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: 163

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  1. Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre

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    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 &…

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Petersfield

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    Town

    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.

  5. Alton

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    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…

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. O2 Guildhall Southampton

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    Venue Provider

    Southampton

    O2 Guildhall Southampton is the South's largest multipurpose entertainment venue. Hosting some of the biggest names in music from Pink Floyd & David Bowie in the 70's to present day bands such as Hard Fi, Manic Street Preachers and The Killers. With…

  9. 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.

  10. Bishops Waltham Palace

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    Historic Site

    Winchester

    Remains of Bishop of Winchester`s palace are mainly 12th and 14thC consisting of buildings around a courtyard and moat. Remains include the Great Hall and 3-storey tower.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Buckler's Hard

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    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Brockenhurst

    Buckler’s Hard is a place for relaxation as well as exploration.

  14. Hayling Island

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    Towns & Villages

    South Front, Hayling Island

    Hayling Island is an island east of Portsmouth in Hampshire with plenty of things to do, seaside fun & blue flag beaches, all in a peaceful environment

  15. Southampton

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    Cities

    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. Rockbourne Roman Villa

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    Historic Site

    Fordingbridge

    Situated in picturesque and peaceful south west Hampshire, Rockbourne Roman Villa is the largest known Roman villa in the area. The villa once stood in the centre of a large farming estate, and its history spans the period from the Iron Age to the…

  17. Edward Thomas circular walk

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    Walking Tour

    Steep near Petersfield

    A 4 mile circular walk with stunning views of the South Downs

  18. SS Shieldhall

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    Boat Trip

    Southampton

    Shieldhall was laid down in October 1954 and entered service in October 1955. Built by Lobnitz & Co of Renfrew, she is of special interest as she was built on older classic lines with a traditional wheelhouse, of riveted and welded construction with

  19. 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.

  20. Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery

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    Museum

    Basingstoke

    Discover Basingstoke and Deane’s past, from the rich archaeological heritage beneath our feet right up to the modern day.