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.
Hurst Castle is a historic 16th-century artillery fort located on Hurst Spit in Hampshire, England, built by Henry VIII to protect the Solent. It features extensive 19th-century gun batteries, an active lighthouse, and served military roles through two World Wars. Now managed by English Heritage, the site offers visitors a glimpse into England's coastal defence history amid ongoing conservation efforts due to coastal erosion.
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
Join a guided tour of the Needles Old Battery to explore its military history, surviving structures and stories of the people who lived and served there. The tour is led by Jo and Steve from Restore the Story CIC.
Westquay is a major shopping centre in Southampton, offering over 130 retail stores including major brands, a wide range of dining options, a cinema, and leisure facilities all within a large indoor complex heated by geothermal energy.
Festival Place is a large indoor shopping centre in Basingstoke featuring over 200 shops, dining options, a cinema, sports and discovery centres, and a trampoline park, making it suitable for families and diverse visitors.
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.
Basingstoke is a historic market town in Hampshire with a rich heritage including Roman and medieval sites, thriving cultural venues, extensive shopping and leisure facilities, and strong transport links by rail and bus.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic monument on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, famous for its massive standing stones arranged in a circular layout aligned with the sunrise and sunset of solstices. It is a World Heritage Site managed by English Heritage, with a visitor centre offering facilities. The monument is set within a landscape rich in other Neolithic and Bronze Age sites, attracting tourists for its archaeological significance and seasonal events like the solstice.
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.
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.
Gunwharf Quays is a vibrant shopping centre in Portsmouth featuring a wide range of retail stores, dining options, and a cinema, set within a historic former military site including restored buildings and the landmark Spinnaker Tower.
Winchester City Mill is a restored watermill from 1744 in Winchester, offering historical water-powered flour milling, weekend demonstrations, a café, and wildlife viewing including otters.
Woolbeding House is an 18th-century Grade I listed country house in West Sussex with historic architecture and extensive gardens open to the public, featuring a unique kinetic glasshouse and artistic garden installations.
West Green House is an 18th-century country house and garden in Hampshire known for its distinctive gardens and annual summer opera season performed outdoors. It features six unique walled gardens, a lake with a fountain, and classical architecture elements, offering both indoor and outdoor experiences, with food available on site.
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.
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.
Uppark is a Grade I listed 17th-century historic house museum in West Sussex, open to the public as a National Trust property. It features extensive collections from the 18th century, has been carefully restored after a major fire in 1989, and holds historical significance including ties to writer H. G. Wells.
Marwell Zoo in Hampshire is a large wildlife park featuring diverse animal exhibits, including endangered species, accompanied by playgrounds, food outlets and conservation efforts. It offers an outdoor family-friendly experience within the historic Marwell Hall estate.
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.
Fareham Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping centre located in the heart of Fareham, Hampshire, featuring multiple atriums, a variety of retail stores, cafes, and convenient parking facilities.
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.
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.
New Forest Wildlife Park is a zoological park focused on native British wildlife and global otters and owls, offering conservation projects, animal exhibits including a butterfly walk-through, and visitor facilities like a café and gift shop.
Marlands Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping mall in Southampton offering a variety of retail stores, cafes, a food court, and family-friendly amenities including a soft play area and axe throwing venue. It features postmodern architecture and has undergone multiple renovations since its 1991 opening.
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.
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.
Calshot Castle is a historic 16th-century artillery fort situated on Calshot Spit in Hampshire, England. It was built by Henry VIII as part of the coastal defence strategy and later used as a seaplane base. The castle features a circular keep, curtain wall, and moat, with restoration reflecting its early 20th-century appearance. Today, it is managed by English Heritage and open to the public for exploration of its rich military and architectural heritage.