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: 160

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  1. River Hamble Country Park

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Southampton

    River Hamble Country Park is a place to play, picnic, relax and explore. Have a ramble around our ancient woodland and enjoy seasonal changes - from bluebells in spring to fantastic autumn colours.

  2. Fareham

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    Town

    Fareham

    The market town of Fareham lies halfway between the larger cities of Southampton and Portsmouth.

  3. Buckler's Hard

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    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Brockenhurst

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

  4. Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery

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    Type:

    Museum

    Basingstoke

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

  5. 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. 

  6. Southampton Cruise Port

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    Type:

    Boat

    Southampton

    Discover Southampton Cruise Port, the UK's busiest cruise hub. Offering five impressive passenger cruise terminals. City, Horizon, Ocean, Mayflower & QEII Cruise Terminals. Enhance your next vacation by accessing our free Southampton Cruise Port…

  7. Spinnaker Kitchen and Bar

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    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Portsmouth

    Distinctively situated on the water’s edge and with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows and open layout, the Spinnaker Kitchen and Bar offers the best, uninterrupted views out over Portsmouth Harbour. Outside seating on the terrace puts you even…

  8. 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.

  9. Itchen Valley Country Park

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    Country / Royal Park

    Eastleigh

    Itchen Valley Country Park is set in 440 acres of beautiful water meadows, woodland and meadows situated beside the River Itchen and has been recognised with ten Green Flag Awards®

  10. 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.

  11. 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…

  12. Eastney Engine Houses

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    Type:

    Museum

    Eastney, Southsea

    Visit the impressive Victorian buildings, which showcase the marvels of Victorian engineering. Get up close to some impressive machines – some of which date back to 1887 – and have been restored to their original condition.

  13. Queen Elizabeth Country Park

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Horndean

    With over 2,000 acres of downland and woodland, Queen Elizabeth Country Park is the ideal place to explore, keep fit and enjoy the great outdoors.

  14. Hawk Conservancy Trust

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    Type:

    Animal Collection / Zoo

    Andover

    The Hawk Conservancy Trust is a full day out for the whole family where you can get close to some of the world’s most incredible birds of prey! Come see our brilliant birds at some of the most spectacular flying displays in the UK, changing with the…

  15. South Downs - Hampshire area

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    Towns & Villages

    Information about places to visit, towns and villages within the Hampshire area of the South Downs National Park. Official tourist information

  16. Portsmouth Natural History Museum

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    Museum

    Southsea, Portsmouth

    See the flora and fauna of Portsmouth at Cumberland House - the Natural History Museum.

  17. 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.

  18. New Milton

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    Towns & Villages

    New Milton

    New Milton is a market town in south west Hampshire situated on the edge of the New Forest.

  19. 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.

  20. Butser Ancient Farm

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    Type:

    Farm

    Waterlooville

    Butser Ancient Farm, nestled within the Southdowns National Park, is a wonderful outdoor space showcasing Ancient Britain through experimental archaeology.