Great ways to keep the family active during Autumn and Winter

It’s never been so important to keep our minds and bodies active, and during the Autumn and Winter months, it can be easy to let your family’s health and wellbeing take a backseat while we hibernate at home! Getting out and getting active is just as important in these colder seasons, even if it does mean adding a few more layers and waterproofs!

Thankfully, Hampshire’s Top Attractions can help you tick those boxes for getting active and out in the fresh air without the family even realising you’re sneaking in some valuable exercise! Whether it’s a day out exploring and getting those steps in or a new activity that challenges both the body and mind, we’ve got the perfect solution for keeping active throughout the Autumn and Winter!

Get those steps in!

If your smart device keeps shouting at you to move, then why not treat yourself to some movement that’s fun! Don’t just do a few extra laps of your house, get out and get active with a walk around one of the wonderful attractions Hampshire has to offer! The whole family will enjoy a great day out and you will all benefit from the exercise you didn’t even realise you were doing!

Get your steps in at Marwell Zoo! Walk around 140 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds while getting closer to the amazing members of the animal kingdom. From red pandas to gentle giraffes, there’s plenty for the whole family to admire! By visiting, you’ll also be supporting their important conservation work. 

Selborne is the perfect place to stretch your legs, whether it’s a long walk around Gilbert White’s garden or getting your heart rate up walking up Gilbert White’s famous Zigzag path. There are plenty of walking routes in and around Gilbert White & the Oates Collections.  

Fort Nelson is the perfect place to get active with its acres of outdoor areas – and learn about history at the same time. Blow the cobwebs away and enjoy a walk around the ramparts, taking in the spectacular views – you will have completed 10,000 steps without realising it. 

The best way to explore Hampshire’s splendid cities is on a Text Quest. Enjoy a safe activity, relish the challenge, delight in discovery.

Discover Robin Hill…88 acres of rolling parkland, natural woodland and countryside gardens for exploration, adventure and entertainment. The perfect outdoor space to stay fit and active with friends and family, treetop trails, beautiful botanic walkways and incredible day and night-time experiences throughout the year. 

Keep the body and mind active!

We all need to make sure we blow off some steam and do something good for the body and mind! Whether it’s exercising the mind in new surroundings, or trying a new activity that gets your body moving a little bit differently! Here are some great ways to keep you and your family active this season.

Get the blood pumping at Calshot Activities Centre – indoor or outdoor activity, the choice is yours.

As well as relaxing on a steam train while you’re at the Watercress Line, you can also take a walk around Ropley station to explore the locomotive yard, visit the footbridge used in Harry Potter films, or visit picturesque Alresford town just a short stroll from the station. 

Get active with a workout with a difference! Climb, swing and bounce through the trees at one of the Hampshire based Go Ape sites, a workout that is sure to put a smile on your face. 

You’ll never run out of adventures at New Forest Activities, as they’re open all year round! There are both land-based and water-based activities skillfully planned out with social distancing in mind. You can spend an afternoon paddling along the Beaulieu River during their family canoeing trips. Or be more active with a 2-hour kayaking adventure in fast and stable touring Kayaks. 

Take the family outside to enjoy the best of nature at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Marvel at world-class bird of prey flying displays and the kids can blow off steam as they search for giant Top Trumps cards as part of the NEW Top Trumps activity trail!

Enjoy beautiful views at the historic shipbuilding village of Buckler’s Hard. Kids can burn off steam exploring the wide-open spaces and they’ll love waving to boats sailing by on the Beaulieu River. There are plenty of opportunities to explore inside too, with historic cottage displays and a maritime museum to discover. 

Head to Itchen Valley Country Park and discover the play trail. Play equipment at every stop, plus two additional Play parks and woods to run arund in.

Create an unforgettable day out in Blackgang Chine’s Lands of Imagination. Go on swashbuckling adventures in Pirate Cove, stop outlaws in Cowboy Town and uncover prehistoric creatures in Area 5. There’s something for everyone in this topsy-turvy world of creative fun! 

Want to find even more active adventures? Check out what other Hampshire attractions have to offer!