are restricted inside the Castle.
Halloween Family fun at Hinton Ampner
17 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween family event in the gardens, with spooky games and challenges such as broomstick racing and tossing eyeballs into a cauldron. It is described as suitable for children aged 4–7.
Stranger Folk Digital Adventure
7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
A mobile-app adventure for ages 7–12 in The Vyne’s gardens, where teams follow a guide and complete creative tasks to find the Stranger Folk and decide their fate.
Near The Vyne
The Vyne is a historic 16th-century Tudor country house near Basingstoke, Hampshire, showcasing a blend of Tudor and classical architecture with notable features such as the earliest classical portico in England, a Tudor chapel, an early long gallery, and a grand imperial staircase. The house is set within landscaped grounds including a lake, and is open to the public as a National Trust property.
Exhibition - 'The Art & Craft of Print'
5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition of limited-edition prints by leading British printmakers, presented with fabrics, wallpaper and furniture to create an immersive gallery setting. Visitors can also see tools and film demonstrating printmaking techniques such as woodblock printing and lino cutting.
Near Mottisfont
Mottisfont Abbey is a Grade I listed historic estate and former priory in Hampshire, featuring a historic house museum, extensive gardens with a renowned rose collection, riverside walks, and seasonal cultural and children's activities. Operated by the National Trust, it combines meaningful indoor and outdoor experiences with art exhibitions and family-friendly events.
Talk: Who cut up The Vyne's cathedral book?
2 Oct, 18 Oct
A talk explores why sections were cut from Sir William Dugdale’s 1658 history of St Paul’s Cathedral and how the book connects to The Vyne and one of its former owners. Attendees can ask questions and see the volume on display in the house afterwards.
3 miles from Calleva Atrebatum
Calleva Atrebatum is an ancient Roman town site in Hampshire, England, featuring extensive visible Roman town walls, a large amphitheatre, and thermal bath remains. Open to the public without charge, visitors can explore the historic outdoor ruins and earthworks that reflect its significance as a major Roman crossroads and settlement.
We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ Halloween Adventure
5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween trail based on the children’s books, in which families follow the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill as they search for hidden ghosts around Mottisfont. Activities include choosing a bunny name, playing Halloween hoopla and racing broomsticks before a celebration party.
3 miles from Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is a large botanical garden in Hampshire featuring an extensive collection of champion trees, national plant collections, and a notable Winter Garden. Visitors can explore 180 acres of diverse woody plants, arboretum, and themed areas with refreshments and plant sales available on site.
Members’ Event: Statues Tour at Osborne
18 Oct, 20 Oct…
An outdoor guided tour of the statues and sculptures at Osborne, exploring who they represent and what they reveal about Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their family.
Near Osborne
Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, built as a summer home for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Visitors can explore the grand Italianate architecture, royal apartments, extensive gardens, and enjoy the unique historic setting including a private beach and the Durbar Room with Indian influences. The site offers a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences with historic interiors and landscaped grounds.
Located in East Cowes
East Cowes is a historic town on the Isle of Wight known for its royal connections, maritime heritage, and walking routes along the River Medina. It features landmarks such as Osborne House and Norris Castle, along with a lively town center and transport links via ferry and bus services.
Exhibition: “Taste, Design, and the Georgian Gentleman”
27 Jun–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A house-wide exhibition exploring Georgian owner John Chute’s influence on The Vyne and its interiors. Visitors can see historic decorative features and objects, including Venetian glass plates, an Italian casket and works of art.
3 miles from Silchester Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre
Silchester Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre in Hampshire features well-preserved Roman town defenses and amphitheatre remains set in an accessible outdoor archaeological site free to the public during daylight hours.
Members’ Event: Unexpected Osborne
18 Oct, 20 Oct…
An outdoor walking tour of Osborne for members, exploring less familiar features of the estate and sharing surprising stories and hidden details.
2 miles from Rosetta Cottage
Rosetta Cottage is a Victorian manor house in Cowes, Isle of Wight, known for its connection to Winston Churchill's parents' marriage proposal. It comprises two holiday cottages managed by the National Trust and is part of the island's Churchill Trail.
The social season: A Regency year at Mompesson House
9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…
Explore Mompesson House dressed to reflect the Portman family’s time there and learn about Regency life and the family’s social calendar. Visitors can see a Regency parlour and children’s playroom, take part in activities, and follow a spotter trail around the house.
Near Arundells
Arundells is a Grade II Listed historic house and garden in Salisbury, former home of Sir Edward Heath, showcasing art, memorabilia, and peaceful gardens with cathedral views. Visitors can explore the accessible house interior, extensive gardens, and enjoy cultural events.
Who's in Your Book?
7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Families can follow an interactive trail through The Vyne’s gardens, searching for characters from Tom Fletcher’s Who’s In Your Book? series and completing playful challenges.
Hinton Ampner: Unseen
5–18 Oct (another 9 days)
Hinton Ampner: Unseen is an exhibition revealing rarely displayed objects, hidden areas and stories from the historic house. Visitors can explore furniture, the China Store and the conservation work involved in caring for the collections.
Halloween Half-Term at Stonehenge
17 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween half-term event at Stonehenge with family activities including interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and a daily fancy-dress competition.
Near Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a world-famous prehistoric monument featuring the iconic Stone Circle and a museum exhibition showcasing 4,000 years of history. Visitors can explore the outdoor landscape and take part in guided tours inside the stone circle outside normal hours. The site offers a café, shop, and family-friendly facilities, making it a compelling cultural and educational day out.
Winter Birdwatching Walks
17 Oct, 29 Nov…
A guided winter walk through Newtown’s meadows, saltmarsh and creeks, with opportunities to learn about over-wintering birds, identify species and pick up birdwatching techniques.
Near Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall
Newtown National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight offers a unique blend of ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows, and a picturesque harbour filled with diverse birdlife. Visitors can explore peaceful walking trails, enjoy guided historical and wellbeing walks, and take part in water activities like canoeing. The 17th-century Old Town Hall nearby adds a historical element to the natural setting. The site is dog-friendly, wheelchair accessible on certain paths, and has food available at the Visitor Point.