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 61 to 80.

  1. Basingstoke Leisure Park

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    Type:

    Leisure & Activity Centres

    Basingstoke

    Whether you are looking to spend the day or a quick time out, Basingstoke Leisure Park is packed with activities to enjoy leisure time on your own or with family and friends. 

  2. Flora Thompson Circular Walk

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    Type:

    Walking

    Liphook

    Flora Thompson, of Lark Rise and Candleford fame, inspired this circular walk on Weavers Down and Holly Hills near Liphook. Flora Thompson came to Liphook in August 1916, when her husband John was appointed postmaster here. In 1926 they bought a…

  3. Gosport Waterfront Trail

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    Type:

    Waymarked Trail

    Jetty Road, Gosport

    Gosport Waterfront Trail, a self guided walk through approximately 3km of historic Gosport. The Trail is paved with brick and stone and set into it is a chain motif which will guide you along the route. To complete the entire walk please allow…

  4. Curtis Museum

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    Museum

    Alton

    The Curtis Museum in Alton is home to one of the finest local history collections in Hampshire, exploring 100 million years of the region’s past.

  5. SS Shieldhall

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    Type:

    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

  6. Ringwood

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Ringwood

    The western gateway to the New Forest National Park, Ringwood is an ideal touring base. This unspoilt market town is situated on the River Avon and has plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes to enjoy.

  7. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

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    Historic Site

    Portsmouth

    Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the UK’s premier destination for exploring 500 years of naval history and a must-see for anyone visiting the South of England.

  8. 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…

  9. Winchester Castle

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    Historic Site

    Winchester

    Winchester Castle includes The Great Hall, The Round Table and Queen Eleanor's Garden - see individual entries for more details.

  10. Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

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    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.

  11. Stansted Park

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    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Stansted Park is home to stunning weddings, forest walks, afternoon teas and some of the best events in the south! Visit the Mansion for a real sense of a bygone era.

  12. Romsey

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    Towns & Villages

    Romsey

    Medieval streets, a Norman Abbey and new heritage centre add to the charm of the Hampshire market town of Romsey in the stunning Test Valley.

  13. 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.

  14. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

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    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Romsey

    The world famous Gardens near Romsey. The Victorian manor house Tea Rooms is nestled in an idyllic setting within the 180 acre Gardens

  15. Fordingbridge

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    Type:

    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.

  16. Quob Park Estate

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    Type:

    Hotel Spa

    Fareham

    Experience the ultimate wine-tasting journey with our advanced Enomatic and Podbar wine-tasting machines.
    At every Quob Park location, our wine-tasting machines provide access to a universe of exquisite wines, with over 150 varietals available to…

  17. Stokes Bay

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    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…

  18. Rockbourne Roman Villa

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    Type:

    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…

  19. Farnborough

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    World-famous for the Farnborough International Air Show, which takes place every two years, Farnborough is a friendly Hampshire town surrounded by peaceful countryside.