Hampshire

A former Tudor ‘power house’ visited by Henry VIII, a 1930s country retreat and famous rose garden, a Georgian mansion with panoramic views, and an ancient working watermill in the heart of a city. These are yours to discover in Hampshire, together with acres of wildlife-rich downland, crystal-clear chalk streams, and ancient New Forest heaths.

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Mottisfont

Once a medieval priory, today you’ll find a romantic house with 1930s interiors and an art gallery, nestled in beautiful riverside gardens.

The Vyne

Explore a former Tudor powerhouse turned 18th-century family home, set in formal gardens, with walks to woodlands and wildlife-rich wetlands.

Hinton Ampner

An elegant country house with exquisite collections, and picturesque gardens surrounded by an estate that’s perfect for walks.

Winchester City Mill

An ancient working watermill in the heart of the city, with visiting otters, an island garden, and cosy indoor and outdoor café.

Sandham Memorial Chapel

20th-century chapel and garden in a peaceful Hampshire village that houses an unexpected treasure – an epic series of wall paintings by world-famous war artist Sir Stanley Spencer.

New Forest Commons

A colourful mosaic of blooming heather and gorse, braided wetlands and ancient woodland pasture

A horse grazing on Rockford Common, New Forest

Stockbridge Down

Chalk downland with far-reaching views, a variety of wildlife and archaeological features

Orange dahlias in the garden bedding at Hinton Ampner

Gardens and parks in Hampshire

A view of The Vyne's red-bricked house with Georgian sash-windows from the South Drive in autumn.

Houses and buildings in Hampshire

Looking down over downland with fields and wooded scrub in the distance and a fenced Bronze Age burial mound in the foreground

Countryside and woodland in Hampshire

A visitor walking with a dog amid bracken and small trees with a view north from Furze Hill, New Forest Northern Commons, Hampshire, in October.

Walking in Hampshire

Mother with two young children on leaf covered autumn lawn in foreground, Mottisfont in background

Family-friendly places in Hampshire

A light-coloured dog runs towards the camera, with its owners standing behind, with grassy hills and woodland, in the summer, at Bramshaw Commons and Foxbury, Hampshire

Dog-friendly places in Hampshire

A woman in a pink jumper, eating a sandwich, feeds a toddler in a chunky knit cardigan, sitting in a wooden high chair in a café

Places to eat in Hampshire

Volunteers making charcoal at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Volunteering in Hampshire

From dazzling dahlias to apple days and pumpkin displays there are plenty of ways to celebrate autumn in Hampshire

Dahlia displays

Now is the time to enjoy dahlias, and we have some beautiful displays in our Hampshire gardens. The Vyne’s 30m long border in its historic walled garden has over 20 different varieties including visitor favourite, red and yellow dahlia ‘Pooh’. Don’t miss the vibrant dahlia displays that welcome you into Mottisfont’s kitchen garden, and the pops of dahlia colour across the gardens at Hinton Ampner.

Close up of red and white dahlias in flower border at The Vyne, Hampshire, with glasshouse in background

Harvest at Hinton

Apple Days, 20 & 21 September: help us celebrate Apple Day with delicious tastings and expert advice from Sparsholt Agricultural College. Pumpkin displays, 1 October to 2 November: Hinton’s pumpkins are back! Over 200 pumpkins are nestled on benches and shelves, piled into carts and wheelbarrows. Don’t forget to visit the resident scarecrow, presiding over his own pumpkin patch in the kitchen garden.

Display of pumpkins on a cart in front of Hinton Ampner

Heritage Open Days

All our Hampshire places will open for free on selected days between 12 and 21 September, as part of Heritage Open Days. Wander through gardens brimming with autumn produce and colour. Explore houses full of stories and history. Soak up beautiful views on walks through fields and woods. At Mottisfont you can also fill one of their bags for a fiver in the secondhand bookshop. And at Sandham there are World War One poetry readings, mini painting talks and sketching sessions.

Close up of English circular giltwood mirror, c1750 in the Dining Parlour at The Vyne, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Jane Austen events at The Vyne

As 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen, uncover Jane’s links to the family at The Vyne with exhibition Regency Revisited and biweekly tours of the house. On 25 September, following a cream tea, enjoy an interactive and irreverent presentation called 'Layers of Jane' regarding Regency 'underpinnings'. Talk tickets £20. Back by popular demand, on 26 September don't miss solo performance 'Twelve Hours' exploring Austen's (very) short-lived engagement. Tickets £20. In the gardens, find three stunning book benches from much-loved public art trail 'Sitting with Jane'.

A pile of early-edition Jane Austen novels with pale white covers.

Most highly decorative Tudor gallery in Europe safeguarded by conservators

For the first time, you can experience the full glory of The Vyne’s Tudor Oak Gallery, as it may have appeared when King Henry VIII visited. The most highly decorative gallery of its kind in Europe, this 82 foot long space has completed a six month long conservation project. Cleared of portraits and furniture, all 406 of its finely carved herald panels running floor to ceiling can be seen. Find out more about its history and the conservation project to safeguard it, when you visit.

Close up of young female conservator on scaffold tower wearing head torch and black gloves 'injecting' repair treatment with syringe into damaged wood in The Vyne's Tudor Oak Gallery

Wherever you visit us in Hampshire, you’ll find family adventures big and small, from natural play areas to acres of gardens, meadows and woods where kids can safely roam and let off steam.

A Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Adventure at Mottisfont

Until 2 November: step into the magical world of flying car Chitty Bang Bang, with Mottisfont’s exhibition and activities. This story was written by Ian Fleming for his son Caspar and became a famous Disney film. Gallery rooms are filled with the original illustrations by artist John Burningham, plus there’s a life-size Chitty car you can climb into for family photos. Outside, an interactive trail introduces families to games inspired by the book’s characters.

Illustration of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flying through the air

We're Going on a Ghost Hunt ™ Halloween Adventure at The Vyne

11 October to 2 November: based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the bunnies are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around The Vyne, with heaps of exciting things to see and do. Pick your bunny name, play Halloween hoopla, race your broomstick and watch out for the warty toads as you cross the stepping stones. Then join the party and collect your sticker. Ideal for pre-schoolers and young children. Trail free.

Bunnies going on a ghost hunt. Illustration from We're Going on a Ghost Hunt. Text by Martha Mumford. Illustrations by Cherie Zamazing, based on the original characters created by Laura Hughes, copyright © Bloomsbury Publishing 2023

Family cinema at The Vyne

Get the family in the mood for Halloween with two evenings of magical (PG-rated) outdoor cinema at The Vyne. Snuggle up under blankets for spooktacular Hocus Pocus (4 Oct) and family favourite The Nightmare Before Christmas (5 Oct). Hot drinks and snacks available.

Wilma the Witch Halloween Trail at Hinton Ampner

18 October to 2 November: join Wilma the Witch to help her crack this Halloween mystery at Hinton Ampner. Meet mysterious beasts, tackle the bean bag challenge, find clues and solve puzzles. Magic wands and pointy hats welcome! £2 per trail. Recommended for ages 4-7 years.

Young child in a witch's costume with the hat over her head

Agent 11¾ Spy Family Trail at Mottisfont

4 October – 2 November: sign up to the ‘Secret Service’ as you step into the world of spies on this exciting new trail, inspired by Mottisfont’s connection with fictional spy James Bond. Have fun with undercover challenges, from cracking codes to creating disguises. Recommended for ages 6-12 years. Free.

A little girl looking through a magnifying glass

Christmas in and around Hampshire

Filled with sparkle and a spot of magic, our historic houses are the perfect places to get into the true spirit of Christmas. Against a backdrop of glittering Christmas trees and twinkling lights, you’ll discover favourite fairytales and festive pantomimes, from Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast. There’s loads for families to see and do inside and out, plus festive foodie treats and gorgeous gifts.

A rose sits inside a bell jar in front of twinkly lights

Sustainable travel in Hampshire

There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Hampshire, whether you're looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot.

A family walking by water in the springtime at Mottisfont, Hampshire.

Supporter groups in Hampshire

Find out how to join a supporter group near you. There are several supporter groups located throughout Hampshire, and their members have access to a range of benefits including special interest talks, volunteering opportunities, fun social events and organised day trips to properties around the country.