Looking for things to do in Hampshire this Autumn?
Who cares if it’s dull outside? There’s so much to do in Hampshire that every day will be a real treat no matter what the weather is like.
Here are some great ideas for day trips or just for a fun outing when you’re on holiday in Hampshire!
1. Titchfield Abbey
Founded in 1222 this medieval abbey is a great spot to ghost hunt!
The abbey is open to the public for free and is used to host concerts and festivals and open-air theatre as the ruins are really romantic and the setting quite dramatic. The remains of the abbey and the country house that was built there stand with the nave of the church and the gatehouse ruins in fairly good condition. Bits of the cloisters remain including the library and the entrance to the chapter house.
The fishponds are still used for fishing and large parts of the late medieval tile floors remain along with some of the inscriptions on the walls.
The abbey is open from 10 am to 5 pm and is a lovely place to picnic or just amble and let the kids play around on the grass.
2. Funland, Hayling Island
Funland on Hayling Island is just that, a cornucopia of thrilling rides, crazy golf, log flume and amusements.
It’s situated on the blue flag beach which makes it even more fun as you can go from one to the other if you like. Loop the loop on the Klondike Roller Coaster and beat dad at his own game on the golf course! Ride the Helter Skelter and the Tornado or try ten pin bowling with the parents. Whatever the weather you’ll have a really great day out.
3. Royal Submarine Museum, Gosport
Everything about this museum is quality and adventure! This museum is all about submarines and they take you back in time to Alexander the Great and other ancient heroes who thought about winning wars through underwater approaches! You can even go onboard a WWII submarine and find out what it was like leagues under the sea and in battle. Take a look inside the tiny X-craft, a miniature sub that saw action during D-Day in 1944! The History Galleries allow travelling back to 1620 when the first submersible was tested right up to today’s huge submarines. There are good coffee and cake at the coffee shop overlooking the Portsmouth Harbour and the museum is open from 10 am and an adult costs £12.50 and a child from aged 5, just £9!
4. Blue Reef Aquarium, Portsmouth
Fancy an underwater safari? The award-winning Blue Reef Aquarium is a special place of adventure that children and adults will love.
Where else can you explore the underwater gardens of the Mediterranean and the British coast all in one day? There are over forty exhibitions of underwater life from sharks to tank fish and right in the centre is a massive tank with a walk-through tunnel where you can feel like you’re part of the shoal! You’ll love the poison dart frogs, otters, sharks, seahorses and lobsters and when you’ve had enough there is a great wet play kids area with giant showers and fountains and splash around in. The outdoor areas offer wonderful sea views and there are many feeding demonstrations and exhibitions all year round. When you’re peckish try the cafe on site or pack a picnic and head for the man-made sandy beach with its grassy sundecks and pirate bridge!
5. Go Ape, Eastleigh
If you have a car full of energetic kids then Go Ape is an activity for all of you.
Based in the Itchen Valley Country Park near Eastleigh, this activity will get your hearts racing and the kids will fall asleep early afterwards! Basically, you will be swinging through the trees on high wires and zip wires, up ladders and jumping off platforms high up in the canopy of the forest.
Find your inner Tarzan and get that adrenaline pumping. It is a great day out for all the family. There is a minimum 10-year-old age limit and all under 18’s need to be accompanied by an adult.
They are open from February to November but closed in the depths of Winter! Adults cost £30 and 10 – 17-year-olds £20.