Children Friendly Attractions
(Estimated driving time from the holiday cottage, The Barn)
Blue Reef Aquarium, Portsmouth (45 minutes) Located on the sea front. Aquariums contain a variety of sea and tropical fish including rays and shark. Shop. Cafe. Combine with a visit to the Historic Dockyards, Spinnaker Tower and shopping outlet at Gunwharf Quays.
Birdworld, Farnham (30 minutes) Extensive grounds contain aviaries of exotic birds. Feed the penguins. Picnic areas. Play areas. Hands-on experience at Jenny Wren Farm - guineapigs, rabbits, chickens, pigs etc.
Longdown Farm, New Forest (1 hour)
Marwell Zoo, Winchester (30 minutes) Well known for its work with conservation of endangered species eg snow leopared. Walk or take the miniature train around extensive grounds to see large number of wild animals eg giraffes, lions, tigers, rhino, zebra. Indoor exhibits. Picnic areas. Play areas. Cafe.
New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park. www.ottersandowls.co.uk
See website for opening times.
NFOOWP, Longdown, Marchwood, Hampshire
Hawk Conservancy, Andover (50 minutes) Well worth the day out! Extensive grounds containing aviaries of owls, falcons, condors, eagles and many other species. Known for its conservation work with endangered birds. Wildflower meadows. Several flying displays throughout the day and hands-on experiences for younger and older visitors. Picnic areas. Cafe. Shop. Not so good if raining!
INTECH www.intech-uk.com
Science Centre & Planetarium, Winchester SO21 1HZ
Hands-on interactive science and technology centre. A great day out for the whole family near Winchester, Hampshire. Combine with a visit to historic city of Winchester.
The Watercress Line www.watercressline.co.uk Alresford/Ropley/Medstead/Alton (10 minutes) Popular steam train experience! Ivor the Engine and Thomas the Tank Engine Special Days, Santa Specials, Victorian Experience Days. Learn to drive an engine or to signal trains in and out of the station. Engine sheds, cafe at Ropley. Ivor the Tank Engine new for 2009! Combine with a visit to the market town of Alton or Alresford.
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth (45 minutes) Panoramic views of city and waterfront. Combine with visit to Blue Reef Aquarium, Historic Dockyards, discount shopping at Gunwharf Quays.
Beaulieu, New Forest (1 hour) Vintage car museum. Picturesque village of Beaulieu.
Milestones Museum, Basingstoke (30 minutes). See website for opening times.
Milestones Museum, Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke. RG22 6PG
Paulton's Park, Romsey (45 minutes) Popular theme park.
Legoland, Windsor (1 hour) Popular theme park.
Longleat House & Safari Park, Wiltshire (1 hour 30 minutes) Ancestral home of the Marquis of Bath. Lions, giraffe, monkeys, sealions amongst others. Maze.
Lulworth Cove, Dorset (1 hour 30 minutes). Popular for walking along the chalk cliffs. Spectacular scenery along the Jurassic Coast popular with geographers, geologists and paleontologists! Durdle Dor. Needles. Fossil hunting. Pebble beach.
Corfe Castle and Studland, Dorset (1 hour 30 minutes) Visit ancient ruins of Corfe Castle. Picturesque village. Combine with visit to interesting landscape and sandy beaches of Studland.
Historic Buildings and Gardens
Avington Park, Avington, Arlesford (15 minutes) Historic house, Avington Park. Picturesque setting. Lovely walks along River Itchen. Combine with visit to Georgian market town of Alresford.
Broadlands, Romsey (45 minutes) Ancestral home of the Mountbattens. Combine with visit to market town of Romsey. Check website for opening details.
Chawton House Library, (15 minutes)
With over four hundred years of history, Chawton House is a fascinating blend of architectural styles and features. Among the many owners to have made their mark is Jane Austen's brother. Guided tours of the library take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:30pm and include a thorough guided tour of the house and library. There are limited places on the tour so it is advisable to book ahead. Visitors can explore the gardens on a self guided tour from Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.
Chawton, Hampshire. GU34 1SJ. Tel: + 44 (0)1420 541 010
Gilbert White's House, Selborne, Alton (15 minutes) House and gardens once belonged to naturalist Gilbert White. Tea rooms. Shop. Selborne is picturesque with lovely walks eg. The Hangers.
Jane Austen's House, Chawton, Alton (10 minutes) House and pretty gardens where Jane Austen once lived. Tea rooms opposite. Base for walking. www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk
Highclere Castle (1 hour) www.highclerecastle.co.uk
The Castle, Grounds, Gardens and Egyptology Exhibition are open May Bank Holiday (25th and 26th), also July to September. Check website for details.
Highcliffe Castle, Dorset (1 hour) www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Check website for opening times and details of exhibitions.
Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 4LE
National Trust, Hinton Ampner, Bramdean (20 minutes) National Trust property, Hinton Ampner. House occasionally open to the public. Lovely gardens. Tea Room.
National Trust, The Vyne, Basingstoke (40 minutes) National Trust property, The Vyne.
National Trust, Uppark, Petersfield (40 minutes) National Trust property, Uppark. Combine with visit to market town of Petersfield.
National Trust, Mottisfont, Romsey (50 minutes) National Trust property, Mottisfont. House and gardens. well known for its Rose Garden. Combine with visit to market town of Romsey.
Stansted Park www.stanstedpark.co.uk
Stansted Park has something to offer the whole family. Rain or shine, there is plenty to do. See website for details.
Stansted Park, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, PO9 6DX
Stratfield Saye House (50 minutes) www.stratfield-saye.co.uk
Stratfield Saye House, once home to the Dukes of Wellington since 1817. The house and gardens now offer an intriguing and informative insight into the life of the Great Duke of Wellington.
West Green House Gardens www.westgreenhousegardens.co.uk
Check website for opening times.
West Green House Gardens, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8JB
Tel 01252 844611
Exbury Gardens, New Forest (1 hour) Extensive grounds and gardens planted by the Rothschilds. Famous for its rhododendrons and azaleas. Tea rooms. Shop. Combine with visit to the New Forest.
Stonehenge, Salisbury (1 hour) World Heritage Site. Combine with visit to Salisbury Cathedral.
Historic Dockyards, Portsmouth (50 minutes) Visit Nelson's Victory and Henry V111th's flagship, the Mary Rose. Combine with visit to Blue Reef Aquarium, the Spinnaker Tower and discount shopping at Gunwharf Quays.
Submarine Museuem, Portsmouth (45 minutes)
Windsor Castle, Windsor (55 minutes)
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (75 minutes)
RHS Gardens Wisley (50 minutes)
Guided Tours
www.hiddenbritaintours.co.uk Personal guided tours of Hampshire in a people
carrier led by Hampshire Ambassador, Phil Howe. Half-day and one-day tours
include a Jane Austen Country Tour covering villages surrounding Steventon
and Chawton, a New Forest Tour, and Hidden Hampshire Tour. These
inspirational tours give additional insight into Hampshire. Booking
essential. +44 (0)1256 814222
Family History
Hampshire Record Office, Sussex Street, Winchester SO23 8TH
Golf
Four Marks (10 minutes)
Alresford (15 minutes)
Winchester Royal Winchester (30 minutes)
Liphook Old Thorns (45 minutes)
Clay Shooting
Medstead www.chalkyhill.co.uk
Fly Fishing
see www.fishhants.co.uk for lots of good info re fly fishing in Hampshire
River Itchen, Avington www.avingtontrout.com (15 minutes)
Meon Springs (30 minutes)
Holbury Lakes (50 minutes)
John O’Gaunt Stockbridge (50 minutes)
Gliding
Lasham www.lasham.org.uk (15 minutes)
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