How to Spend a Rainy Day in Hampshire 2024
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There is nothing worse as a parent than trying to keep children entertained at home when the weather’s bad. I know that often, we’d stick our coats on, put wellies on and go puddle jumping. If you can’t beat them, join them, after all. But, sometimes you just want somewhere to go and something to do that isn’t dependent on the weather.
So here are some ideas of family fun things to do when it’s raining in Hampshire – if you don’t want to wrap up and go outside to embrace it! There are so many indoor activities to enjoy in Hampshire and a rainy day is the perfect excuse for a family day out.
If you’re just looking for days out in Hampshire, this post may help. Many days out are also suitable for a rainy day with plenty of indoor parts but this post focuses on mainly indoor attractions that are safe from the rain.
Things to do in Hampshire on a rainy day
Libraries in Hampshire
Libraries are a fantastic place to hide from the weather. With so many books and audiobooks for all ages, children will love snuggling in a corner to look at books for a while and you might even find some to borrow and take home too.
You can find your local library here and there are often special events on at local libraries too from storytime to music sessions and so much more too. Libraries are a real hub of the community and somewhere we often find ourselves when it’s raining.
Art Galleries and Museums in Hampshire
Art galleries and museums are great for a mooch around when the weather isn’t at its best. Educational and with so much to see, they’re somewhere we love to spend time. Here are some options in Hampshire – and many have special events on too.
Milestones History Museum – Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 6PG
Milestones Museum is a a living history museum featuring a network of streets that have been recreated to be just like those found in Victorian and 1930s Hampshire.
Read our review of Milestones here
Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson – Portsdown Hill Rd, Portchester, Portsmouth, Fareham, Hampshire PO17 6AN
Fort Nelson is a restored Victorian fortress packed full of artillery from across the world. It features a 15th-century Turkish bombard cannon, a 200-tonne railway howitze and the ‘Big Babylon’ Iraqi supergun.
Army Flying Museum – Kentsboro, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8FB
The Museum tells the story of British Army Flying from the early days of military ballooning to the modern Army Air Corps.
Jane Austen’s House – Winchester Rd, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1SD
This Hampshire cottage was Jane Austen’s home and where she wrote her six novels.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum – Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7ZN
Beaulieu is home to the National Motor Museum, exploring the vast motoring history of the UK, as well as Beaulieu Abbey, Little Beaulieu play area, Palace House and the Secret Army Exhibition.
Read our review of Beaulieu here
The Royal Navy Submarine Museum – Haslar, Jetty Road, Gosport PO12 2AS
Here you can explore the world of submarines! Discover HMS Alliance, the only remaining Second World War era submarine plus Holland I and the X24.
Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum – Trenchard House, 85 Farnborough Rd, Farnborough GU14 6TF
The FAST Museum features a fascinating collection of aircraft, equipment, machinery, photographs, films, reports and books related to Farnborough’s aviation history.
Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower – Priddys Hard, Gosport PO12 4LE
Visit this museum to explore the fascinating, powerful world of naval warfare, uncover the incredible stories of designers, makers, and seaman who worked on armaments over the centuries and see missiles, torpedoes, small arms, cannons, and guns as well as the ammunition that was used inside them.
The Brickworks Museum – Swanwick Ln, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7HB
Visit this fun museum to explore the gritty history of the role of bricks in industrial innovation. There are many special events on throughout the year and so much to see and do.
Aldershot Military Museum – Queen’s Ave, Aldershot GU11 2LG
Housed in the only surviving brick-built barrack blocks left in Aldershot, the museum tells the story of Aldershot Military Town and British military history using vibrant collections within fascinating, original buildings. Explore the site, admire the tanks, take on the assault course and join in with the hands-on activities.
Read our review of Aldershot Military Museum here
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium – Telegraph Way, Winchester SO21 1HZ
Get hands on with science and nature on an interactive family adventure, perfect for children and their families. You’re never too young or old to learn something new and, with so much to discover across two floors of interactive exhibits, there’ll be something to astound, amaze and excite all ages.
Read our review of Winchester Science Centre here
Whitchurch Silk Mill – 28 Winchester St, Whitchurch RG28 7AL
A gem of industrial heritage, Whitchurch Silk Mill is a 19th century water mill that weaves English silk fabrics using 19th century machinery.
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery – St Barbe, New St, Lymington SO41 9BH
Located at the heart of the beautiful, historic coastal market town of Lymington, St Barbe is both a dynamic museum and highly regarded art gallery that appeals to both locals and New Forest visitors.
SeaCity Museum – Havelock Rd, Southampton SO14 7FY
Discover the story of RMS Titanic and how the tragedy affected the city and people of Southampton plus 200,000 years of Southampton’s history, from Roman traders to Saxon settlers, to WWII and the introduction of the docks. The museum is bursting with an exciting collection of models, costumes, artworks, photographs, incredible stories and more.
Tudor House & Garden – Bugle St, Southampton SO14 2AD
Tudor House is Southampton’s most important historic building, and oldest museum, revealing over 800 years of history in one fascinating location at the heart of the Old Town.
You can read about our visit to the Tudor House & Garden here
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ
Uncover secrets long thought lost at sea, the true story of heroes past and present, and get to grips with the ships that made history. Explore the Mary Rose Museum, HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and more.
Read our review of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard here
Southampton City Art Gallery – Civic Centre, Commercial Rd, Southampton SO14 7LY
Explore Southampton City Art Gallery’s diverse collection of fine art, which can tell the story of European art from the Renaissance through to the present day. Regularly rotating displays feature works from the collection, national touring exhibitions and work by local artists.
You can read about our visit to the Southampton City Art Gallery here
Garden Centres in Hampshire
Garden centres are lovely places to spend time and you can always stretch out a visit with a stop in a coffee shop or at soft play if the centre has one. Here are just some of the options around Hampshire.
- Redfields Garden Centre – Redfields Lane, Church Crookham, Fleet GU52 0AB
- Country Market : Garden Centre, Farm Shop & Shopping Village – Malthouse and Osborne Farms, Bordon GU35 0QP
- Garthowen Garden Centre & Treehouse Coffee Shop – Alton Ln, Four Marks, Alton GU34 5AJ
- Hillier Garden Centres – Liss / Winchester / Botley / Braishfield
- Sherfield-on-Loddon Garden Centre & Café – Wildmoor Ln, Sherfield on Loddon, Hook RG27 0HL
- Avenue Nurseries Garden Centre – Avenue Road, Lasham, Alton GU34 5SU
- Conkers – London Rd, Old Basing, Basingstoke RG24 7LJ
- Elm Park Garden Centre, Aldermaston Rd, Pamber End, Basingstoke, Tadley RG26 5QW
- Brambridge Park Garden Centre – Kiln Ln, Brambridge, Colden Common, Eastleigh SO50 6HT
- Mud Island Garden Centre – Southwick Rd, North Boarhunt, Fareham PO17 6JF
- Haskins Garden Centre West End – Gaters Mill, Mansbridge Rd, West End, Southampton SO18 3HW
- Dobbies Garden Centres – Havant / Cadnam
- Rake Garden Centre – London Road, Rake, Petersfield GU33 7JH
- Stewarts Abbey Garden Centre – Mill Ln, Titchfield, Fareham PO15 5RB
Theatres in Hampshire
Going to the theatre is a great activity that the whole family will enjoy whatever the weather. Hampshire has a lot of fantastic theatres to really make the most of so there is always bound to be something you’ll want to see.
- Theatre Royal Winchester – Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8SB
- Princes Hall – Princes Way, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1NX
- Mayflower Theatre – 22-26 Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO15 1GE
- HIADS Station Theatre – Station Rd, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 0EH
- Kings Theatre – 24 Albert Rd, Southsea, Hampshire PO5 2QJ
- New Theatre Royal – 20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2DD
- The Point – Leigh Rd, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9DE
- Ashcroft Arts Centre – Osborn Rd, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 7DX
- West End Centre – 48 Queens Rd, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 3JD
- The Anvil Basingstoke – Churchill Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QR
You can read more about the shows we’ve seen at The Anvil in Basingstoke here
Cinemas in Hampshire
Cinemas are another great way of passing time on a rainy day. With many offering reduced tickets on weekend and school holiday mornings and so many family friendly films to see, there will always be something to suit your family. Here are some cinema options in Hampshire.
Vue – Farnborough – Eastleigh – Basingstoke – Portsmouth
At Vue’s Mini Mornings you can see the best kids and family films from only £2.49 each. Mini Mornings run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am plus every day in the school holidays.
Odeon – Basingstoke – Port Solent – Andover
With special Odeon Kids screenings of the most spellbinding fairy tales and animated films, grown-ups pay kids’ ticket prices, making it a great value day out for the whole family.
Everyman – Winchester
Cineworld – Aldershot – Whiteley
Leisure Centres in Hampshire
Leisure centres are a great place to do something fun in the rain and we have so many around Hampshire with fantastic facilities. No longer are leisure centres just a place to swim or workout, they now often have climbing walls, bowling and even roller skating sessions in them! Here are a few in Hampshire to choose from:
- Frogmore Leisure Centre, Yateley – Swimming – Badminton – Gymnastics
- Basingstoke Aquadrome – Swimming – Adventure Golf
- Charlton lakeside, Andover – Adventure Golf – Boating Lake – Playground
- Whitehill and Bordon Leisure Centre – Swimming – Junior Gym
- Hart Leisure Centre, Fleet – Swimming – Junior Gym – Football – Gymnastics – Badminton – Soft Play – Trampolining
- Alton Sports Centre – Swimming – Football – Basketball – Junior Gym – Climbing – Soft Play – Trampolining – Tennis – Squash
- Taro Leisure Centre, Petersfield – Swimming – Junior Gym – Basketball – Squash – Badminton – Football – Soft Play
- Winchester Sport and Leisure Park – Junior Gym – Basketball – Active Antz – Football – Swimming – Gymnastics – Football – Badminton – Climbing – Trampolining
- Romsey Rapids Sports Complex – Swimming – Soft Play – Crazy Golf
- Horizon Waterlooville Leisure Centre – Gymnastics – Trampolining – Sports – Swimming
- Horizon Havant Leisure Centre – Gymnastics – Trampolining – Sports – Swimming
- Totton health and Leisure, Southampton – Swimming – Junior Gym – Badminton
- Wildern Leisure Centre, Southampton – Swimming
- Knightwood Leisure Centre, Southampton – Junior Gym
- Andover Leisure Centre – Swimming – Soft Play – Gymnastics – Boating Lake – Adventure Golf
- Fareham Leisure Centre – Swimming – Junior Gym – Badminton – Dance – Gymnastics – Football – Climbing
- Holly Hill leisure Centre, Southampton – Junior Gym – Swimming
- Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth – Swimming – Climbing
- Gosport Leisure Centre – Swimming – Junior Gym – Trampolining – Football
- Meadowside Leisure Centre, Fareham – Football – Active Antz – Junior Gym – Badminton – Basketball
- Places Leisure Eastleigh – Swimming – Gymnastics – Soft Play – Trampolining
- Bourne Leisure Centre, Emsworth – Junior Gym – Active Antz – Basketball – Badminton – Football
- Lymington Health and Leisure – Swimming – Junior Gym – Gymnastics
- Tadley Health and Fitness – Swimming
- Ringwood Health and Leisure – Swimming – Junior Gym – Soft Play – Badminton
- New Milton Health and Leisure – Swimming – Junior Gym – Badminton
- BH Live Active Pyramids, Southsea – Climbing – Football – Soft Play – Junior Gym
Trampoline Parks in Hampshire
Trampolining is great fun and perfect for a wet weather day. We have a few trampoline parks in Hampshire as well as the leisure centres above that often have trampolining classes too.
- Flip out Basingstoke
- Flip Out Portsmouth
- Flip Out Southampton
- Injoy Southampton
- Atmosphere Basingstoke
Soft Play and Indoor Play Centres in Hampshire
Soft play and other indoor play centres are fantastic for children and are great for bad weather days too. We have so many great indoor activity hubs in Hampshire from typical soft play centres to role play dressing up experiences.
- Injoy Southampton
- The Adventure Barn at Marwell Resort, Winchester
- Partyman World, Eastleigh
- Kids2day Indoor Soft Play Centre, Eastleigh
- Play Shack, Southampton
- Frankies Fun Factory, Romsey
- Monkey Bizness, Southampton
- Jungle Jeans, Southampton
- Wacky Warehouse Vine Inn, Romsey
- Totcity Roleplay Centre, Andover
- Monkey Bizness Gosport
- Playzone Portsmouth
- Wacky Warehouse at The Sovereigns, Portsmouth
- JR Zone, Newport
- Active Monkeys Play Centre, Fleet
- Ignition Racing Simulators, Farnborough
- 360 Play Farnborough – Read our review here
Pottery Painting in Hampshire
Pottery painting is a fantastic activity for the whole family, especially on a rainy day. Children of all ages will love it and it’s so nice to have something to take away with you afterwards – or pick up a few days later when it’s been fired! Here are some of the Hampshire pottery painting destinations.:
Bowling in Hampshire
Bowling is one of our go-to activities for a rainy day – although we don’t have that many ten pin bowling alleys in Hampshire. Here are the few to choose from.
- Hollywood Bowl Eastleigh
- Hollywood Bowl Southampton
- Hollywood Bowl Basingstoke
- Hollywood Bowl Portsmouth
- Tenpin Southampton
- Riverside Bowl, Andover
- Ryde Superbowl
You can read more about where to go bowling in Hampshire here
Laser Tag in Hampshire
Laser Tag is a great activity for older children – and their parents – even on a rainy day. Here are the indoor laser tag sites across Hampshire:
You can read more about where to play laser tag in Hampshire here
Indoor Sky Diving in Hampshire
Indoor skydiving is a fantastic rainy day activity and iFLY Basingstoke is a great venue to take part. They often have special offers on too.
Arcades in Hampshire
We love playing arcade games and now they are not just something you do at the seaside. High Score Arcades is one of our favourite places and there are now centers in Farnborough and Southampton as well as more in neighbouring counties – Bracknell, Newbury etc.
Read our High Score Arcade review here
Climbing Centres in Hampshire
Climbing is another great family activity perfect for when the weather isn’t great and there are so many centres across the county – plus those included in the leisure centres above. Here are some indoor climbing centres and rock climbing centres for your next rainy day excursion.
- Rock Up, Whiteley
- Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre, Southampton
- Golden Gecko Climbing, Romsey
- QE2 Activity Centre, Burlesdon
- Boulder Shack Climbing Gym, Southampton
- Parthian Climbing Centre, Nursling
- Clip ‘N Climb Portsmouth
You can read more about climbing centres in Hampshire here
Shopping Centres in Hampshire
Shopping centres are a great place to spend time, especially in wet weather. You can wander round the shops, grab some lunch and there are often organised activities and events in to make the most of as well. Here are some around Hampshire:
- Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
- Cascades Shopping Centre, Portsmouth
- Westquay Shopping Centre, Southampton
- Marlands Shopping Centre, Southampton
- Brooks Shopping Centre, Winchester
- Festival Place, Basingstoke
- Whiteley Shopping Centre, Fareham
- Port Solent, Portsmouth
- Westgate Retail and Leisure Park, Aldershot
- The Meads Shopping Centre, Farnborough
- The Meridian Centre, Havant
- Swan Centre, Eastleigh
- Fareham Shopping Centre
- Hart Shopping Centre, Fleet
I hope that’s given you some inspiration when it comes to the next rainy weekend to fill. There’s so much to do in Hampshire but I know it’s easy to focus on the big days out and nice weather activities without giving much thought to the rainy days.
If all else fails, and you still can’t think of things to do in Hampshire this weekend in the rain, wrap up warm and go and splash in puddles before warming up with a hot chocolate afterwards. Failing that, snuggle up at home, play board games and watch movies together. Rainy days are some of our cosiest!
Here’s some more inspiration for wet weather days in Hampshire:
- Where to go Wine Tasting in Hampshire
- The Best Spa Days in Hampshire
- The Best Gin Tasting and Gin Experiences in Hampshire
- Where to go Go Karting in Hampshire
- 4 Options for Bottomless Afternoon Tea in Hampshire
- Where to have Bottomless Brunch in Hampshire
