Built to connect Basingstoke to the River Thames, 32 miles, from Greywell Village in Hampshire to Woodham in Surrey

Basingstoke Canal near Pirbright

Basingstoke, 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

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  1. Beaulieu, Home of the National Motor Museum

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    Museum

    Beaulieu

    Come to Beaulieu in the heart of the New Forest and discover the many delights that one of the UK’s leading Tourist Attractions has to offer.

  2. Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

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    Museum

    Portsmouth

    Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is the museum of and for the people of Portsmouth, featuring exciting and varied displays.

  3. Milford-on-Sea

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    Towns & Villages

    Milford-on-Sea

    Situated on the south coast with stunning views across the Isle of Wight and the Needles, Milford on Sea has an extensive beachfront that is enjoyed by water sport enthusiasts, walkers, beach lovers and swimmers. 

  4. Buckler's Hard

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    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.

  5. Southampton Stories

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    Type:

    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. 

  6. Alver Valley Country Park

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    Country / Royal Park

    Lee-on-the-Solent

    The Alver Valley is Gosport's wildlife haven, and there's always something to see and do throughout the through the changing seasons. It’s a great place to go for a walk, with plenty of routes and different landscapes. 

  7. Mayflower Theatre

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    Theatre

    Southampton

    The largest Theatre in the south, The Mayflower offers spectacular touring musicals - many direct from the West End - plus opera, ballet and comedy.

  8. Romsey Abbey

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    Abbey / Priory

    Romsey

    Romsey Abbey is situated in the centre of Romsey and is the largest Parish Church in Hampshire. It’s home to a number of treasures, open daily and fully accessible. You will receive a warm welcome from the Abbey Stewards. Self-guiding leaflets and…

  9. 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.

  10. South Downs

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    Towns & Villages

    Escape to the South Downs and become revitalised in this peaceful and relaxing part of Hampshire. Hampshire’s South Downs has quite a different feel from the rest of the new National Park. With its steep wooded hills and hidden valleys of watercress…

  11. The New Forest Wildlife Park

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    Animal Collection / Zoo

    Ashurst, Lyndhurst

    Make friends with the sika and fallow deer who follow you around or marvel at the watchful wolves or the cheeky otters. Enjoy the amazing Go Wild! adventure playgrounds as well as the other wonderful wildlife.

  12. See Southampton

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    Walking

    Southampton

    See Southampton offer walking tours which begin from the lions by the Bargate, in the centre of the High Street, every Saturday and Sunday.

  13. Portsmouth

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    Cities

    Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth

    With a rich maritime and naval history, Portsmouth's fortunes have long been intimately tied to the sea. Even today, many of Portsmouth's most stunning features and most popular attractions are found near the harbour.

  14. 878 AD

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    History and Heritage

    Winchester

    Step into Anglo-Saxon Winchester!

    Experience the sights and sounds of Anglo-Saxon Winchester and discover the stories of the people who lived there, brought to life with the spectacular world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Discovery Tour: Viking…

  15. Southampton

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    Towns & Villages

    Civic Centre, Southampton

    A short break in Southampton, Hampshire means time for serious shopping in the West Quay Shopping Centre, a look at classic art in the Southampton City Art Gallery or seeing a show at the Mayflower Theatre.

  16. Fordingbridge

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    Towns & Villages

    Fordingbridge

    Situated on the edge of the New Forest, Fordingbridge is a small country town situated on the banks of the River Avon. Fordingbridge is famous for The Great Bridge with its seven graceful arches spanning the river.

  17. Hospital of St Cross

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    Historic House / Palace

    Winchester

    Medieval almshouses, church, ambulatory, Brethren's Hall and kitchen, Master's garden.

  18. Longdown Activity Farm

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    Wildlife

    Southampton

    There’s farming fun for everyone at Longdown Activity Farm with a fabulous daily schedule of animal activities including bottle-feeding kid goats and calves, as well as the Animal Encounter Barn. There are so many exciting play areas too, including…

  19. Royal Victoria Country Park

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    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

  20. Aldershot Military Museum

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    Museums & Galleries

    Aldershot

    Housed in the only surviving brick-built barrack blocks left in Aldershot, Aldershot Military Museum tells the story of daily life for both soldier and civilian in the town since 1854.