Jane Austen House in Chawton, East Hampshire, home of the literary great, writer of Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park

Jane Austen House

East Hampshire

Things To Do in Hampshire

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There are so many top things to do in Hampshire, a county famous for the home of Downton Abbey at Highclere Castle, and the iconic Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.  A county where Bombay Gin is made and where Jane Austen lived, wrote and is now laid to rest.  Visit Hampshire and discover its rich with beautiful countryside, vibrant cities and towns and a diverse coastline providing dramatic views, great walks and places to enjoy tranquillity and nature.  

Hampshire is home to the New Forest National Park, which stretches across 140,000 acres of ancient woodland and unspoilt grassland. It's one of the most beautiful national parks in the UK and home to the famous New Forest ponies, with dozens of walking and cycling trails to explore.  The South Downs National Park lies at the heart of the county, with its rolling green pastures, ancient woodlands and river valleys.  It is the newest of the National Parks, stretching from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east.

Hampshire is a county full of hidden gems and new discoveries, with its clear chalk streams, thatched cottages and cosy pubs, historic buildings, fascinating interactive museums, bustling market towns and three cities.

Portsmouth, the UK's only island city with its rich maritme history, award-winning attractions, historic fortifications and busy year round events calendar.

Southampton, this South coast port city  with links to the infamous Titanic and famous Mayflower. Home to the internationally renowned Boat Show with a large shopping and cultural centre, one of contenders for City of Culture 2025.

Winchester, once the ancient capital city of the UK with its cobbled streets, historic Winchester Cathedral, links with Jane Austen and King Alfred the Great, one of England's smallest cities making it ideal to explore on foot.

East Hampshire includes the famous village of Chawton, home of Jane Austen and her brother Edward, and the ancient market town of Petersfield formally an important coaching stop between Portsmouth and London.

Find out more about the county's towns and villages including Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent, with its 24 miles of waterfront, Basingstoke the largest town in Hampshire and many more using our interactive map of Hampshire.

Things to do in Hampshire this weekend

Many of Hampshire's tourist attractions and points of interest are open all year round making it an ideal location to visit any time of the year. Find something to do today with activities listings each showing a map and opening times for your convenience. Or why not browse our events guide to find out what's on in Hampshire today or this week.

Top 10 things to do in Hampshire

From period dramas such as the hit ITV show Downton Abbey, to action movies including James Bond, Hampshire has set the scene for a wide variety of productions. Take a tour and find out more about some of the county's best known film locations.

For ideas and inspiration on where to stay, what's on and things to do in Hampshire visit the official website, Visit Hampshire.

List of things to do & places to visit for days out in Hampshire

For more information about Hampshire, including ideas for days out, attractions and events, view the list below for information on things to do and towns and villages in Hampshire. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.

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Number of results: 163

, currently showing 141 to 160.

  1. St Mary's Church, Itchen Stoke

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    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Alresford

    St Mary's Church, Itchen Stoke

  2. New Forest

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    New Forest National Park is home to some of South East England’s most picturesque countryside & filled with a great variety of things to do & places to stay

  3. Winchester College

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Winchester

    Founded in 1382, Winchester College is believed to be the oldest continuously running school in the country.

  4. O2 Guildhall Southampton

    Type

    Type:

    Venue Provider

    Southampton

    O2 Guildhall Southampton is the South's largest multipurpose entertainment venue. Hosting some of the biggest names in music from Pink Floyd & David Bowie in the 70's to present day bands such as Hard Fi, Manic Street Preachers and The Killers. With…

  5. The Great Hall with Westgate Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Winchester

    Built by William the Conqueror, Winchester Castle was the seat of power of medieval monarchs. The Great Hall, one of the finest medieval halls in England, and the Westgate, which served as the castle’s primary defence, are now the sole survivors of…

  6. The Arc

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    Type:

    Venue Provider

    WINCHESTER

    The brand-new place to experience live performance, library and community services, art, classes and talks, all together, under one roof in the heart of Winchester.

  7. The 1642 Living History Village

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    Type:

    Museum

    Gosport

    A representational Hampshire village set in the year 1642. Timber and thatched buildings, occupants dressed and speak in 17thC style.

  8. Hayling Island Beach

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    Beach

    Hayling Island


    Hayling Island has over 3 miles of beaches along the seafront facing the Solent and many more miles of shore around the Harbours of Langstone and Chichester. The three main beaches of the Island have won both the European Blue Flag and the Keep…

  9. Southsea Castle

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    Castle / Fort

    Southsea, Portsmouth

    Built in 1544, Southsea Castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by Henry VIII around England's coasts.

  10. Yateley Common Country Park

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    Country / Royal Park

    Yateley

    476 acres of heathland, woodland, grassland and ponds providing walking, cycling and fishing in natural surroundings.

  11. Sparsholt

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    Towns & Villages

    Spharsholt

    Sparsholt is a village and civil parish in Hampshire and lies to the west of Winchester, and has a population of 967.

  12. Houghton Lodge & Gardens

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    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Stockbridge

    Idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test with untouched views across the valley and water meadows. After a walk around the glorious gardens enjoying the peaceful Walled Garden with rose arbours and peony walk, visit the quaint Tea…

  13. Hythe

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    Towns & Villages

    Southampton

    Visit the pleasant village of Hythe for its historic Pier with electric train, fantastic views of the cruise liners in Southampton Water, and interesting shops.

  14. City Space at The Arc

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    Type:

    Arts Centre

    Winchester

    A vibrant and versatile gallery space hosting a changing programme of exhibits to celebrate the best of Winchester's thriving arts and heritage scene.

  15. Andover

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    Towns & Villages

    Andover

    Explore the rich heritage of the Hampshire market town of Andover in the Test Valley at the Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age.

  16. Milford-on-Sea

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Milford-on-Sea

    Situated on the south coast with stunning views across the Isle of Wight and the Needles, Milford on Sea has an extensive beachfront that is enjoyed by water sport enthusiasts, walkers, beach lovers and swimmers. 

  17. The Emsworth Business Association

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    Type:

    Shopping Centre

    Emsworth

    Tucked away in the south east corner of Hampshire on the shore of Chichester Harbour, Emsworth is a quiet and attractive, yet vibrant and dynamic town, where residents wouldn’t live anywhere else and visitors can be sure of a friendly welcome…

  18. Staunton Farm

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Havant

    A farm full of friendly animals.

  19. Westgate Museum

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    Type:

    Museum

    Winchester

    Winchester's Tudor and Stuart past is revealed in this beautifully refurbished listed monument, the last of the main medieval gates into the city.

  20. Stansted Park

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    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Stansted Park is home to stunning weddings, forest walks, afternoon teas and some of the best events in the south! Visit the Mansion for a real sense of a bygone era.