Great days out in Hampshire this summer
Make the most of those precious summer days and enjoy nature at its peak with these great activities!
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Jul 13 2022
Staunton Farm and Country Park
Just off of the A3 near Havant lies Staunton Farm and Staunton Country Park, a historical estate with Regency landscapes and Gothic architecture. With lots to do for all ages, you’re sure to make some happy memories at Staunton. You can explore the Victorian glasshouse and gardens, get lost in the maze, or even feed the animals! The indoor and outdoor play areas and fresh tasty food in the Farmhouse Café mean you can have a great day out with your family no matter the weather.
If a relaxing wander is more your style, Staunton Country Park is a great place to get some fresh air along the winding trails, relax in the sun, or enjoy an afternoon tea in the Regency Tea Room.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Part of the South Downs National Park, Queen Elizabeth Country Park is an expanse of thick woodland and rolling hills perfect for a day out in the outdoors. The park is a cyclist’s haven with trails for all abilities and bike rental available on site. There’s a challenging assault course to get your blood pumping, and you can even get your four legged family members involved in the activity course for dogs. When you’re ready for a rest, the Beechwood Kitchen, reservable BBQ spaces, and DIY pizza oven mean you won’t go hungry.
Royal Victoria Country Park
Spanning 200 acres of woodland, grassy fields, and shoreline, the country park takes its name from the Royal Victoria Hospital that once stood at the heart of the park. The historic chapel of the hospital still stands and is used today as our visitor centre including a fascinating exhibition on the history of the park. Take one of our guided tours up the tower of the chapel to see for miles across the countryside. On a clear day, you can even spot Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower! Originally built to help military personnel recover in fresh air and the tranquillity of nature, a day out at Royal Victoria Country Park is sure to blow away the cobwebs this summer.
Manor Farm
You’ll find everything for the perfect day out at Manor Farm, learn about the history of farming in the Farmhouse and Wartime Cottage, run around in the Play Barn, refuel at the Farm Café, and watch the farm animals play. Located inside River Hamble Country Park, between Portsmouth and Southampton, you’ll leave the luscious woodland farm feeling refreshed and with lots of fun new memories.
River Hamble Country Park
River Hamble Country Park is a large space of green fields and thick woodlands along the bank of the River Hamble. The woodland is great for dog walks, with children’s play equipment nearby and the newly opened Café at The Barn on hand to satisfy any cravings. For something a bit more hands-on, the scenic river is a perfect spot for paddleboarding and kayaking, with local businesses on-site to hire out anything you’re missing. If you’d rather keep your feet dry, you can grab a line and bucket from The Barn and go crabbing off the jetty. Make sure to throw the crabs back when you’re done though! If the sun is shining, you can even hire a BBQ spot for the day.
Lepe Country Park
Relax on the beach with a scenic view of the Isle of Wight, or follow the forest boardwalk to the veiled bird hide and spot rare wetland wildlife at Lepe Country Park. The bookable BBQ spots for up to 30 people are ideal for getting together, and the sensory gardens and exciting play equipment nearby mean even the little ones will be happy. For those looking for a countryside adventure, the 5-mile Lepe Loop trail will take you along refreshing coastal paths and through woodland walks back to The Lookout café to refuel.
It doesn’t stop there! You can find out even more about what there is to do across Hampshire Countryside this summer on our website. Just put in your postcode to find your local countryside sites and discover great walks and wildlife near you.
