Jane Austen House in Chawton, East Hampshire, home of the literary great, writer of Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park

Jane Austen House

East Hampshire

Things To Do in Hampshire

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There are so many top things to do in Hampshire, a county famous for the home of Downton Abbey at Highclere Castle, and the iconic Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.  A county where Bombay Gin is made and where Jane Austen lived, wrote and is now laid to rest.  Visit Hampshire and discover its rich with beautiful countryside, vibrant cities and towns and a diverse coastline providing dramatic views, great walks and places to enjoy tranquillity and nature.  

Hampshire is home to the New Forest National Park, which stretches across 140,000 acres of ancient woodland and unspoilt grassland. It's one of the most beautiful national parks in the UK and home to the famous New Forest ponies, with dozens of walking and cycling trails to explore.  The South Downs National Park lies at the heart of the county, with its rolling green pastures, ancient woodlands and river valleys.  It is the newest of the National Parks, stretching from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east.

Hampshire is a county full of hidden gems and new discoveries, with its clear chalk streams, thatched cottages and cosy pubs, historic buildings, fascinating interactive museums, bustling market towns and three cities.

Portsmouth, the UK's only island city with its rich maritme history, award-winning attractions, historic fortifications and busy year round events calendar.

Southampton, this South coast port city  with links to the infamous Titanic and famous Mayflower. Home to the internationally renowned Boat Show with a large shopping and cultural centre, one of contenders for City of Culture 2025.

Winchester, once the ancient capital city of the UK with its cobbled streets, historic Winchester Cathedral, links with Jane Austen and King Alfred the Great, one of England's smallest cities making it ideal to explore on foot.

East Hampshire includes the famous village of Chawton, home of Jane Austen and her brother Edward, and the ancient market town of Petersfield formally an important coaching stop between Portsmouth and London.

Find out more about the county's towns and villages including Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent, with its 24 miles of waterfront, Basingstoke the largest town in Hampshire and many more using our interactive map of Hampshire.

Things to do in Hampshire this weekend

Many of Hampshire's tourist attractions and points of interest are open all year round making it an ideal location to visit any time of the year.  Find something to do today with activities listings each showing a map and opening times for your convenience. Or why not browse our events guide to find out what's on in Hampshire today or this week.

If you love to events, head to Farnborough International Exhibiton and Conference Centre.  Marvel at the supercars, be wowed by the stunt displays at The British Motor Show Live (15th - 18th August 24) or take in the awesome Farnborough Airshow that returns in 2024 (22nd - 26th July 24) - a definite date for the diary. 

Top 10 things to do in Hampshire

From period dramas such as the hit ITV show Downton Abbey, to action movies including James Bond, Hampshire has set the scene for a wide variety of productions. Take a tour and find out more about some of the county's best known film locations.

For ideas and inspiration on where to stay, what's on and things to do in Hampshire visit the official website, Visit Hampshire.

List of things to do & places to visit for days out in Hampshire

For more information about Hampshire, including ideas for days out, attractions and events, view the list below for information on things to do and towns and villages in Hampshire. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.

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Number of results: 168

, currently showing 141 to 160.

  1. Bursledon

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    Town

    Bursledon

    Bursledon is a village on the River Hamble in Hampshire and is located within the borough of Eastleigh.

  2. Hayling Island Beach

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    Beach

    Hayling Island


    Hayling Island has over 3 miles of beaches along the seafront facing the Solent and many more miles of shore around the Harbours of Langstone and Chichester. The three main beaches of the Island have won both the European Blue Flag and the Keep…

  3. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

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    Type:

    Garden

    Romsey

    Discover the beauty and inspiration at the Gardens, woodlands walks and breath-taking views.

  4. Calshot Outdoor Activity Centre

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    Type:

    Leisure & Activity Centres

    Southampton

    In a prime location on the shores of the Solent, Calshot Activities Centre is one of the largest outdoor adventure centres in Britain 

  5. New Forest Centre

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    Type:

    Museum

    Lyndhurst

    Find out what makes the Forest so special at the New Forest Centre. The Museum is great for families and there's a Gallery, Library, Visitor Information Centre and Gift Shop too!

  6. Whitchurch

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    Towns & Villages

    Situated on the River Test and surrounded by picturesque rolling countryside, Whitchurch is Hampshire’s smallest town; it is also the first Walkers are Welcome town in North Hampshire. Early settlements here date from around 400BC, and there is also…

  7. Fleet

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    Towns & Villages

    With its rural and historic heritage, enchanting villages and open spaces, Fleet and the surrounding villages are ideal to explore throughout the year.

  8. Andover

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    Towns & Villages

    Andover

    Explore the rich heritage of the Hampshire market town of Andover in the Test Valley at the Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age.

  9. Liphook

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    Type:

    Village

    Liphook

    Rural life in Liphook has changed since the arrival of the motor car. Once, carriages carrying royalty passed through the village and the occupants would often stay overnight at the Royal Anchor Hotel.

  10. Southampton Stories

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    Museum

    Southampton

    Southampton Stories is an exhibition inside SeaCity Museum, that tells the stories of the city's rich maritime history, its local history, its people, archaeology, and the events and activities that have impacted the city through time. 

  11. New Forest Activities

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    Type:

    Sports Ground

    Beaulieu

    New Forest Activities is a one-stop shop for booking activities and discovering what there is to do in The New Forest National Park. Based on Beaulieu High Street, the New Forest Activities Booking Centre specialised in providing information about…

  12. Buckler's Hard

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    Type:

    Museum

    New Forest

    A unique 18th Century village where warships for Nelson's Navy were built. Maritime museum, historic 18th Century cottages, riverside walk, SS Persia Exhibition, St Mary's Chapel and optional river cruise.

  13. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

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    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Romsey

    The world famous Gardens near Romsey. The Victorian manor house Tea Rooms is nestled in an idyllic setting within the 180 acre Gardens

  14. Spinnaker Tower

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    Tower

    Portsmouth

    View things differently at the top of Britain’s best viewing tower – the stunning 170 metre tall icon on the South Coast.

  15. Liss

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    Village

    Liss

    The parish of Liss consists of 3,567 acres of semi-rural countryside, and is one of the largest in East Hampshire.

  16. Portchester Castle

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    Castle / Fort

    Portchester

    A Roman-Saxon shore fort with Norman additions. A near-perfect keep and Norman church within the walls.

  17. Wickham

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    Towns & Villages

    The village of Wickham in the Meon Valley is home to the second largest medieval square in England. The bustling village centre is filled with interesting buildings and a selection of tea rooms, restaurants and independent shops.

  18. Harbour Tours

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    Type:

    Trips & Tours

    Portsmouth


    Portsmouth is still the home of the modern Royal Navy and taking the Harbour Tour offers unrivalled views of Britain’s modern frigates, destroyers and helicopter carriers, as well as historic buildings and the dramatic skyline.

  19. Ringwood

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Ringwood

    The western gateway to the New Forest National Park, Ringwood is an ideal touring base. This unspoilt market town is situated on the River Avon and has plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes to enjoy.

  20. Whitchurch Silk Mill

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    Type:

    Water Mill

    WHITCHURCH

    A gem of industrial heritage in beautiful, rural Hampshire, Whitchurch Silk Mill is a 19th century water mill that weaves English silk fabrics using 19th century machinery. The Mill is open to the public and is one of Hampshire's hidden gems.