10 of the Best Places to Visit in Hampshire with Kids

Hampshire is a wonderful part of the country with so much to offer in areas such as Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth, as well as the beautiful New Forest.

With so many wonderful locations if you live close by or perhaps might be visiting the area sometime soon, you may be wondering if there are suitable attractions for children. The answer is yes!

There are some incredible family-friendly places to enjoy, so here are 10 of the best places to visit in Hampshire with kids.



The New Forest Wildlife Park

The New Forest Wildlife Park is a wonderful animal-focused location where you can see different kinds of animals such as otters, red deer, grey wolves and wild boar.

It is an outdoor location and the wooded areas are fascinating themselves so walking around is exciting for the whole family.

They also hold different events in the park, so it is well worth looking online to see if there is anything going on when you plan to visit. 




Milestones Living History Museum 

Milestones Museum is a living museum where you get to see history in action.

There are so many different exhibits that you can explore, giving you the chance to see some of the biggest collections of artefacts and ornaments to enjoy.

There are so many things to do while you are there, and Milestones Museum changes throughout the year.


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Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

If you want to embrace the outdoors and enjoy beautiful gardens and something a little different then heading to Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway could be the answer.

There are often falconry displays, seasonal events, nature walks and oplenty of fun to be had here.

It is a slower-paced day out but it is one that you can enjoy on a warm and sunny day.

Children of all ages will enjoy the surroundings, the things they can do, as well as a chance to jump on the steam railway.




Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

There is plenty to see and do at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with museums and real ships to explore, including Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory.

A general entry ticket includes some attractions around the dockyard, but you can also choose from various additions such as the hands-on fun in Action Stations.

Check the website of Portsmouth Historic Yard which attractions will appeal most to your kids and to find out what else is going on when you plan to visit. 




The Mary Rose Museum

Located within the dockyard but with its own ticketed entry, The Mary Rose Museum houses the iconic Tudor ship, its history and the famous raising from a watery grave in 1982.

The Mary Rose served Henry VIII's fleet for 34 years and is the only ship of its kind to be on display anywhere in the world.

The museum is located at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and you get to see the wreck showcased as well as many items found from the ship wreckage which gives a great insight into what life was like in the Tudor period. 




Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium 

If you have a family member who is keen on science and outer space then head to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium.

It has so many wonderful exhibits to enjoy, many of which are very interactive and fun to participate in. 
They also hold events that you can take part in.

This is another attraction to consider when the weather isn’t so good. 




Paultons Theme Park

Sometimes one of the best things to do with kids is a theme park, and Paultons Theme Park is a great place to visit.

Not only do you have rides for any thrill-seekers in the family, but it is also the home of Peppa Pig World.

Perfect for young children who might want to enjoy some rides appropriate for little ones as well.

You can stay close by as well so it really is worth a visit if you can. 




Manor Farm

In some cases, you can’t beat a trip to the farm.

A chance to enjoy the great outdoors, the animals, and even get up close and personal with some of the best farm animals around.

You can visit this traditional farmyard and spend the whole day enjoying your surroundings as well as the animals. 


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Marwell Zoo

Children love the chance to see different animals, there is a lot of outside space to explore and it can be a more active day out as you do tend to walk around and enjoy your surroundings.

Marwell Zoo is a great place to visit in Hampshire.

It is a 140-acre area filled with 5 adventure playgrounds and over 100 different types of animals. 

Enough to keep the whole family engaged and enjoying their day out.

There are usually special events that take place throughout the year, so make sure you check out the website for more details of what might be happening when you visit. 




Go Ape Itchen 

Finally, if you have any adrenaline-seeking family members then look no further than heading to Go Ape.

You can follow the course through the tree tops and enjoy what is on offer.

There are many different Go Apes but this one in Southampton not only has the Treetop adventure but is also has the tree top challenge and even axe throwing. 




Hopefully, this has given you plenty of inspiration for some of the best places to visit in Hampshire with kids. 




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