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: 162

, currently showing 101 to 120.

  1. Wickham

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    Towns & Villages

    The village of Wickham in the Meon Valley is home to the second largest medieval square in England. The bustling village centre is filled with interesting buildings and a selection of tea rooms, restaurants and independent shops.

  2. Twyford Waterworks

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    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Winchester

    Twyford Waterworks was opened in 1898 to supply water to areas around Southampton and Itchen Valley. Today it is Scheduled Ancient Monument that is open on selected days from May to October for visitors to explore.

  3. Southampton

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    Cities

    Southampton

    The outward-looking city of Southampton is as inclusive as it is diverse with a range of attractions, activities and events to rival anywhere on the coast.

  4. Tudor House and Garden

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    Type:

    Historic Site

    Southampton

    Uncover over 800 years of history in the heart of Southampton’s Old Town. Tudor House and Garden gives visitors an insight in to the lives and times of its residents with informative displays and hands on interactive experiences.

  5. Winchester's Military Museums

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Winchester

    Five splendid military museums on an historic site with Visitor Centre, café displays and activities to interest all the family.

  6. Liss

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    Village

    Liss

    The parish of Liss consists of 3,567 acres of semi-rural countryside, and is one of the largest in East Hampshire.

  7. Jane Austen’s House

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    Type:

    Museum

    Alton

    Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire is the picturesque country cottage where Jane Austen lived. It is the most treasured Austen site in the world. It was here that Jane’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised and had published all her…

  8. 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

  9. Stokes Bay

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    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…

  10. Mountbatten Leisure Centre

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    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.

  11. Viables Craft Centre

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    Type:

    Craft Centre

    Basingstoke

    Located just outside Basingstoke town centre, Viables Craft Centre is home to a variety of small independent businesses housed in charming workshop-style buildings.

  12. City Space at The Arc

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    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.

  13. Bishop's Waltham

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    Towns & Villages

    Bishop’s Waltham is a historic market town with a foot in the South Downs National Park. It was named after the brother of King Stephen, Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester. He founded Bishop’s Waltham Palace here in the 12th century; the…

  14. SeaCity Museum

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    Type:

    Museum

    Southampton

    Based at the heart of Southampton, SeaCity Museum tells the story of the people of the city, their fascinating lives and historic connections with Titanic and the sea. Visit SeaCity Museum and Southampton to discover how they bring maritime history…

  15. Brickworks Lounge and Grill

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    Restaurant

    Fareham

    Welcome to BRICKWORKS Lounge and Grill, where classic flavours meet contemporary style. Inspired by the region’s rich brickwork heritage, our restaurant is a vibrant social hub offering an evolving menu throughout the day.

  16. 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…

  17. Lymington

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Lymington

    The Georgian market town of Lymington is set on the coast in the beautiful New Forest National Park, between Southampton and Bournemouth. Famous for its sailing history, there are two large marinas filled with fishing boats and yachts, as well as…

  18. Whitchurch

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    Towns & Villages

    Situated on the River Test and surrounded by picturesque rolling countryside, Whitchurch is Hampshire’s smallest town; it is also the first Walkers are Welcome town in North Hampshire. Early settlements here date from around 400BC, and there is also…

  19. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

    Type

    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

  20. King John's House & Heritage Centre

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    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Romsey

    Three historic buildings, a tearoom and period garden.