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.

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: 161

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  1. The Arc

    Type

    Type:

    Venue Provider

    WINCHESTER

    The brand-new place to experience live performance, library and community services, art, classes and talks, all together, under one roof in the heart of Winchester.

  2. Stockbridge

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    Towns & Villages

    With its pretty high street, independent shops and tempting tea rooms, pubs and restaurants, the small Hampshire town of Stockbridge is a hidden treasure.

  3. Portsmouth International Port

    Type

    Type:

    Boat

    Portsmouth

    Portsmouth International Port is perfectly positioned for ferries, cruise and cargo.

  4. Whiteley

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Whiteley

    Whiteley is a community in the county of Hampshire near Fareham.

  5. Basing House

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Basing, Basingstoke

    Discover the many stories of Basing House, a nationally important historical site. This magnificent attraction dates from the Norman period and was the site of the largest private house in Tudor England.

  6. Emsworth

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Emsworth

    Emsworth, with its narrow streets, Georgian houses and walled gardens, is a picturesque fishing village popular with sailors, artists, naturalists and walkers.

  7. Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museums & Galleries

    Portsmouth

    Pay a visit to the small, terraced house where, in 1812, the famous novelist Charles Dickens was born. The home in which he lived for a short time has been lovingly restored and furnished to illustrate middle-class tastes of Dickens' era.

  8. Twyford Waterworks

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Winchester

  9. The D-Day Story

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    Museum

    Portsmouth

    The D-Day Story is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Allied Invasion in June 1944. It tells the unique personal stories behind this epic event. Also, home to the new fully restored only surviving D-Day Landing Craft LCT 7074, which is…

  10. Hambledon

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    Village

    Hambledon

    Hambledon is a small village and civil parish in the county of Hampshire, situated about 15 miles north of Portsmouth.

  11. 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.

  12. The New Theatre Royal

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    Type:

    Theatre

    Portsmouth

    The New Theatre Royal in the heart of Portsmouth is an iconic Victorian building and one of the remaining few Phipps / Matcham theatres in the world.

  13. Aldershot

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Princes Way, Aldershot

    Known as The Home of the British Army, Aldershot has been one of the most important military towns in the UK since 1854.

  14. Wightlink Ferries

    Type

    Type:

    Boat

    Portsmouth

    Wightlink is the largest ferry operator to the Isle of Wight, operating round the clock, 365 days a year, and offering a choice of three routes across the Solent.

    Car ferries operate between Portsmouth and Fishbourne on the east of the Island.…

  15. Eastney Engine Houses

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    Type:

    Museum

    Eastney, Southsea

    Visit the impressive Victorian buildings, which showcase the marvels of Victorian engineering. Get up close to some impressive machines – some of which date back to 1887 – and have been restored to their original condition.

  16. Royal Victoria Country Park

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Southampton

    Once the site of one of the largest Victorian military hospitals, view images & information about Royal Victoria Country Park, set in 200-acres of parkland

  17. East Hampshire

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    Towns & Villages

    East Hampshire is a district located between the South Coast and London. It includes the towns of Alton, Petersfield and Whitehill and Bordon, and covers a total area of 514 sq km. It is predominately a rural area.

  18. Stokes Bay

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Gosport

    Next door to Lee-on-the-Solent town and beach is Stokes Bay beach and seafront which was voted one of the 10 best places for a picnic in the UK.  You'll find an adventure golf course, kayak & paddleboard hire, children’s splash park, and plenty of…

  19. Bombay Sapphire

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    Type:

    Distillery

    Whitchurch

    Based at Laverstoke Mill in rural North Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history.

  20. Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age

    Type

    Type:

    Museums & Galleries

    Andover

    Housed in a Georgian town house built in the 1750s, Andover Museum tells the story of the town and its surrounding area from prehistoric times to the present day.