16 or more ideas for fun-packed days

So much to do, so little time! The only answer is to come back more often and discover all this great location has to offer. Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth are all nearby, as is the famous ancient stone circle of Stonehenge. These other ideas should whet your appetite.

Winchester and Winchester Cathedral. Tel: 01962 840500

Explore boutique shops, laze in street cafes and discover the treasures of the ancient capital of England. Visit the magnificent Norman cathedral, burial place of many early English kings and the novelist Jane Austen; marvel at the Arthurian Round Table in the impressive Great hall and see Winchester College, the oldest school in England. Location of the recent film The Da Vinci code.

Ocean Village, Southampton

Southampton’s largest and most prestigious marina, and ‘home’ to many of the Round the World racing yachts and associated events. Take a boat trip up Southampton Water and onwards to River Hamble or the Isle of Wight

Hamble

Hamble is one of the South Coast most famous yachting centres. From here you can take river cruises in to "Howards Way" country or even charter a yacht! (by prior arrangement). The village boasts lots of pubs and restaurants including

several bars located on the river’s many marinas.

Old Bursledon/Swanwick "Howards Way"

Step back in time with a trip to Old Bursledon, made famous by the TV show Howards Way. The Jolly Sailor Pub overlooks the top of the river Hamble and is adjacent to the famous Elephant Boatyard. From there you can enjoy walks from Swanwick down the length of the River Hamble.

Portsmouth and Gunwharf Quays

Home to a designer shopping retail centre, water side bars and restaurants Gunwharf Quays is one of the South Coasts newest and most exciting tourist attractions . At the it’s centre stands the 170m high Spinnaker Tower which offers views for over 20 miles across the Solent and the Isle of Wight from a glass viewing platform. Additionally boat tours and trips take you round the Naval Dockyards, home to the Mary Rose and HMS Victory

Victoria Park, Netley

Here you can enjoy both the tranquillity and charm of extensive green open spaces and woodland walks, as well as an excellent vantage point adjacent to Southampton Water to view world famous cruise liners arrive and depart.. There is historical interest here too – including the old naval and army hospital and visitor centre as well as tea rooms, mini railway and an adventure playground if you are out with kids

Jane Austen's House, Alton, Hampshire. Tel: 0142 083262
The Jane Austen Museum is housed in a charming red-brick seventeenth house, listed in the National Archives as a building of historic interest. It was Jane's last home, where she lived with her mother and sister Cassandra from 1809 until 1817.
Here Jane revised her earlier manuscript novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey, and then wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion.

Marwell Zoo, Winchester. Tel: 01962 777407
Marwell Zoo has one hundred acres of park and is a beautiful setting for some of the World's rarest species! Come and feel the magic of the animals or ride the road train. Over 200 species of animals and birds.

The Watercress Line, Alresford, Hampshire. Tel: 01962 733810
The Watercress Line will transport you back to the 1950s when steam still reigned supreme. We run trains between the beautiful Georgian town of Alresford and Alton where a link is made to the national rail network.
The route takes you along 10 miles of steeply graded track through beautiful Hampshire scenery.
There are many special events throughout the year, such as War on the Line, a Day Out with Thomas and Santa Specials. Kids of all ages will enjoy a family day out on Hampshire's Heritage Railway.

Beaulieu, Hampshire. Tel: 01590 612345
Discover Beaulieu at ground level with a meandering stroll along the Mill Pond walk or from the air on board the high-level monorail. Beaulieu really does have something for everyone. So fasten your seat belt for a great family day out, and prepare to be surprised by the New Motorsport gallery.

Winchester Cathedral, Winchester. Tel: 01962 840500
Discover the treasures of the ancient capital of England. Visit the magnificent Norman cathedral, burial place of many early English kings and the novelist Jane Austen; marvel at the Arthurian Round Table in the impressive Great hall and see Winchester College, the oldest school in England. Location of the recent film The Da Vinci code

Aldershot Military Museum, Aldershot, Hampshire. Tel: 01252 314598
The museum tells the story of the home of the British Army from 1854 to the present day, as well as the local history of Aldershot and Farnborough. From the Victorian Soldier to National Service, the museum uses photographs, models, displays and 'hands on' activities to give an insight into a soldier's domestic and military life.

Breamore House & Museum, Nr Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Tel: 01725 512468
Take yourself back in time and enjoy the country experience by visiting the Elizabethan Breamore House and its surrounding Tudor village. The Manor House was completed in 1583 by the Dodington family, five years prior to the Spanish Armada. It houses a fine collection of paintings, tapestries, porcelain, period furniture crafted from oak, walnut and mahogany, and many other interesting items of historical, national and family interest.

Buckler's Hard Village & Maritime Museum, Buckler's Hard, Hampshire. Tel: 01590 614645
Buckler's Hard is a picturesque 18th century village on the banks of the Beaulieu River in the heart of the New Forest, famed as the place where some of the ships of Nelson's fleet were built. The ship-building village, with its sailing, cottage displays and natural beauty, is a little over two miles from its sister attraction of Beaulieu, where visitors can tour the National Motor Museum as well as Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.

Calshot Castle, Fawley, Southampton. Tel: 023 8089 23023
Calshot Castle was built by Henry VIII in 1539, as part of his chain of defences along the English south coast. At the time invasions were feared from either the French or Spanish navies and the Castle was built on a shingle spit close to the deep water channel at the mouth of Southampton Water. Severely damaged by fire in Elizabeth 1st's reign, its repair required 127 New Forest oak trees. For over 400 years the Castle remained a fully manned artillery base.

City Sightseeing New Forest, Lyndhurst, Hampshire. (Operates end of May to start of September)
The City Sightseeing bus route covers Lyndhurst, Holland's Wood Campsite, Brockenhurst, Lymington (for Isle of Wight ferries), Beaulieu, Exbury Gardens and Denny Wood Campsite. Why not bring your bike as our bus has a bicycle trailer?

Eling Tide Mill, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire. Tel: 023 8086 9575
The Eling Tide Mill is the only working Tide Mill in the world which is still producing flour on a daily basis. At the mill you can see natural tide power harnessed in a centuries old tradition to make stoneground wholemeal flour from English wheat. Founded over 900 years ago on the edge of the New Forest, the present Mill building dates from the 18th century. Abandoned in the 1940s, the Mill took five years to restore and was reopened in 1980 as a working mill/museum combining history, science and technology under one roof.

Hollycombe Steam Collection, Liphook, Hampshire. Tel: 01428 724900
Open on selected dates from April to October, Hollycombe is a unique collection of working steam powered attractions providing fun and entertainment for the whole family. The centre-piece is a complete Edwardian Fairground where you can experience all the fun of the fair from the 1870's; from the gentle "Golden Gallopers" to the first "White Knuckle" rides. The fun continues as you experience our steam railways, and traction engine rides. Other attractions include period farming demonstrations, farm animals, sawmill and spectacular historic woodland gardens including azaleas and rhododendrons which are in bloom during May.

Houghton Lodge Gardens, Stockbridge, Hampshire. Tel: 01264 810502
A haven of peace above the tranquil beauty of the River Test. 12 acres of Grade II* Gardens with fine trees surround 18th century Georgian "Cottage Orne". Chalk Cob walls enclose traditional Kitchen Garden with espaliers, herbs and heated greenhouses, hydroponicum and orchid collection. Gardens both formal and informal. Popular TV/Film location. An additional 14 acres adjoining the garden now provide an experience of the natural world with meadow walks through the peaceful and unspoiled surroundings of the River Test. Open all year except for Christmas and New year,daily, 10am-5pm. Wednesdays by appointment.

Museum of Army Flying, Stockbridge, Hampshire. Tel: 01980 674421
Reflecting over 100 years of Army flying, from man-lifting kites and balloons to the present day, the museum displays a collection of over 35 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The exhibits are portrayed in a series of realistic themed dioramas, including assault glider combat and army flying in the Gulf War. A viewing gallery overlooks the workshop, and views of the busy airfield are also possible.

Staunton Country Park, Havant, Hampshire. Tel: 023 9245 3405
Animal magic, follies, rainforest and the Golden Jubilee Maze await you in Staunton Country Park, Havant. Enjoy the fascinating pleasure gardens created by the 19th century botanist, Sir George Staunton. See the largest restored Victorian glasshouses on the South coast and explore the range of gardens including the devilishly tricky Golden Jubilee maze. Children enjoy the new play area and the Ornamental Farm where they can feed friendly animals. Take the opportunity to discover 1000 acres of parkland and enjoy fishing on the ornamental lake.

Whitchurch Silk Mill, Whitchurch, Hampshire. Tel: 01256 892065
Whitchurch Silk Mill was built on the River Test in Hampshire in 1800, during the reign of King George III. Silk has been woven here since the 1820/1830s. Now a working museum open to the public, the mill produces high quality silks to order for theatrical costume, interior designers and historic houses. Open throughout the year, visitors can watch the working waterwheel, hear the late 19th century looms weaving silk and view the costume exhibition.  The riverside garden is particularly pleasant for coffee and cakes from the exquisite cafe.