23 Or More Ideas For Fun-Packed Days
So much to do, so little time! The only answer is to come back more often and discover all this great location has to offer. These ideas should whet your appetite.
Legoland, Windsor. Tel: 08705 040404
For a different and exciting day out, head for LEGOLAND®
Windsor. Go wild on the Dino Safari, take a spin on the Dino Dipper
or enrol your family at the Fire Academy for some active fun!
You can also ride the thrilling Jungle Coaster, get behind the
wheel at one of the driving schools, pan for pirate gold, brave the
Pirate Falls log flume or explore Miniland made from millions of
LEGO bricks.
Jane Austen's House, Alton, Hampshire. Tel: 0142 083262
The Jane Austen Museum is housed in a charming red-brick
seventeenth house, listed in the National Archives as a building of
historic interest. It was Jane's last home, where she lived with
her mother and sister Cassandra from 1809 until 1817.
Here Jane revised her earlier manuscript novels Sense and
Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey, and then
wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion.
The Vyne, Basingstoke. Tel: 01256 881337
Built in the early 16th century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's
Lord Chamberlain, the house acquired a classical portico in the mid
17th century and contains a fascinating Tudor Chapel with
renaissance glass, a Palladian staircase and a wealth of old
panelling and fine furniture. The attractive grounds feature
herbaceous borders and a wild garden with lawns, lakes and woodland
walks.
Marwell Zoo, Winchester. Tel: 01962
777407
Marwell Zoo has one hundred acres of park and is a beautiful
setting for some of the World's rarest species! Come and feel the
magic of the animals or ride the road train. Over 200 species of
animals and birds.
The Watercress Line, Alresford, Hampshire.
Tel: 01962 733810
The Watercress Line will transport you back to the 1950s when
steam still reigned supreme. We run trains between the beautiful
Georgian town of Alresford and Alton where a link is made to the
national rail network.
The route takes you along 10 miles of steeply graded track through
beautiful Hampshire scenery.
There are many special events throughout the year, such as War on
the Line, a Day Out with Thomas and Santa Specials. Kids of all
ages will enjoy a family day out on Hampshire's Heritage
Railway.
Beaulieu, Hampshire. Tel: 01590
612345
Discover Beaulieu at ground level with a meandering stroll along
the Mill Pond walk or from the air on board the high-level
monorail. Beaulieu really does have something for everyone. So
fasten your seat belt for a great family day out, and prepare to be
surprised by the New Motorsport gallery.
Milestones, Basingstoke. Tel: 01256
477766
Previous Winner of Best Social and Industrial Museum of the Year
Award
Hampshire's living history museum, brought to life in a stunning
award winning modern building. Milestones where it never rains. See
the cobbled streets or the automobile association's unique
collection of motoring memorabilia.
The Willis Museum, Basingstoke. Tel: 01256
465902
A local working museum with galleries on local archaeology and
natural science, the most recent gallery on social history.
'Basingstoke - the past 200 years' depicts the story of Basingstoke
since the 1850s. Specialist collection - watches and clocks. Coffee
lounge and museum shop. Free admission.
Winchester Cathedral, Winchester. Tel: 01962
840500
Discover the treasures of the ancient capital of England. Visit
the magnificent Norman cathedral, burial place of many early
English kings and the novelist Jane Austen; marvel at the Arthurian
Round Table in the impressive Great hall and see Winchester
College, the oldest school in England.
Thorpe Park, Chertsey, Surrey. Tel: 01932
562633
Thorpe Park has a wide range of attractions and rides spread
through 5 areas; Ranger County, Thorpe Farm, Fantasy Reef, Central
Park and Canada Creek. Each area has its own fast food outlets and
shops.
One of the main attractions is the Pirates 4D ride billed as 'an
experience so new, so intense you’ll never trust your senses
again!'
34 miles from The Hampshire Court.
Aldershot Military Museum, Aldershot, Hampshire. Tel: 01252 314598
The museum tells the story of the home of the British Army from 1854 to the present day, as well as the local history of Aldershot and Farnborough. From the Victorian Soldier to National Service, the museum uses photographs, models, displays and 'hands on' activities to give an insight into a soldier's domestic and military life.
Basing House Ruins, Basingstoke. Tel: 01256 467294
Basing House Ruins were once the country's largest private house, the palace of William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester who was Lord Treasurer of England under three Tudor monarchs. The ruins, which cover about 10 acres, contain Norman earthworks, the remains of Tudor kitchens, cellars, towers, a 300 foot long tunnel, a spectacular barn, Civil War defences designed by Inigo Jones and recently re-created 16/17th century formal garden.
Breamore House & Museum, Nr Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Tel: 01725 512468
Take yourself back in time and enjoy the country experience by visiting the Elizabethan Breamore House and its surrounding Tudor village. The Manor House was completed in 1583 by the Dodington family, five years prior to the Spanish Armada. It houses a fine collection of paintings, tapestries, porcelain, period furniture crafted from oak, walnut and mahogany, and many other interesting items of historical, national and family interest.
Buckler's Hard Village & Maritime Museum, Buckler's Hard, Hampshire. Tel: 01590 614645
Buckler's Hard is a picturesque 18th century village on the banks of the Beaulieu River in the heart of the New Forest, famed as the place where some of the ships of Nelson's fleet were built. The ship-building village, with its sailing, cottage displays and natural beauty, is a little over two miles from its sister attraction of Beaulieu, where visitors can tour the National Motor Museum as well as Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.
Calshot Castle, Fawley, Southampton. Tel: 023 8089 23023
Calshot castle was built by Henry VIII in 1539, as part of his
chain of defences along the English south coast. At the time
invasions were feared from either the French or Spanish navies and
the Castle was built on a shingle spit close to the deep water
channel at the mouth of Southampton Water. Severely damaged by fire
in Elizabeth 1st's reign, its repair required 127 New Forest oak
trees. For over 400 years the Castle remained a fully manned
artillery base.
Chessington World of Adventures,
Chessington, Surrey. Tel: 01372 729560
Just 44 miles from The Hampshire Court, Chessington World of Adventures offers entertainment for all the family at the south's No.1 Theme Park and Animal Attractions. Enjoy spine-tingling rides and awesome attractions, like the white knuckle roller coasters The Vampire and Rattlesnake, the infamous Samurai and the Wet and Wonderful Bubble Works - you can even become an Xtreme Agent in the all new Action Man Training HQ.
City Sightseeing New Forest, Lyndhurst, Hampshire. (Operates end
of May to start of September)
The City Sightseeing bus route covers Lyndhurst, Holland's
Wood Campsite, Brockenhurst, Lymington (for Isle of Wight ferries),
Beaulieu, Exbury Gardens and Denny Wood Campsite. Why not bring
your bike as our bus has a bicycle trailer?
Eling Tide Mill, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire. Tel: 023 8086 9575
The Eling Tide Mill is the only working Tide Mill in the world which is still producing flour on a daily basis. At the mill you can see natural tide power harnessed in a centuries old tradition to make stoneground wholemeal flour from English wheat. Founded over 900 years ago on the edge of the New Forest, the present Mill building dates from the 18th century. Abandoned in the 1940s, the Mill took five years to restore and was reopened in 1980 as a working mill/museum combining history, science and technology under one roof.
Hollycombe Steam Collection, Liphook, Hampshire. Tel: 01428 724900
Open on selected dates from April to October, Hollycombe is a unique collection of working steam powered attractions providing fun and entertainment for the whole family. The centre-piece is a complete Edwardian Fairground where you can experience all the fun of the fair from the 1870's; from the gentle "Golden Gallopers" to the first "White Knuckle" rides. The fun continues as you experience our steam railways, and traction engine rides. Other attractions include period farming demonstrations, farm animals, sawmill and spectacular historic woodland gardens including azaleas and rhododendrons which are in bloom during May.
Houghton Lodge Gardens, Stockbridge, Hampshire. Tel: 01264 810502
A haven of peace above the tranquil beauty of the River Test. 12 acres of Grade II* Gardens with fine trees surround 18th century Georgian “Cottage Orne”. Chalk Cob walls enclose traditional Kitchen Garden with espaliers, herbs and heated greenhouses, hydroponicum and orchid collection. Gardens both formal and informal. Popular TV/Film location. An additional 14 acres adjoining the garden now provide an experience of the natural world with meadow walks through the peaceful and unspoiled surroundings of the River Test. Open all year except for Christmas and New year,daily, 10am-5pm. Wednesdays by appointment.
Museum of Army Flying, Stockbridge, Hampshire. Tel: 01980 674421
Reflecting over 100 years of Army flying, from man-lifting kites and balloons to the present day, the museum displays a collection of over 35 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The exhibits are portrayed in a series of realistic themed dioramas, including assault glider combat and army flying in the Gulf War. A viewing gallery overlooks the workshop, and views of the busy airfield are also possible.
Staunton Country Park, Havant, Hampshire. Tel: 023 9245 3405
Animal magic, follies, rainforest and the Golden Jubilee Maze await you in Staunton Country Park, Havant. Enjoy the fascinating pleasure gardens created by the 19th century botanist, Sir George Staunton. See the largest restored Victorian glasshouses on the South coast and explore the range of gardens including the devilishly tricky Golden Jubilee maze. Children enjoy the new play area and the Ornamental Farm where they can feed friendly animals. Take the opportunity to discover 1000 acres of parkland and enjoy fishing on the ornamental lake.
Whitchurch Silk Mill, Whitchurch, Hampshire. Tel: 01256 892065
Whitchurch Silk Mill was built on the River Test in Hampshire in 1800, during the reign of King George III. Silk has been woven here since the 1820/1830s. Now a working museum open to the public, the mill produces high quality silks to order for theatrical costume, interior designers and historic houses. Open throughout the year, visitors can watch the working waterwheel, hear the late 19th century looms weaving silk and view the costume exhibition. The riverside garden is particularly pleasant for coffee and cakes from the exquisite cafe.

