I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. As school draws to a close at lunchtime, I’m looking forward to a whole summer with them. My favourite people.

They’ve both had a great year at school this year. Troy’s first without his sister by his side and Athena’s first at secondary school. 

They both had great reports, always did their best and have made some really lovely new friends this year. I could not be more proud of them.

Now, let’s go and enjoy the next six weeks before school starts all over again!
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Days Out, Hampshire · July 25, 2020

Our Favourite Days Out in Hampshire

Hampshire is one of our favourite counties and we’re lucky that we live just over the Hampshire border in Surrey. Hampshire is full of green space, home to the New Forest National Park and it has so many fantastic days out for the whole family too.

So here are some of our favourites – I’ve written a separate post about our favourite National Trust sites in Hampshire so I haven’t included those here too.

Table of Contents

  • Animal Attractions
  • Country Parks
  • Historic Buildings
  • Theme Parks
  • Play Centres
  • Museums
  • Everything else

Animal Attractions

Marwell Zoo – Winchester

Marwell Zoo is on the edge of the South Downs and is home to an incredible range of exotic and endangered species. Giraffes, tigers, penguins, cheetahs, rhinos and so much more. It’s such a great place to see such a wide variety of animals.

There are four adventure playgrounds as well as road and rail trains, a tropical house, lemur loop and cafes and picnic areas. They also have so many special events throughout the year like Brickosaurs and Boo at the Zoo. It’s no wonder it’s one of our favourite family attractions in Hampshire.

You can read about our Marwell adventures here:

  • 10 Things to Do at Marwell Zoo
  • Marwell Zoo After Lockdown – Supersized!
  • Marwell Zoo Halloween – Boo at the Zoo
  • Brickosaurs at Marwell Zoo, Hampshire
  • Marwell Zoo Review
Marwell Zoo - Hampshire

Longdown Activity Farm – Southampton

At Longdown Activity Farm there are so many animals to meet – donkeys, alpacas, chicks, Pygmy goats and Kunekune pigs plus bottle-feeding kid goats and calves, the Animal Encounter Barn, and duck feeding. There’s a soft play, a den full of straw to play in and a barn full of trampolines. There’s an outdoor play area, go karts and ride of tractors as well as a new indoor toddler area for younger visitors too.

You can read about our day at Longdown Activity Farm here:

  • A Morning at Longdown Activity Farm
Longdown Activity Park - Hampshire

Manor Park and Country Farm – Southampton

Manor Farm is such a great day out – and so much more than just a farm. It has a Victorian kitchen, schoolroom and traditional farm machinery. It lets visitors take a step back in time and watch the farmer’s wife go about her domestic chores whilst helping to milking the cows and feed the chickens. There are daily meet the animals sessions where you can to hold baby chicks, rabbits and ducklings or even collect eggs.

You can read about our trip to Manor Farm here:

  • Manor Farm and Country Park Review
Manor Farm and Country Park - Southampton, Hampshire

Blue Reef Aquarium – Portsmouth

Blue Reef Aquarium has so many local fish, sharks and rays on display as well as tropical species in a dedicated ocean display plus an underwater viewing tunnel.


Finkley Down Farm – Andover

Finkley Down Farm is such a nice day out. As well as all the typical farm animals you’d expect, there are also llamas, alpacas, meerkats and owls! There’s also indoor and outdoor play areas, crazy golf, trampolines and so much more. It’s a really full day out.

You can read about our day at Finkley Down Farm here:

  • Our First Trip to Finkley Down Farm – Andover, Hampshire

Country Parks

Wellington Country Park – Reading

Wellington Country Park is a fantastic day out for the whole family. With so many adventure playgrounds, a farm and petting zoo, sand and water play areas, a huge lake and forest to explore and a world of dinosaurs too. It’s a really full day out and a great place for a picnic!

You can read about our trips to Wellington Country Park here:

  • Wellington Country Park Review
  • An Autumn Adventure at Wellington Country Park #NoDullDays | AD
  • Wellington Country Park With Kids
Wellington Country Park - Reading

Staunton Country Park – Havant

Another fantastic day out is Staunton Country Park. With a huge country park to explore as well as a farm, gardens, glasshouses and even a soft play centre – it really does have something for everyone.

You can read more about our time at Staunton Country Park here:

  • Staunton Country Park Review Hampshire
Staunton Country Park - Hampshire

Hogmoor Inclosure – Bordon

Hogmoor Inclosure is easily one of our new favourite places. With forest and the great outdoors to explore, trails to follow and accessible routes, it’s the perfect place to spend time outside. But the main attraction is the incredible play area, one of the best we have ever visited!

You can read more about Hogmoor Inclosure here:

  • A Morning at Hogmoor Inclosure – Bordon, Hampshire
A Morning at Hogmoor Inclosure - Bordon, Hampshire

Hampshire is home to so many country parks and we still have so many more to visit – Royal Victoria Country Park, Itchen Valley Country Park and Queen Elizabeth Country Park are high on our list!


Historic Buildings

Hurst Castle – Milford on Sea

Unlike other castles that you can drive up to, park and explore, Hurst Castle is much more of an adventure. The English Heritage property is set on a coastal spit giving a beautiful 1.5 mile walk along shingle from the nearest car park – or you can get a ferry to the castle for a fee. We loved the walk and it really added to the day out with the castle being a fantastic find at the end too! Hurst Castle gives great views out to see and the coast and teachers so much about Henry VIII’s coastal defences. It’s dog friendly too!

You can read about our day at Hurst castle here:

  • A Beautiful Day at Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle - Milford on Sea, Hampshire

Beaulieu Motor Museum – Brockenhurst

There is so much to see and learn at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum from the Beaulieu Abbey ruins to the motor museum which has vehicles all the way back from to the very first bicycles. It’s a must for any transport fan and we always learn so much each time we visit. It’s on the edge of the New Forest making a wander in the surrounding area wonderful too.

You can read more about our Beaulieu adventures here:

  • A Covid Safe Visit to Beaulieu After Lockdown
  • A lovely day at Beaulieu Motor Museum
  • A Family Day at the National Motor Museum Beaulieu Review
A lovely day at Beaulieu Motor Museum

Theme Parks

Paultons Park – Romsey

Paultons Park is one of our favourite days out in Hampshire – and one of the top family attractions in the county too. The theme park is home to Peppa Pig World which the children have loved since they were toddlers but Paultons Park has so much more to offer too. Water play areas, adventure playgrounds and so many rides for all ages.

You can read about our Paultons Park adventures here:

  • A Day at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
  • Peppa Pig World is now even Better!
Paultons Park - Romsey

Play Centres

Rock Up Climbing Centre – Whiteley

Rock Up in Whiteley is a fantastic place to burn some energy and let off steam. With so many different climbing structures to tackle and activities for all ages and abilities, it’s a great day out plus, it’s in one of our favourite towns and surrounded by shops and restaurants making it a great base for so many activities.

You can read more about Rock Up here:

  • Our First Family Climbing Experience – Rock Up Whiteley
Rock Up Climbing Centre - Whiteley

Gymfinity Kids – Farnborough

The children have weekly gymnastics sessions at Gymfinity Kids in Farnborough. Their facilities are fantastic and the children learn so much and feel like they achieve so much during every session too. Gymfinity Kids also offer ad hoc gym sessions, Friday Night Club sessions, holiday camps and so much more!

You can read more about Gymfinity here:

  • Gymfinity Kids Farnborough Review | AD
Gymfinity Kids - Farnborough

Mini Port – Portsmouth

Mini Port was one of the best things we have ever done in Hampshire! It’s a port full of electric boats at Gunwharf Quays where you can hire boats for up to four people and enjoy being the commander of your own vessel. It was so much fun.

You can read more about Mini Port here:

  • Mini Port at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Mini Port - Portsmouth

360 Play – Farnborough

360 Play is our favourite soft play centre in Hampshire. With a huge soft play structure, messy play activities, Lego sections, a carousel and bumper cars it’s a great day out especially when the weather isn’t at it’s best. Indoor play centres don’t get much better than this!

You can read more about 360 Play here:

  • Our first trip to 360 Play in Farnborough
360 Play - Farnborough

Museums

Aldershot Military Museum – Aldershot

Aldershot Military Museum is a great place to learn all about the history of Aldershot military town, the part it played in the arm and i’s links to the history of British aviation and the local pottery industry.

You can read more about Aldershot Military Museum here:

  • Exploring Aldershot Military Museum

Butser Ancient Farm – Petersfield

Butser Ancient Farm is a fantastic archaeological open air museum which features reconstructions of prehistoric, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon buildings. It’s a fantastic day out where the whole family will learn something – and get to participate in an archeological dig too.

You can read more about Butser Ancient Farm here:

  • A Day Out at Butser Ancient Farm
Butser Ancient Farm - Petersfield, Hampshire

Milestones Museum – Basingstoke

Milestones Museum of Living History is a great museum made up of a network of streets that have been recreated just like those found in Victorian and 1930s Hampshire. It’s a great place to learn about the years gone by and when you pay to visit you can return free for a year – and it’s open all year round too.

You can read more about Milestones Museum here:

  • Milestones Living History Museum – Basingstoke, Hampshire
Milestones Museum - Basingstoke, Hampshire

Winchester Science Centre – Winchester

Aside from the Science Museum in London, Winchester Science Centre is the best science attraction we have been to. With so many hands on exhibits, so much to learn and it’s own planetarium it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family.

You can read more about Winchester Science Centre here:

  • Visiting Winchester Science Centre after Lockdown
  • Christmas at Winchester Science Centre {The Ordinary Moments}

Plus, you could extend the day out and visit Winchester. Winchester Cathedral is beautiful and there’s a handy Tourist Information point in Winchester too. We love visiting the Winchester Christmas market over the festive season as well.


Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Portsmouth

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is part of HM Naval Base Portsmouth which contains several historic buildings and ships like the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. It’s a hub of Royal Navy history and a fantastic day out on the coast.

You can read more about the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard here:

  • Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Review
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - Hampshire

Everything else

Spinnaker Tower – Portsmouth

The Emirates Spinnaker Tower is a famous 170-metre landmark observation tower giving incredibly views over the Solent. Visitors can discover the stories and characters that helped make Portsmouth the Great Waterfront City it is today whilst enjoying the view.

You can read more about the Spinnaker Tower here:

  • Spinnaker Tower Toymaker’s Workshop
  • A Family Visit to Emirates Spinnaker Tower
Spinnaker Tower - Portsmouth, Hampshire

The Watercress Line – New Alresford

Any train fan will love a visit to the Watercress Line. You can find out about the trainline’s heritage, see real steam trains in action and attend so many special events across the railway too. The heritage and steam railway is such a lovely day out especially when the sun is shining.

You can read more about the Watercress Line here:

  • A Day Out with Thomas on the Mid Hants Railway – The Watercress Line
  • A Day Out with Thomas
A Day Out with Thomas on the Mid Hants Railway - The Watercress Line

So there you have it – our favourite days out in Hampshire and no doubt we’ll be adding more as the months go by. If you have a favourite day out we’ve missed please do let us know and we’ll make a note to visit as soon as we can.

We already have plans to visit Jane Austen’s House, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and the Hawk Conservancy Trust in the coming months and we’d love to book up some New Forest Activities too – we love the great outdoors and doing outdoor activities when we can.

Our Favourite Days Out in Hampshire

In: Days Out, Hampshire

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