Hampshire has it all. Lavish coastlines, sprawling countryside, medieval towns and all the chocolate box villages you could possibly want! But nestled within this fantastic South East coastal county, you’ll discover incredible sights and attractions that will make lasting family memories.
You’re guaranteed a great family day out that will suit everyone from the mini explorer to the creative mind.
Not sure where to kick off your Hampshire adventure? Here are some of our favourite unbeatable family bonding experiences to get you started:
Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton
Nestled in the rolling countryside of the South Downs National Park, you’ll discover the wonderful Butser Ancient Farm. A unique experimental archaeology site, you can walk around authentic-looking Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman Britain and Anglo-Saxon buildings – all inspired by the archaeological finds discovered in the UK.
Butser’s buildings are internationally famous and regularly appear in feature films and documentaries. It is also home to prehistoric crops and rare breeds of goats, sheep and more that you can come and see.
But that’s not all. You and the whole family can get involved too. Throughout the year, Butser offers a broad range of hands-on and inspiring activities and events ranging from the time-travelling adventure Crazy Celts Day Camp to Winter Soltice-inspired Tales of Winter Magic.
Don’t miss the unforgettable Romans in Residence: Butser IX Legion to unleash your inner Roman!
Exciting Escapes, Basingstoke, Portsmouth & Southampton
Exciting Escapes invites you to step back through the decades, don your detective cap and uncover mysteries. Fully immersive, engaging and challenging, you and your family are about to have the most thrilling hour of your lives!
Travel back to the height of the blitz in Croydon’s award-winning escape room game; Silence is a Virtue. Go back to 1896 and solve the mystery of the Disappearing Duchess. Or put your senses to the test and thwart an assassination attempt in Murder at the Movies.
With over 20 unique and authentic escape room games split across their venues in Basingstoke, Portsmouth and Southampton, the whole family will have an unforgettable time as you attempt to make your escape!
You can even dress the part, receive a photo at the end of your adventures and feel a real sense of achievement as you beat the room at its own game.
Do you think you have what it takes to make your escape?
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Are you looking for an action-packed family adventure? Travel through space, explore the intricacies of nature and see science come to life with massive explosions and exciting wow moments at Winchester Science Centre.
Perfect for the whole family, you can all get involved in hands-on discovery, play and experiments that will blow your minds!
Venture into the sound, vibration and hearing zone and step into the gigantic 10m long playable guitar or experience the extraordinary acoustics inside a sonic rocket. Find out what it’s like to live and work in space in the incredible Explorer Space exhibit before flying through the stars in the unforgettable Planetarium experience.
With so much to see and do – thrilling hands-on interactive experiments, huge explosive demos and immersive engineering fun – this is an unbeatable family experience you won’t forget.
Beaulieu – Home to the National Motor Museum
Set in the heart of the beautiful New Forest, you’ll discover the multi-award-winning Beaulieu. There you’ll find the remarkable National Motor Museum, where you’ll see classic cars, F1 racers and Hollywood legends, all under one roof!
Discover the electrifying No Time to Die Exhibition. Bond and movie fans will delight in the franchise’s iconic cars, gadgets and costumes on display before heading down to the adrenaline-pumping World of Top Gear.
Climb aboard the monorail to have a sky view of the whole park. After, wander around the exquisite halls of the mesmerising Palace House, home to Lord Montagu’s family since 1538! Inside you’ll discover the house’s remarkable history and get a unique insight into what life was like for everyone, from the former homeowners to the butlers and footmen.
From exploring the ancient 8,00-year-old monastery to letting your tot’s imaginations run wild in the Little Beaulieu play area, there really is something for everyone at this top-rated attraction.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Perhaps Hampshire’s biggest day out, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, is a real eye-opener. Home to the mysterious and captivating Mary Rose Museum, Nelson’s formidable HMS Victory and the fascinating HMS Warrior – you’ll struggle to see everything at this fantastic celebration of UK maritime history.
History is brought to life at HMS Warrior. Actors embody the former sailors, coal miners and the ship’s lesser-known characters as you climb aboard the decks of the iconic warship.
Kids will love the drama of Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory. As well as walking through the decks, you’ll feel connected to the crew that served aboard the ship.
Make sure you find the exact spot where Nelson met his end after his momentous victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. And, ask all your questions to the expert team of volunteers to get an in-depth look into what life was like aboard the ship.
A particular highlight has to be coming face to face with the haunting hull of Henry VIII’s favourite vessel, the Mary Rose. Clever digital re-imaginings of the working crew and incredible artefacts brought up from the crew’s deep and impressive DNA-led reconstructions make this a truly unique experience.
The Watercross Line, Alresford
There’s nothing quite like riding on a steam train. Also known as the Mid Hants Railway, the whole family can board the train from the enchanting town of Alresford to the market town of Alton.
Thomas the Tank Engine makes regular appearances throughout the year, and the boy wizard himself, Harry Potter, pops up at Halloween! You can even walk over the famous Harry Potter iron bridge featured in the films at King’s Cross station.
Along the way, you can stop at Ropley to visit the train sheds and watch the engineers in action as they restore various carriages and locomotives!
Hampshire needs to be on your radar. With hundreds of fun, eye-opening and interactive places to visit, you won’t struggle to create unforgettable family bonding moments in this abundant county! Where will your next family adventure take you?
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