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.

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: 160

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Petersfield

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    Town

    Petersfield

    Set in the glorious countryside of the South Downs, Petersfield is an ancient market town originally built as a Norman 'new town' at the end of the 11th Century. It is now a pleasant place for shopping and eating out.

  2. Barton-on-Sea

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    Towns & Villages

    Barton-on-Sea

    Barton-on-Sea boasts superb coastal walks, including the start of the Solent Way which spans the length of Keyhaven Nature Reserve.

  3. Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre

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    Type:

    Event Venue

    Farnborough

    Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre is a must-visit attraction in Hampshire. The venue is host to some of the UK’s largest events and attractions, including the British Motor Show, Homebuilding & Renovating Show, RYA Dinghy &…

  4. Uppark House and Gardens

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    Historic House / Palace

    Petersfield

    A tranquil 17th-century house set within intimate gardens and woodland.

  5. Brockenhurst

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    Towns & Villages

    Located in the heart of the New Forest National Park situated between Lyndhurst and Lymington, Brockenhurst is a bustling village, one of the largest in the area.

  6. Alton

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    Type:

    Rural Destinations

    Alton

    Alton is a lively market town right in the heart of Jane Austen country. The surrounding landscape is picturesque and tranquil – which makes it all the more surprising that Alton was once most famous for the brutal murder of Sweet Fanny Adams in…

  7. Burley

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    Towns & Villages

    Burley

    The picturesque village of Burley lies in the heart of the New Forest. With its pretty thatched cottages, old fashioned shops and cosy tea rooms, the village is a must-see for anyone visiting the area.

  8. Portsmouth Guildhall

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    Type:

    Music Hall

    Portsmouth

    Portsmouth Guildhall is one of the leading entertainment venues on the south coast.

    Host to a world-class programme of music, comedy, dance, drama and family shows and an exciting range of events including Portsmouth Comic Con and Summer Concerts…

  9. Keyhaven

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    Towns & Villages

    Keyhaven

    This small, quiet village overlooks the Solent and has lovely views of Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight. Although there are no shops, there are two sailing clubs and a small pub.

  10. Winchester City Museum

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    Museums & Galleries

    Winchester

    Located in the heart of the historic city of Winchester, City Museum tells the story of England's ancient capital, the seat of Alfred the Great. From its origins as an Iron Age trading centre to Anglo-Saxon glory, the last journey of Jane Austen to…

  11. Lee-on-the-Solent

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    Town

    Gosport

    With panoramic views across The Solent, safe swimming and great watersports, a day on the beach at Lee-on-the-Solent or Stokes Bay will delight all ages. 

  12. Sparsholt

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    Towns & Villages

    Spharsholt

    Sparsholt is a village and civil parish in Hampshire and lies to the west of Winchester, and has a population of 967.

  13. The Malls Shopping Centre

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    Shopping Centre

    Basingstoke

    Located right in the heart of Basingstoke, The Malls is home to Primark and a great selection of well-loved high street brands.

  14. Spa Day at eforea spa, Hilton at Utilita Bowl

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    Spa

    West End

    Escape away for a spa day at the Hilton Southampton Utilita Bowl's eforea spa  - a place like no other, offering the ultimate relaxation experience

  15. Mountbatten Leisure Centre

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    Type:

    Leisure / Swimming Pool

    Portsmouth

    The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is set in an attractive park adjacent to Portsmouth's northern shore. The centre is the city's premier sports facility and has a long reputation for hosting a wide variety of national and international sporting events.

  16. Fleet

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    Towns & Villages

    Fleet is situated in the north-east corner of Hampshire, near the M3 motorway and surrounded by small thriving towns and many parishes of unspoiled villages and pretty hamlets.

  17. 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. 

  18. Hampshire Wardrobe Costume Hire

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    Clothes & Fashion & Jewellery

    Winchester

    Hampshire Wardrobe has a collection of 6000 theatrical costumes for hire, ranging from original, vintage and historical reproductions to high-quality character costumes. 

  19. Gosport Discovery Centre

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    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Gosport

    In Gosport town centre you will find The Discovery Centre, where there is a surprising range of things to see and do, including art exhibitions, events, special activities for children and families.

  20. Basing House

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    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.