Where will their adventures take them? Explore Hampshire’s parks this Summer.

Whether your little ones want to build their own woodland hideout, set sail on a pirate adventure, search for buried treasure, follow our flower fairy trail or be a nature detective, there’s sure to be something to keep them entertained at Hampshire’s parks and outdoor venues this summer.

Here’s the top picks of what’s on across Hampshire’s parks from now until September 2018:

 

Manor Farm 

Fairies and Pirates at Manor Farm
Until Sunday 2 September
10am
Join us at the farm for a summer of fairy and pirate activities. Take part in our trail to walk the plank, hunt for buried treasure and hold a fairy tea party in our fairy caravan. Test your skills in our cannonball challenge, visit our dressing up area and hunt for fairy houses. Get your best fairy and pirate outfits on and come to the farm.
Cost: Trail £2 (includes prize) Normal farm admission charges

 

Hampshire Libraries

Summer Reading Challenge
Register at your local library now
Children between the ages of 4 and 11 years old can take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s challenge is called Mischief Makers, inspired by the much-loved iconic children’s title The Beano, which celebrates its 80^th anniversary. Children will explore a map of Beanotown to find the mysterious buried treasure and become ultimate mischief makers! Dennis, Gnasher and friends will help solve clues and collect stickers, having lots of fun and adventures along the way.

 

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Flower Fairies
Thursday 19 July to Monday 3 September
There are some new visitors making the Gardens their own this summer. We can’t wait for you to come and see them. From July to September, come along and take part in our interactive Flower Fairies trail. If you look very hard, you might even find the magical fairy grotto.
Just visit us this summer to buy your special fairy finding passport. Every trail pass purchased comes with your very own pair of fairy wings.
Inspired by Cicely Mary Barker’s classic illustrations, the trail is a must visit for fairy lovers of all ages.
Cost: £5 (excluding admission to the gardens)

 

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Pond Dipping
Tuesdays and Thursdays during summer holidays (between 24 July and 30 August) 
Drop in between 1pm-4pm
What is lurking in our ponds? Join us for pond dipping and see what is in our Education Garden ponds. Can you find diving beetles, nimble pond skaters and slimy snails? All equipment is provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: £2 per child (excluding admission to the gardens)

 

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Family butterfly day
Friday 3 August
10am to 4pm
A fun day of butterfly themed activities run in conjunction with Butterfly Conservation and timed to coincide with the peak of butterfly activity. The day includes a number of guided walks along Centenary Border looking at butterflies and the plants which attract these delightful insects. There will also be butterfly themed craft activities and games designed for children throughout the day. Donations from this event will be used by the Education Service to support our work with families and children and the Butterfly Conservation.
No need to book. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Suggested donation £1.50/pp (Garden admission fees apply).

 

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Little Adventurers ‘Crazy Critters’
Tuesday 31 July and Friday 10 August 
Come and join us to see what is hiding in the woods and what is lurking in the pond. We will be making a craft and following a trail to start us off on our really buggy bug hunt! This activity is suitable for children ages 2 and half years upwards. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
To book phone the Visitor Centre on 02392 595040
Cost: £6 per child

 

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Little Adventurers ‘Go Wild’
Tuesday 7 August and Friday 17 August
If you love Bear Grylls then this is for you! We will be den building and bug hunting in the woods of Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Build your new woodland hideout and toast marshmallows in the great outdoors
To book, phone the Visitor Centre 02392 595040
Cost: £6 per child

 

Royal Victoria Country Park

Pirates!
Tuesday 7 August and Wednesday 8 August
Yo ho ho me hearties! A session of pirate activities – hats, parrots, boats and a treasure hunt. For children aged 4 years and over. Sessions are at 10am or 2pm. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.
To book, please visit the shop in the Park or phone 02380 455157 (10am – 4pm).
Cost: £6 per child

 

Royal Victoria Country Park

Survival!
Tuesday 21 August and Wednesday 22 August 
A hands-on session of shelter building and fire lighting. Toast your marshmallows over a roaring fire! Suitable for children aged 4 years and over. Sessions are at 10am or 2pm. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.
To book, please visit the shop in the Park or phone 023 8045 5157 (10am – 4pm).
Cost: £6 per child

 

Lepe Country Park

Lepe: Summer Trail
Tuesday 24 July to Sunday 2 September
10am to 3pm
Pick up a trail card from the park office anytime on each day between 10am – 3pm. Return with the correct answers and claim your prize.
Cost: £2 per child (parking charges apply)

 

Lepe Country Park

Lepe: Nature Detectives
Thursday 16 August and Tuesday 28 August
10am – 12pm
Come and join us for these popular children’s activities where children get to experience nature hands on.
Book online
Cost: £4 per child (parking charges apply)

 

Lepe Country Park

Marine Wonders
Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 August
Come to Lepe for two days of marine themed fun. The ever popular seashore safaris, arts and crafts, storytelling and much more.
No need to book, just turn up and join in. 10am-4pm
Parking charges apply

 

Staunton Country Park

Summer at Staunton
Tuesday 24 July to Sunday 2 September
10am to 5pm
We’ve got face painting* and animal encounters. Plus, follow our three themed trails*. Choose the “Lost Words”, discover fun facts about Pollinators or learn more about water!
Cost: *Small fee for some activities. Normal farm admission charges apply

 

Staunton County Park

Little Explorers: Out and About
Wednesday 22 August
Ready, set, GO! Come and explore our woodland through den building, trails, wood skills and marshmallow tasting! Suitable for children 2 and a half to 8 years. All children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
To book call the Visitor Centre 02392 595040

 

River Hamble Country Park

Pirates!
Monday 6 August and Friday 10 August
10am and 2pm
Join Michele, the Heritage and Community Engagement Officer, on a pirate adventure. Make and sail your own pirate boat and search for treasure.
Book online
Cost: £6 per child

 

River Hamble Country Park

Survival
Monday 20 August and Friday 24 August
10am and 2pm
Join Michele, the Heritage and Community Engagement Officer on a survival special. Toast marshmallows over a roaring fire. Please meet at Barnfield Car Park.
Book online
Cost: £6 per child

Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve 

Summer Nature Trail
Monday 23 July to Sunday 2 September
Explore the East Reserve and see how many animals your can find along the way! Budding explorers get ready for the challenge! Come and explore our Nature Trail and see how many animals you can find along the way! Please call our visitor centre on 01329 662145 for more information.
Cost: Normal Reserve entry fees apply. Additional 1 activity trail fee. (Children under 5 years are free)

 

Hampshire’s outdoor centres

Take part in dry slope skiing, climb on the climbing wall or experience velodrome cycling at Calshot Activities Centre, Tile Barn Outdoor Centre or Runway’s End Outdoor Centre. Experience some of Hampshire’s history at The Great Hall in Winchester. Take a boat trip along Basingstoke Canal or use the waterways and explore the River Hamble

Activities in outdoor centres usually need to be booked in advance.

 

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