Discover more in Hampshire
Centuries-old mansions, a working watermill and wildlife-rich heathland await you in Hampshire.
Family-friendly places in Hampshire
Discover great places for family days out at our places around Hampshire. Whether you’re popping in for a couple of hours or planning a bigger adventure, you’ll find acres of space and lots of ideas to keep you and the kids entertained, from wild play areas to energetic activity trails. Takeaway snacks and kids’ lunch boxes, picnic benches and buggy-friendly paths will make your visit that much easier.
Autumn and Halloween family days out in Hampshire
We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ Halloween Adventure at Mottisfont
3 October to 1 November: Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Mottisfont with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way. Pick your bunny name, play Halloween hoopla, race your broomstick, and watch out for the warty toads as you cross the stepping stones, before joining the celebration party and collecting your sticker. Ideal for pre-schoolers and young children.
Who’s in Your Book Halloween adventure at The Vyne
3 October to 8 November: Oh no! Monster and his friends have escaped from their books and only you can help return them home! Step into the magical world of author Tom Fletcher’s much-loved characters, on this interactive trail through The Vyne’s gardens. Guide Dragon over the stepping stones, help Witch find her escaped bubble bunnies, and cheer lonely Alian up on its slime trail. Solve playful challenges, then pose with the characters in our giant book cut-out. For ages 2+ years.
Stranger Folk Digital Adventure at The Vyne
3 October to 8 November: As the spirit and human worlds collide, sneaky goblins, cunning beggars and Stranger Folk are slipping through the crack to stir up trouble. Gather your team, harness the elements and seal the rift before the creatures take hold! Download the free Stranger Folk app before your visit, to start your folklore magic adventure. For ages 7-12 yrs.
Halloween fun at Hinton Ampner
17 October to 1 November: Head into the spooky corners of Hinton Ampner’s garden to discover a Halloween adventure packed with games and challenges for the whole family. Race your broomstick and toss eyeballs into the bubbling cauldron, try to land a ring on the shooting star plus plenty more spellbinding challenges. For all ages.
Pumpkin Festival at Hinton Ampner
17 October to 1 November: Over 500 weird and wonderful pumpkins are on display, 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.
Christmas in and around Hampshire
A Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas at Mottisfont
21 November to 3 January: Follow our hero Jack on this festive, pantomime-inspired journey to Giantland, through rooms packed with twinkling decorations, towering Christmas trees and lavish fairytale displays. Discover a huge beanstalk and make your own magic bean, but listen out for a fe-fi-fo-fum! Outside, can you repair the Giant’s torn underpants before he notices, and return the Golden Goose’s stolen eggs to their giant nests?
Meet Pantomime Dame Mama G at Mottisfont
21 & 22 November: Meet award winning Pantomime Dame, Mama G, at Mottisfont for the Christmas opening weekend. Mama G will be mingling with visitors, posing for photos and making sure the much-loved Christmas tradition of panto is front and centre at Mottisfont's Christmas.
Free storytelling and kids crafts at Mottisfont
From 23 November: Storyteller Merry-Go-Round brings magical folk and fairy tales to life with fun performances - free, various dates, booking essential, ages 2-8 yrs. From 30 November: Little ones can get stuck into outdoor crafts like Make a stick reindeer - free, various dates, no need to book, pre-schoolers.
A Christmas Wish at Hinton Ampner
14 November to 3 January (booking essential): Discover the Christmas wishes and stories of much-loved characters including King Arthur and Clara from The Nutcracker, in a house filled with twinkling lights and decorations. Outside, there are lots of games in our Elf Adventures area (for ages 4-6 years), plus post your wish to Father Christmas in the magic North Pole post box and pose for pics on our sleigh or in Father Christmas’s giant boots!
The Twelve Days of Christmas at The Vyne
21 November to 3 January: Handcrafted scenes and glittering decorations bring The Twelve Days of Christmas to life at The Vyne, with swans, uniformed drummers and dancers’ dresses. Play our Christmas Bingo game, then come outside for ten fun-packed activities: leap like a lord over hurdles, help the maids milk a cow and wheelbarrow eggs back to Mother Goose.
A Gingerbread Christmas at Winchester City Mill
19 November to 3 January, Thursday to Sunday, free entry: This atmospheric city mill is brimming with the delights of Christmas, from richly decorated trees with bright bows and copper baubles, to strings of gingerbread characters and green garlands. Don’t forget to pop into our cosy café, for seasonal treats including gingerbread snowmen and hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream.
Top places to play in Hampshire
Mottisfont
With its rushing river and bridges, Mottisfont is our no.1 destination for Pooh Sticks. There’s acres of space for adventure – race across fields, test your limits on the Wild Play climbing apparatus, or play games in the Paddock.
The Vyne
This picturesque country estate has plenty of buggy-friendly routes and space to safely roam. Tiny tots can have fun in The Vyne’s natural play area, whilst older kids hunt for wildlife in the orchard. Check out the bird hide overlooking the wetlands, - and build dens in the wood.
Hinton Ampner
Hinton’s tall hedges and footpaths are perfect for hide and seek. Say hello to the scarecrow in the kitchen garden and go on a bug safari in the wilds of the parkland close to the gardens.
Winchester City Mill
The mill’s family activity book is packed with ideas for things to do at the mill and at home, from wildlife watching to baking shortbread. Watch the otters on the otter cam and look out for the naughty flour thief.
Uppark
Uppark House and Garden, perched high on the South Downs, is one of our top spots for kite flying. There’s lots of space to run and play here. Try our meadow walk, roll down the garden’s little hill, and hunt out the Gothic Seat.
