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: 166

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  1. Winchester City Museum

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    Type:

    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…

  2. City Space at The Arc

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    Type:

    Arts Centre

    Winchester

    A vibrant and versatile gallery space hosting a changing programme of exhibits to celebrate the best of Winchester's thriving arts and heritage scene.

  3. Selborne

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    Towns & Villages

    The attractive village of Selborne is famous for its association with the 18th Century literary naturalist Gilbert White.

  4. 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. 

  5. Hayling Island Beach

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    Type:

    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…

  6. Careys Manor Hotel

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    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Brockenhurst

    Relish the indulgence of an Afternoon Tea in heart of the New Forest, with delicious finger sandwiches, speciality cakes and freshly baked scones smothered in New Forest Jam and thick clotted cream.

  7. Danebury Ring

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    Historic Site

    Stockbridge

    A fine example of an Iron Age hill fort and an excellent vantage point. Many finds shown in Iron Age Museum in Andover.

  8. 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. 

  9. Whitchurch Silk Mill

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    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.

  10. Montagu Arms Hotel

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    Restaurant

    Brockenhurst

    Whether it's a special occasion or you're simply looking for an excuse to get everyone together, The Terrace Restaurant in Beaulieu is the perfect place to celebrate life's great occasions.

  11. Harbour Tours

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    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.

  12. The Brickworks Museum

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    Industrial Archaeology

    Bursledon

    The only remaining steam driven, Victorian brickworks in the country. Now a museum of bricks and brick making.

  13. The Emsworth Business Association

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    Shopping Centre

    Emsworth

    Tucked away in the south east corner of Hampshire on the shore of Chichester Harbour, Emsworth is a quiet and attractive, yet vibrant and dynamic town, where residents wouldn’t live anywhere else and visitors can be sure of a friendly welcome…

  14. Bordon and Whitehill

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    Towns & Villages

    Hampshire's Green Town, Whitehill & Bordon is set in the Woolmer Forest, an area of heathland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ecologically outstanding as a wildlife sanctuary.

  15. 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…

  16. Houghton Lodge & Gardens

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    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Stockbridge

    Idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test with untouched views across the valley and water meadows. After a walk around the glorious gardens enjoying the peaceful Walled Garden with rose arbours and peony walk, visit the quaint Tea…

  17. 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.

  18. Whiteley

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    Towns & Villages

    Whiteley

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

  19. Lepe Country Park

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    Country / Royal Park

    Beaulieu

    Lepe Country Park has something for everyone. The long stretch of shingle beach is popular with kite surfers and wind surfers, families and holidaymakers. From the shoreline you can look across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Watch yachts, ferries…

  20. Manor Farm

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    Type:

    Farm

    Southampton

    Traditional Hampshire farmstead - range of buildings, farm animals, machinery and equipment, pre-1950's farmhouse and 13thC church set for 1900 - living history site.