Days out with Grandparents in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight

There’s nothing better than a day out with your grandparents, especially in Hampshire. It’s the perfect place for some quality time and a day to remember! Plus we all know how much grandparents enjoy treating their grandchildren to something special! From experience days to attractions there are tons of great things to do with grandparents in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight!

A visit to one of the Hampshire gardens

Hampshire is home to some of the most beautiful gardens you could hope to find. They offer a great day out with the grandparents, with stunning walks and an abundance of flowers to enjoy. The gardens offer plenty of open space, activities and adventures for the grandchildren.

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway is the perfect day out for all generations! Nan and grandad can kick back and enjoy the beautiful Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, camelias, azaleas and rare trees. Whilst the kids explore nature, climb on our adventure playground and let off steam. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is set in 180 acres with fun and educational exhibits suitable for the whole family.

Combine stunning gardens with impressive stately homes and country estates and you’ve got Mottisfont, full of culture and history, as well as a play area and activities and exhibitions that grandparents and grandchildren will both love.

Step into the world of the pioneering naturalist at Gilbert White’s House & Garden in the picturesque village of Selborne. Grandparents will love exploring the beautifully restored 18th-century home and the Oates Collections, which tell the heroic tales of Antarctic explorers. Outside, 25 acres of stunning gardens and parkland offer a tranquil space for a stroll!

Search for over 40 fairy doors at Furzey Gardens where the whole family will enjoy exploring beautiful winding paths whilst discovering the secrets hidden beneath the trees.

A trip to Buckler’s Hard is a great way to combine a bit of history with the Bucklers Hard museum, and open space, beautiful views across the Beaulieu River and the perfect spot for you to enjoy an ice cream with your grandparents.

You’ll all love patting the rescue donkeys at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. Plus with dogs allowed and a cafe onsite, it’s the perfect visit. Don’t forget you can also adopt a donkey!

Get a taste of history with these Hampshire days out

Hampshire is steeped in history and many of Hampshire’s Top Attractions are the perfect place to discover time’s gone by. A wonderful way for both grandparents and grandchildren to learn together, while having fun.

Looking for a budget-friendly day out that bridges the generation gap? The Royal Logistic Corps Museum is a fantastic choice for grandparents to visit with the grandkids. With free entry and free parking, it’s a big win for the wallet! Grandparents can share stories while exploring fascinating history, from Napoleon’s bread oven to the very Rolls Royceused by Field Marshal Montgomery. While the grown-ups take in the vintage uniforms and medals, the little ones will be kept busy with hands-on fun like defusing a bomb or launching parachutes from the balcony.

Treat your grandchildren to a fun day out at the Watercress Line: ride on a steam train, play in the playground, visit the footbridge used in Harry Potter films, and enjoy a delicious picnic box from the buffet. Children under 5 years go FREE (standard travel only).

Take a nostalgic stroll down memory lane at Milestones Living History Museum! Grandparents will love the trip down a literal memory lane, spotting vintage vehicles and exploring the old-fashioned shops. You can even trade in your “new” money for old pennies to play in the traditional penny arcade or treat the grandkids to a ration-standard bag of sweets from the 1940s sweet shop.

Embark on an unforgettable family adventure at Beaulieu, where the ticket grants access to diverse experiences, including the world-famous National Motor Museum and the historic Beaulieu Abbey. Plus with the playarea ‘Little Beaulieu’ grandparents can have a well earned cup of tea whilst watching the grandchildren explore the vast adventure play area.

Dive into Arthurian legend at The Great Hall, the only surviving part of Winchester Castle and home to the iconic Round Table. It’s a breathtaking spot where grandparents can marvel at the 13th-century architecture. Just a few steps away, the Westgate Museum, once a debtors’ prison offers a more “hands-on” history lesson. You can try on replica costumes, make your own brass rubbings, and even spot prisoner graffiti carved into the walls. 

Take the grandparents to Royal Armouries Fort Nelson! This massive Victorian fort sits atop Portsdown Hill and offers some of the most spectacular views over Portsmouth and the Solent, perfect for a scenic stroll along the ramparts. Grandparents will appreciate the restored tunnels and the national collection of artillery, while the grandchildren will love the wide-open spaces! It’s a fantastic way to explore military history together, and since entry to the museum is free (though you do need to book), it’s a brilliant choice for a budget-friendly family adventure.

Take a dive into the heart of Southampton’s history with a visit to two of the city’s most iconic spots. At SeaCity Museum, grandparents can read about the poignant and world-famous story of the Titanic through the eyes of the local people who lived it. The interactive models and moving accounts are incredibly engaging for older children, while the younger ones will love the hands-on “steer the ship” simulations.

Visit Tudor House & Garden! Grandparents will appreciate the beautifully preserved timber-framed house and the peaceful, traditional Tudor knot garden, a perfect spot for a quiet moment. Meanwhile, the grandkids can explore over 800 years of history through fun family trails and discover the dark secrets of the underground air-raid shelter. It’s a wonderful way to experience the city’s heritage together across the generations!

For a day out that bridges the generations, The D-Day Story in Portsmouth is a must-visit. Grandparents and grandkids can step aboard LCT 7074, the last surviving D-Day Landing Craft, before marveling at the 83-metre Overlord Embroidery. It’s an immersive, accessible experience that brings history to life through moving personal stories and interactive displays. With senior tickets from £12.70 online, under 5s going free, and a 20% off voucher available on our website, it’s a budget-friendly way to create lasting family memories.

The Brickworks Museum is a great place to visit with the grandchildren. There is lots to do and see for all ages. There are play areas both inside and out, arcade machines to play, bricks to make, a cafe to enjoy and an award winning museum to wander round.

Step back in time within barracks at Aldershot Military Museum, see military history on a historic site with real vehicles and learn about the pivotal role Aldershot played in developing the British Army. Grandparents will love the nostalgic galleries and impressive collection of tanks and historic vehicles, while the grandchildren can burn off energy on the World War II-inspired assault course. With a “pay once, visit all year” ticket, it’s a budget-friendly way to keep coming back for more family missions!

Take your family days out to new heights at the Army Flying Museum, where two massive hangars house over 35 historic aircraft. Grandparents can share stories in the 1940s House, while grandkids get hands-on in the interactive displays! After exploring, enjoy a treat at the Apache Café with front-row seats to watch live flying action from the active airfield. Best of all, your ticket is an Annual Pass, so you can “pay once and visit all year” for endless adventures with the grandchildren!

Hampshire Animal Enchanters for grandparents and grandchildren

For a dose of fresh air and farmyard fun, Hampshire’s traditional farms are a winner for all ages. At Manor Farm, grandparents can take a nostalgic trip back in time to a Victorian rural world, exploring the historic farmhouse and blacksmith’s forge while the grandchildren meet the friendly farm animals. It’s a wonderful place to share stories of how life used to be!

Meanwhile, Staunton Farm offers a brilliant mix of the exotic and the familiar; you can wander through the beautiful ornamental glasshouses or watch the kids’ faces light up as they feed the goats and sheep. Both farms offer plenty of space for a gentle stroll and a well-earned tea and cake in the café, making them a stress-free choice for a family day out.

See a range of animal from furry to feathered, including the rare and endangered at the New Forest Wildlife Park, set in the beautiful woodlands of the New Forest. The children can then burn energy in the Go Wild! adventure play areas.

At Marwell Zoo, you can enjoy a range of daily animal talks, plus, with five adventure playgrounds and a ton of animals, there’s plenty to occupy your grandchildren whilst you relax and soak up the surroundings.

Birdworld invites visitors of all ages to discover a world of feathered and furry friends! With over 2,000 animals eager to meet you, you’ll gain fascinating insights into their diverse lives.

Step back in time at Butser Ancient Farm, where grandparents and grandkids can explore 10,000 years of history together. From sitting by the fire in an Iron Age roundhouse to discovering a Roman villa, it’s a peaceful spot for sharing stories. Kids will love the hands-on ancient crafts and meeting the friendly rare-breed goats, making it a perfect, relaxed day out for all generations.

With world-class flying displays and a full daily timetable of activities, the Hawk Conservancy Trust offers something for every generation of the family. Activities are timed beautifully throughout the day to ensure that you can see and do everything at a pace to suit all. Plus, there are additional activities to occupy the grandchildren, including an activity trail and playground.

Experience days for grandparents and all ages

They may be of the older generation but that doesn’t mean grandparents don’t know how to have fun or enjoy some new adventures! Sometimes a fun activity suitable for all ages is the perfect way to enjoy days out with your grandparents.

Paultons Park, home to Peppa Pig world is the ideal place to spend a day enjoying rides for all levels of thrill-seekers, as well as having lovely gardens to walk around and new worlds to discover. Whether your grandparents like to join in on the rides themselves, or relax and watch you, it is a guaranteed fun day out for everyone.

Watch the sparks fly and curiosity ignite at Winchester Science Centre, the perfect place for grandparents to inspire the next generation of little scientists! With two floors of hands-on exhibits, it’s a brilliant way for you to explore together. You can wander through the indoor and outdoor areas or sit back and relax in the awe-inspiring Planetarium for a journey through the stars that’s just as captivating for you as it is for them. 

Would you like to try a new experience together? At New Forest Activities there’s plenty on offer to suit all ages from grandchildren to grandparents. A guided tour of the Beaulieu River in Canadian Canoe is a great way to see this picturesque river, as well as enjoying some quality time. If you prefer to stay on dry land how about some Archery in the New Forest setting, or a Woodland Adventure Day where you can both learn some bushcraft survival skills.

A walk in one of Hampshire’s Country Parks

If you just want to relax and enjoy each others company, or want somewhere where you can burn off some energy whilst the grandparents can take in some beautiful sites then Hampshire has some fantastic country parks.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park is a large park situated on the South Downs. With 2,000 acres to explore there is plenty of space for you to enjoy a fun day out. Royal Victoria Country Park has 200 acres to enjoy as well as a small shingle beach, there’s also a miniature railway so you can enjoy riding the rails! Staunton Country Park has 1,000 acres with include an ornamental farm, ornamental lake, follies, maze and walled garden! A great place to enjoy a day out with grandparents!

Visit Lepe Country Park, with over a mile of beach is a great day out for all. Whether spending the day searching for seashore crabs and building sandcastles or enjoying the play area or a stroll around the coast to the D-Day remains or through the local nature reserve, there’s lots to do. Finish your visit at The Lookout, Lepe’s restaurant with panoramic views over the Solent – a destination for visitors whatever the weather!

Your grandparents will love a trip over to the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is just a short ferry journey away for anyone looking for a day out or longer break on the island. Depending on where you’re travelling from you have several options for travel.

If you’re travelling from Lymington or want to start your visit in Yarmouth then Wightlink is the service for you. For travel from Southampton to Cowes you have Red Funnel. From Portsmouth you can enjoy your journey on a hovercraft with Hovertravel. Whether you are taking a car or travelling as foot passengers, travel travel is easy and enjoyable.

Visit the UK’s oldest amusement park, Blackgang Chine! It’s a land of imagination where grandparents can share the nostalgia of the Cowboy Town and Dinosaur Heritage with a new generation. Or head to Robin Hill Adventure Park! This countryside adventure park is perfect for a full day of fun. Featuring a quarter-mile toboggan run and 88 acres of beautiful woodland and gardens.

Take your pick from these great days out with grandparents

With all these great ideas you won’t be short of things to do with your grandparents in Hampshire. For more inspiration take a look at our attractions page.

Updated February 2026. Please note: Attraction features, facilities and offers or pricing are subject to change. Please always check their individual websites before visiting.