Place to visit with children in Hampshire during half-term

In Hampshire there are a host of places to enjoy fun days out. Here we give a round-up of some of the top attractions in the county to visit with children.

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has opened a new permanent exhibition, Streets Ahead: Motoring in Mid-Century Britain, showcasing a typical street from the decades following the Second World War.

The new gallery explores a time when Britain underwent a period of rapid social, cultural, and economic change with artefacts from the museum’s extensive motoring collections.

To launch the new gallery over the bank holiday weekend, actors from the Gobledogook theatre company will take on roles of characters that you may have encountered on the street in mid-century Britain such as a bus conductor and motor saleseman.

The exhibition is included in the admission ticket for the Beaulieu attraction.

Tickets: Free for under fives; £14 in advance for children; £25 in advance for adults

Website nationalmotormuseum.org.uk.

Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop

The museum holds and extensive collection charting more than 100 years of the British Army in the air. With more than 35 fixed wing and rotary aircraft on display, the museum is the perfect place to explore the fascinating history of army aviation.

During the May half-term the museum is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings with Second World War themed activities including a special trail, craft activities and model making sessions.

Tickets: Free for under fives; from £10 for children; from £14 for adults

Website armyflying.com/what-s-on/events/may-half-term-family-fun/

Four Kingdoms, Headley

Four Kingdoms is being invaded by dinosaurs during half term. The adventure park which has more than 21 play zones, a petting zoo, laser tag and giant slides, is holding a special dinosaur themed event during the school holidays. It will include dinosaur shows and attractions, rides through the Dino Kingdom and baby dinosaur encounters.

Tickets: Free for babies under one; From £4.95 for toddlers; From £17.50 for children and adults

Website 4-kingdoms.co.uk

Furzey Gardens

Evil Jack Frost has stolen the Fairy King and Queen’s magic gems – can you find them before their kingdom is lost forever?

Visitors of all ages are invited to Fairytales at Furzey – an interactive story trail celebrating fairytales and the power they have to spark our imagination, teach us life lessons and unlock our creativity.

Experience the trail from May 25 to September 1 and wonder at 28 original works of art – with 15 fairytale lands to find and 13 giant letters spelling ‘Once upon a time’.

Fairytales at Furzey raises funds for people with learning disabilities at the gardens and beyond, some of whom helped build and decorate the lands and letters.

Tickets: Entrance is by suggested donation of £5 for children and £9 for adults. Booking necessary.

Website minsteadtrust.org.uk/furzey-gardens

Miller’s Ark Animals, Hook

Visit Miller’s Ark in Hook to cuddle and see farm animals including piglets, goat, lamb, miniature donkeys and chickens.

Visits during half term are an hour-and-a-half with time on Monday, May 27, Wednesday, May 29, Thursday, Thursday, May 30, Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2.

Tickets: £12 for children aged two and over; £13 for adults

Website millersark.co.uk

Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Petersfield

If you’re looking for some outdoor fun Queen Elizabeth County Park has a host of activities on throughout half term including pond dipping, forest school and a family mosaic workshop.

The country park, on the South Downs, also has a play area, walking and cycling trails, assault course, and café.

Parking: £9.50 for a full day

Website: hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/qecp

Marwell Zoo, Colden Common

This 140-acre zoo near Winchester is owned and run by the registered charity Marwell Wildlife and is home of 1,208 animals.

There is plenty to explore with wide open spaces, adventure play areas, animal walk-throughs, interactive exhibits and of course hundreds of animals including endangered Amur tigers and giraffes.

The park also has a road train and tropical house.

Tickets: Free for under twos; from £21.58 for children; from 25.18 for adults; from £14.39 for seniors and students

Website marwell.org.uk

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey

Situated in Ampfield, just outside Romsey, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is an arboretum covering 180 acres and accommodating over 42,000 trees and shrubs - most notably an almost unparalleled collection of oaks, camellia, magnolia and rhododendron.

The venue is hosting activities during half-term including pond dipping sessions when children can look for diving beetles, nimble pond skaters and slimy snails.

Hillier also runs and outdoor adventure holiday club with a Forest School ethos with activities including den building, bug hunting and scavenger hunts. Booking is essential.

Tickets: Free for under fives; £4.50 for children; £15.50 for adults

Website: hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens/whatson/Club-May24

Basingstoke Canal, Mytchett

Unpowered boat hire is available at the Canal Visitor Centre in Mytchett with pedalos, canoes, kayaks and rowing boats available.

There is also a café and children’s play park next to the visitor centre.

To check if boat hire is open contact the office on 01252 370073, email info@basingstoke-canal.co.uk or check Facebook or X.

Prices: From £10.50 for half an hour

Website: hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/basingstokecanal/onthewater/boathire

Winchester Science Centre

If the weather isn’t looking great, Winchester Science Centre offers indoor family fun with science related activities. The interactive science and technology centre has the largest standalone planetarium in the UK and offers two shows either a full-dome film or live, presenter-led shows.

Tickets: Free for under twos; from £12.90 for children; from £14.20 for adults

Website: winchestersciencecentre.org

If you’re looking for ideas for free or low-cost fun during the half-term holidays Hampshire Cultural Trust has activities and events planned throughout the week at its sites including gardening, bubble making and Viking history. For more information click here.