Discover the best things to do with kids in Hampshire
Hampshire is a popular county in southern England that’s home to Winchester, the former capital of the country. In addition to this legendary city, the county is home to a wide variety of thrilling things to do that the whole family can enjoy. Whether you take your holiday indoors or outdoors, you’ll find plenty of fun. You may even want to spend some time in both the city and the countryside. Whatever you decide, you’ll find that it’s easier than ever to create an unforgettable experience for your family. Take a look at the best things to do with kids in Hampshire.
Hampshire things to do with kids in Winchester
The city of Winchester is an ancient settlement that played a major role in the country’s history. When your family visits, you can explore an extensive array of historical sites, but that’s just the beginning. Considering the sheer number of things to do here, you can spend a few days in the city during your trip to Hampshire and only scratch the surface of everything it has to offer. Learn about the best things to do in Winchester with your family.
1. Winchester Science Centre
At the Winchester Science Centre, you’ll find plenty for your little ones to enjoy, as it hosts more than 100 hands-on displays that are engaging and interactive. That’s just the beginning, as the science centre also features a planetarium and live science shows. A few of the exhibits here tend to stand out. The 10-metre guitar, for example, lets kids experience how this popular instrument creates sound. Additionally, you’ll find a quiz trail within that’s themed around a humpback whale alongside an exhibit about climate change.
2. Winchester City Museum
There’s no better place in town to learn about the rich history of Winchester than the Winchester City Museum. Here you’ll find more than 1,000 years of artefacts and history dating back to when the city was founded by the Romans as Venta Belgarum. The exhibits take you from the time of the Anglo-Saxons to the Normans and finally to the Victorian era. While the Roman mosaics can certainly be impressive, there’s nothing quite like the model of the city on display that shows how it appeared during the Victorian era. Plenty of interactive screens are set up throughout, which are particularly useful for kids.
3. Winchester Cathedral
One of the most iconic spots in the entire city is Winchester Cathedral. Packed full of fascinating history, the cathedral holds decorated mortuary tombs that hold the bones of early kings alongside a mosaic west window that was rebuilt after a diver found the pieces among the foundation. Around the cathedral, you’ll find immaculately well-maintained grounds along with fascinating tombstones that have an odd number of details about the deceased carved in. Several walking trails are present around the cathedral as well if you’re looking for a more active experience.
4. The Great Hall
Formerly an entire castle, The Great Hall is the last remaining structure from a 13th-century Winchester masterpiece. When you and your family visit this legendary location, you can see the round table stand out among everything else. While not the same one from the mythological stories of King Arthur, it does date back several centuries and provides a link between Winchester and Camelot as it displays the names of Arthur’s iconic knights. You can also see portraits of prominent figures throughout the Long Gallery. Additionally, Queen Eleanor’s garden is populated by plants that were popular in the 13th century.
5. Westgate Museum
The Westgate Museum showcases the last of the city’s main medieval gates that are still standing. While the building was once a debtor’s prison, it has since been transformed into a museum with fascinating and interactive exhibits. Additionally, your kids can participate in several fun activities like dressing up in a replica coat of armour and exploring the surrounding trails. Consider getting a ticket for this along with a ticket for the Winchester City Museum, as they often offer discounts for bundled purchases.
Explore days out with the kids in Hampshire outdoors
The Hampshire countryside is breathtaking, and your family can find plenty to do during sunny days that let you enjoy the outdoors. You’ll find several exciting activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy along with natural features and breathtaking views you’ll want to see for yourself. Whether you want to push yourself with an adventure or simply relax, the outdoors in Hampshire has plenty to offer. Check out the best outdoor activities for days out with the kids in Hampshire.
6. Marwell Zoo
Marwell Zoo is home to a wide range of species with more than 100 animals spread out through the park’s areas. It’s more than 55 hectares in size, so you’ll find plenty of space to explore. Among the animals here, you and your little ones can see tigers, penguins and towering giraffes. Live animal feedings are held daily, and you can explore 5 adventure playgrounds specifically designed with kids in mind. It’s important to note that this zoo functions as a charity, so your visit contributes to funding the conservation of global biodiversity and the pursuit of a sustainable future.
7. Clarence Pier Southsea
Around the Portsmouth area you’ll find the Clarence Pier Southsea amusement park, which offers rides, arcades and activities the whole family can enjoy. The rides here are what you may expect from a funfair, as it includes coasters, log flume rides, bumper cars and speciality rides that don’t quite fit into any general mould. Among the arcades, you’ll find plenty of fun games including the latest video games and simulators. The classic toy-grabber machines are a popular option as well, with every success including a prize to take home.
8. Go Ape
At Go Ape, you’ll find a one-stop shop for all the outdoor adventure your family needs. This facility has set up obstacles, bridges and ropes among the treetops in Southampton that let you and your little ones test their might and find fun exploring nature metres up from the ground. Several different difficulty levels are available, so even your young kids can find fun here. Throughout the experience, every participant is securely strapped to a safety harness, so there’s never any danger of falling if you happen to lose your balance.
9. New Forest Wildlife Park
If your family is interested in seeing some fascinating animals, you won’t have to look further than New Forest Wildlife Park. Here you can see stunning species like wildcats, wolves and bison all set within their natural habitats. There’s a huge array of mammals and birds here within the grounds, and your kids can also enjoy a miniature adventure playground. Don’t forget to check their calendar for feeding times if you really want to see the animals here in action. A map of the zoo is also available on their website, so it’s easy to navigate this large habitat area.
10. Lymington Sea Water Baths
Does your family have what it takes to conquer an obstacle course on the water? At Lymington Sea Water Baths, you can find out. This 200-metre course is composed of inflatable obstacles that you can try to traverse, but that’s just the beginning. You’ll also find paddleboards and aqua jousting among other games available, though you can opt for a standard swimming experience as well. This is the perfect summer destination if you’re looking for fun in the sun. While it’s closed during the winter, visitors are generally welcomed back in April.
11. Funland Amusement Park
On Hayling Island, you can visit the Funland Amusement Park to find thrills that the whole family can enjoy. The rides here are quite varied, though they all tend to cater to kids. You won’t find any adrenaline-pumping high-speed coasters, but the mine train roller coaster can still be plenty of fun. Some of the coasters and rides may still be too much for young children, but they have their own special section called Kidz Kingdom to play in. Don’t forget to check out the mini-golf here as well as the arcade and carnival games that offer some serious prizes.
12. Longdown Activity Farm
At the Longdown Activity Farm, you and your family can learn just how fun a farm visit can be. Not only will your little ones be able to interact with and pet friendly farm animals, but they can also learn a bit about how a farm is run. Bottle feeding is a popular activity, as kids are guided by professional farmers, but that’s just the beginning. You can also see more unique animals like fluffy alpacas. You’ll find young animals here as well along with the opportunity to hold a baby chick in your hands.
13. Finkley Down Farm
Finkley Down Farm is an incredible destination for families with fun that everyone can enjoy. You’ll find animals here, of course, but in addition to the standard farm animals, you’ll also find a tortoise, several birds and otters. This facility is also home to 5 unique play centres with fun activities like trampolines, mini-golf, tractor rides and even zip lines. Your visit can also be educational, as there are classes available that can teach your little ones about the resident animals and how to properly care for them on a farm.
Explore things to do indoors with kids in Hampshire
While the Hampshire countryside can be downright breathtaking, visiting it isn’t always an option. Inclement weather can affect even the best-planned holiday trips, but it doesn’t have to get in the way of your fun. You can also explore a wide variety of indoor attractions that can keep your family both entertained and dry. These attractions tend to include fun games and fascinating museums. Take a look at some of the best indoor things to do with kids in Hampshire.
14. Calshot Activities Centre
At Calshot Activities Centre, you’ll find a wide variety of different things to do inside that offer plenty of fun adventure. The slope is a particularly popular option, as you and your family can enjoy skiing no matter what time of year you visit. The slope is suitable for beginners, so your kids don’t have to sit this one out if they’ve never been skiing before. You’ll also find several climbing walls as well as a fun cycling track. This facility even has its own archery centre where you and your kids can test your skills with a bow and arrow on a controlled range.
15. Blue Reef Aquarium
At Blue Reef Aquarium, you and your family can be transported to an underwater world populated by fascinating creatures to explore. You’ll find clownfish and other colourful creatures in addition to ferocious sharks and bioluminescent jellyfish. While much of the aquarium focuses on life found in local British waters, you’ll be able to spot more exotic creatures as well. Be sure to check their website to see when the scheduled feeding times are so you don’t miss out on this activity. Additionally, you’ll find special presentations here where your kids can learn more about marine biology from the experts.
16. Boulder Shack Climbing
If your family is interested in climbing challenges, there’s nothing quite like Boulder Shack Climbing. Not only will you find challenging climbing walls inside this indoor facility, but it also includes junior climbing walls. This means your little ones can learn how to climb properly even if they have no prior experience, as talented instructors are happy to show them the ropes. If you want to venture outside to climb on real rocks, you can as long as the weather cooperates.
17. iFLY Indoor Skydiving
Skydiving is either something you really want to do or something you never want to do. Jumping out of a plane is a pretty bold move for anyone, but iFLY Indoor Skydiving makes it accessible to everyone. When you visit this facility, you can experience the sensation of skydiving without having to hurl yourself out of a plane. Instead, you’ll be in an indoor vertical wind tunnel with an instructor by your side never more than a few metres off the ground. Kids are free to participate as well, and you can opt for the virtual reality experience that lets you experience the sensation of skydiving while jumping out of a virtual plane.
18. Flip Out
At Flip Out, you’ll find a fun activity centre for kids that’s perfect for little ones who love to run around. You’ll find a variety of fun equipment here including foam pits and obstacle courses they can try to conquer. Parkour sections here are especially popular. Keep in mind, however, that most of this facility is catered towards older kids and teens who are capable of taking on the big jumps and climbs, though there are also special children’s sessions you can opt for. You just need to make sure you’re attending the right session at the right time, so check their calendar before your visit.
19. TeamSport
If your family is looking to enjoy some fun at high speeds, TeamSport offers thrilling indoor go-karting. The entire track is indoors and stretches for a full 800 metres in total. The go-karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph, so you and your family can enjoy plenty of adrenaline-pumping fun. Keep in mind, however, that kids have to be at least 8 years of age to participate here. Drivers will also be provided with helmets to ensure everyone’s safety throughout the race. Additionally, the ticket cost here is based on the length of your race rather than the ages of people participating, so keep that in mind when organizing your budget.
20. Jane Austen’s House Museum
At Jane Austen’s House Museum, you and your family can explore the house where Jane Austen, one of the most celebrated writers in English history, once lived. Inside, you can find a wide collection of treasures including her books and letters along with clothing, paintings and furniture. You can even see the table she used for writing. Additionally, the surrounding parkland is quite lovely and incredibly well-maintained, making this an ideal destination for a summer holiday in Hampshire.
21. National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum within the Beaulieu Estate is a fascinating destination for families who are interested in the history of motor vehicles. You’ll be able to see a wide variety of cars on display with some dating back more than a century to the earliest days of automobiles. You can also see some of the fastest cars ever designed including Formula 1 cars that changed the way people approached auto races. Plus, this is a great opportunity for your little ones to learn how vehicles work with exhibits highlighting the science and physics behind engines, gears and suspension systems.