Treat yourself and your family to a truly special experience at some of the UK’s best attractions. There is so much to choose from when looking for those memorable family days out in Hampshire.
Family fun day out
Have a fun-filled family day out at Marwell Zoo and you can see some of the world’s most endangered and exotic animals including Amur tigers, pygmy hippos, penguins, giraffes, white rhinos, meerkats and lots more! Learn all about these fascinating animals in a range of daily talks and feeds and meet some of the keepers that care for them. Children can enjoy the outdoor play areas and take part in special events throughout the year. With indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as cafes and picnic huts it’s an excellent choice whatever the weather.
Go ApeAn experience the whole family can enjoy
For adventure way up high why not Go Ape?! Go Ape is the UK’s No.1 Tree Top Adventure, tucked away in 440 acres of beautiful woodland and meadows close to the River Itchen.
Take on the Tree Top Adventure, an award-winning 2-3 hour high ropes course with awesome crossings, tunnels, bridges and more – including an epic wind-in-your-face zip wire to finish. For Mini Tarzans, there’s Tree Top Junior, a Go Ape course designed for little monkeys! It’s a fun filled hour of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles for all to enjoy. Negotiate crossings and finish on a high (literally!) with one awesome zip wire. Perfect for tree climbers and thrill seekers alike, this outdoor activity centre does a day out like no other! With the minimum age to monkey around being 10 years old, Go Ape is great for older kids. Tree Top Adventure Adult tickets are £33 and a Tree Top Adventure Child ticket is £25.
There’s plenty of space to run, jump and play around Mottisfont, and always something for families to do. Test your limits in Mottisfont’s Wild Play areas, explore the grounds with seasonal trails in school holidays, and enjoy a family-focused exhibition every summer.
Step back in time and experience how the men of the Mary Rose lived, worked and played. Wonder at the thousands of Tudor objects preserved. Enjoy views of the ship from the glass balcony or even try out the longbows!
Visit the Hawk Conservancy Trust for a family day out to inspire, to relax and to educate. Each day there is a full timetable of activities, including world-class flying displays and keepers talks. And if you want to make your day extra special with an opportunity to meet, photograph or even fly some of the Trust’s spectacular birds, then why not book one of their experiences, from £19.50 per person.
Enjoy a day in the stunning New Forest National Park on a Family Adventure Day with New Forest Activities. You’ll start your day on an exciting 90-minute guided canoeing tour of the Beaulieu River before an afternoon exploring the national park by bike. With buoyancy aids for the little ones as well as child seats, trailers and tag-a-longs for the bikes, everyone can get involved in the fun!
A world-famous family day out
Race down to Beaulieu for some brilliant motors! With over 250 vehicles in its collection, the National Motor Museum tells the story of motoring on the roads and circuits of Britain, from pioneering origins to the present day. From the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons, displays include land speed record holders, motorcycles, a rustic 1930’s country garage and Wheels – a fascinating pod ride through motoring history. For fans of Top Gear visit the World of Top Gear and get the feel of the show’s studio. See unique behind the scenes footage from Top Gear HQ and cars from the show’s most ambitious challenges.
If exploring stately homes is more exciting than perusing vintage motors then Palace House is perfect! Home to the Montagu family since 1538, Palace House is a Victorian styled country house. Costumed guides will give a flavour of life ‘below stairs’ and share the secret history of the house and the generations who have lived there. Explore the grounds, which feature Victorian flower and kitchen gardens.
Beaulieu is a huge, exciting venue so legs are bound to get tired! Take a ride on the Monorail for informative commentary and sweeping views of the park, and in the Secret Army Exhibition the truth behind Beaulieu’s covert wartime role is revealed… Book the family in for a jam packed vehicular adventure for £64 or book in advance for £49.
Family friendly theme park
Rollercoasters + water park + Peppa pig = Paultons Park!
Paultons Park is the theme park for families which has more than 70 wonderful rides and attractions included in the admission price. Paultons is home to the world’s first and UK exclusive Peppa Pig World. This amazing land lets youngsters discover Peppa’s World in nearly 3 acres of fully themed fun! There are 9 fabulous rides to enjoy and there’s even a chance to visit Peppa and her family in their house.
Make sure you stop by Lost Kingdom and discover a world of dinosaurs, featuring two new world class family rollercoasters, life like animatronic dinosaurs, Jurassic themed family rides and more! Water babies and little mermaids can splash about in Water Kingdom! It’s a whole world of water jets, giant tipping buckets, sprays, fountains, and super soakers for the little ones to enjoy and explore. This huge kids’ splash park paradise features more than 20 different ways of getting wet and has a seated patio area nearby so parents can relax whilst watching the fun.