Photo: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0Family days out in Hampshire
Pick the kind of day you need and we have a guide for it. Every place below is a listing we have checked against official sources, and each guide links to the full list with prices.
Animal parks, farms and wildlife centres in Hampshire
Zoos, safari parks, farm parks, birds of prey and aquariums.
Photo: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0Butser Ancient Farm
A working farm on the South Downs with historic buildings, open fires and livestock, run as a living museum of ancient farming. Visitors can look around, buy snacks and bring a picnic.
Photo: Lewis Hulbert, CC BY-SA 4.0Hawk Conservancy Trust
A bird of prey conservation centre and wildlife park near Andover, where the Trust's rehabilitation and research work is at the centre of the visit. Visitors can see the birds, the park and the restaurant on a day out.
Photo: J W Parker, CC BY-SA 2.0New Forest Wildlife Park
A wildlife park in New Forest woodland near Ashurst with nearly 200 animals from 29 species, run with a strong focus on conservation. Residents include otters, lynx, a wolverine and wolves, which returned to the park in summer 2026, and visitors can walk among the wallabies.
Family beaches and seaside days out in Hampshire
Beaches, bays and seaside spots that suit families.
Photo: Paul Pollard, CC BY-SA 2.0Lepe Country Park
A Hampshire County Council country park on the Solent shore at the edge of the New Forest, looking across to the Isle of Wight. Beach and meadow walks lead past remains from the D-Day preparations of 1944 and a Cold War observation post, with a play area, cafe and kiosk near the shore.
Photo: Phil Champion, CC BY-SA 2.0Calshot Castle and Calshot Spit
A round artillery fort built by Henry VIII in 1539 to guard the sea passage to Southampton, standing at the tip of Calshot Spit with views across the Solent. Later used against smugglers and as an RAF seaplane base, it is owned by English Heritage and run by the neighbouring Calshot Activities Centre, whose shingle beaches are open to all.
Photo: ITookSomePhotos, CC0Hill Head Beach
A shingle beach on the Solent at the edge of Fareham, with views across to the Isle of Wight and Osborne House. Coastal walks run east to Lee-on-the-Solent and west towards Meon Shore and the Hamble estuary.
Active and adventure days out with kids in Hampshire
Climbing, treetop courses, soft play, karting and escape rooms.
Photo: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0Itchen Valley Country Park
Itchen Valley Country Park is a woodland park on the A27 near West End, with forest trails, play areas and a café. Go Ape runs treetop adventures in the woods, and the park holds family events through the year, including Halloween trails and outdoor Little Explorers sessions.
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Alice Holt Forest
247 hectares of forest with walking, wellbeing and cycle trails, a giant marble run, Gruffalo sculptures and play areas. The Go Ape treetop course is also here.
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Wellington Country Park
A park of more than 350 acres of woodland, lakes and adventure on the Hampshire and Berkshire border, near Riseley. Families can visit the animal farm and the miniature train, with nature trails and play areas.
Museums and history days out for kids in Hampshire
Museums, Roman sites, forts and heritage centres for families.
Photo: Julian Colander, CC BY-SA 3.0Fort Nelson
Fort Nelson is a restored Victorian fortress on Portsdown Hill, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour. Its artillery collection from around the world includes a 15th-century Turkish bombard, a 200-tonne railway howitzer and the Iraqi supergun known as Big Babylon.
Photo: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0Jane Austen's House
The cottage where Jane Austen lived for the last eight years of her life, and where she wrote, revised and had published all six novels. It holds her letters, first editions and the table where she wrote, and has a garden to relax in.
Photo: Stephen McKay, CC BY-SA 2.0Milestones Museum
A museum in Basingstoke Leisure Park with hands-on science and history for families, plus Christmas experiences in the autumn and winter. It is an indoor option for rainy days and school holidays.