10 Best Things to Do This Summer in Hampshire

The New Forest National Park covers around 220 square miles of forest, heathland and quaint villages. There’s plenty of wildlife to see within the woodland trails, including deer, ponies, and many species of birds. The Deer Sanctuary in Bolderwood, towards the centre of the park, is a popular attraction for families with several signposted walks to enjoy where you can see the deer in their natural environment.

As well as viewing the wildlife, popular summertime activities in the New Forest National Park include ziplining, kayaking and horseback riding. Notable villages to visit within the confines of the national park include the popular day-trippers’ towns of Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, and Burley, where you can base yourself during your summer escape.

Milford-on-Sea Beach is a long stretch of sandy coastline that’s popular with swimmers and sunbathers throughout the summer. From this location on the tip of the Solent, you can see the Isle of Wight and the famous Needles stretching out into the English Channel – it’s an incredible sea view. If you’re feeling active, take the 1-mile coastal walk to Hurst Castle on the tip of the headland.

The village of Milford-on-Sea has a quaint green surrounded by Victorian architecture which is enjoyable for a stroll. You’ll find a nice selection of pubs and bars here, including Verveine Seafood Restaurant and The Smugglers Pub. 

Winchester is one of Hampshire’s finest towns for a day trip. This ancient market town was once the capital of England and has plenty of history to discover along its cobbled streets, with plenty of boutique shops and charming cafes scattered between famous landmarks. 

Acting as a centrepiece of the town, Winchester Cathedral is a renowned Gothic structure that’s famous throughout the UK. The cathedral’s mortuary chests contain the remains of the Saxon king, Eadwig of England. For some evening entertainment, head to Theatre Royal Winchester. It regularly stages drama, stand-up comedy, dance and more. The town lies on the edge of the South Downs National Park, where you can connect to the South Downs Way hiking trail.

The village of Burley is a very popular tourist destination in Hampshire. Visit in the summer to enjoy its traditional customs and community atmosphere. You can still see ponies and cattle freely roaming around the village as you sip a pint at the local pub, and there are lots of quaint art galleries, tearooms, antique shops, and boutique clothing stores to explore.

Burley is home to at least 23 Bronze Age barrows, which you can visit by hiring a bicycle from the village Cycle Hire Centre. If you’re a nature lover, the New Forest National Park is a great place to enjoy hiking trails and cycle routes through ancient woodland. A fun way to explore Burley’s picturesque country lanes is to book a ride on a horse-drawn wagon.

On a sunny summer day, Ventnor Beach on the south coast of the Isle of Wight brings a touch of the Mediterranean to an English beach vacation. The beach is sheltered by a series of cliffs that help to trap the sun and gives the place a warm, sunny climate. Its golden sand peppered with red shingle is readymade for lounging on your deck chair.

The Victorian-era town is full of character and has plenty of hotels and B&Bs with sea views. Close to the beach is a century-old paddling pool for kids that features a miniature reproduction of the Isle of Wight, and a promenade lined with pubs and restaurants where you can get your fill of fresh seafood.

Beaulieu is an ancient village in the New Forest with an excellent range of summer attractions. Palatial landmarks like the Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey are popular places to relive the area’s rich history, which dates back over 800 years. Families will enjoy an afternoon at Little Beaulieu, a miniature play area that’s designed for toddlers and small children. There is a cafe on site serving snacks and sweet treats. To help your budget stretch further, you can buy a ticket to 7 different attractions in and around Beaulieu.

If the weather takes a turn, you can spend a few hours in the National Motor Museum and enjoy one of the UK’s finest collection of vehicles, including classic Sunbeams and rare Aston Martins.

Southsea Beach stretches between Portsmouth and Eastney on Hampshire’s southern coast. Excellent for groups and families, the mostly shingle beach has 2 different leisure piers with a host of attractions. Clarence Pier has a collection of classic funfair rides like rollercoasters, a Ferris wheel, and games arcades. Further to the east, Southsea Pier is more relaxed and features several restaurants, cafes, and an ice cream parlour.

Just behind the beach is a canoe lake, which is popular throughout the summer. You can also try your hand at crazy golf. Southsea town is less than 1 mile from the coast and has several popular attractions, including the D-Day Museum and the Blue Reef Aquarium.

Highclere Castle is a 17th-century country manor that became world-famous as the setting of the television show, Downton Abbey. Set within 5,000 acres of grounds that were designed by the legendary landscape architect, Capability Brown.

This stunning manor has had a varied history. As well as playing host to British royals and international movie sets, the castle became a hospital for wounded soldiers during WWI. You can explore the house and grounds on a guided tour throughout the summer. For a luxurious treat, book a table for afternoon tea in the dining room with full butler service. The Battle Proms is an annual festivity that takes place in July. If you want to enjoy this classical music and fireworks extravaganza, you should book ahead of time.

Exbury Gardens makes a great summer day out in Hampshire when the flowers are in full bloom and the well-manicured gardens are alive with bursts of colour. You can walk around the gardens or take the 1.5-mile miniature steam train that runs every 45 minutes throughout the day. Parts of the site close throughout the winter, but from spring onwards all of the flower gardens and woodland trails are open to the public.

After you’ve explored the rock garden and dragonfly pond, you can enjoy a picnic or head to the tearoom for a hot meal. As you stroll around Exbury Gardens, you’ll find many benches and seats overlooking the lush flowerbeds and trees. 

Jane Austen's House Museum gives some fascinating context to the acclaimed Victorian writer's life and times. She spent the last 8 years of her life in this country cottage, with many of her best-known novels produced here. You can see 1st editions of some of Austen’s novels and many of her personal items, including clothes and jewellery. Once you’ve toured the house, stop in the manicured garden for a cup of tea, which is included in the admission fee.

Jane Austen's House Museum is in Chawton, a small Hampshire village full of charming, thatched cottages, and historic structures that date as far back as the 13th century. The house itself is a Grade II-listed building, serving as a great example of 13th-century architecture.