Find Flashes along Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal
One of the surprises hiding along the Basingstoke Canal are flashes – one minute you are walking along a narrow canal and the next, a beautiful lake known as a flash.
Discover Locks and Play Areas along the Basingstoke Canal
This beautiful walk along the Basingstoke Canal has the added bonus of three play areas, three locks and plenty of ducks! Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal
Explore the Basingstoke Canal Centre, Mytchett
Don’t be fooled by the Basingstoke Canal Centre’s unassuming appearance – it’s a convenient gateway to the beautiful Basingstoke Canal, complete
Marvel at the Deepcut Flight on Section 4, Basingstoke Canal
Arguably the most interesting stretch of the Basingstoke Canal, this walking or cycle route takes you past 11 of the huge locks that lift the canal 100 feet in just 2 miles
Basingstoke Canal Centre Play Area, Mytchett
As well as all the activities on offer, the Basingstoke Canal Centre has a small wooden play area with a circular obstacle course. You can also walk along the
Find Witch Bottles and a Cockatrice at Andover Museum
Have you ever heard of a cockatrice? How about witch bottles? Or a hill fort? These are all on display at Andover Museum, along with exhibits about Iron Age
Ride in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Beaulieu, New Forest
Beaulieu is home to all things with motors – everything from famous motors and racing motors, to model motors and vintage motors. You can race model motors at
Discover Medieval Warfare at Corfe Castle, Wareham
Sitting high on a hill, Corfe Castle guards a gap in the Purbeck Hills, and is a fun castle to explore. Corfe Castle dates back to about 1066 and the Norman invasion of England.
Chuff, Chuff, Chuff to Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway
It’s not often you are given the chance to visit the 1940s but a trip on Swanage Railway is one of those occasions! This full-size heritage railway operates a range
Kestrel Corner Play Area at Polesden Lacey, Near Dorking
There are two places to play at Polesden Lacey – Kestrel Corner Play Area and the play areas scattered amongst the trees lining the paths. Kestrel Corner Play Area
Play Around at Polesden Lacey, Near Dorking
Once described as a ‘delicious house’ by the Queen Mother, Polesden Lacey is a gorgeous place to spend a day, with plenty of places to play and picnic.
Find Wellington at Wellesley Woodlands, Aldershot
Wellington watches over the start of Wellesley Woodlands’ brass rubbing trail, which leads you through the woods to 10 different posts and a WW1 firing wall complete
Climb to the Hill Fort on Holmbury Hill, Surrey Hills
From the top of Holmbury Hill you can see London’s towers, Gatwick Airport, the South Downs and even the glistening sea. It’s only a five minute walk from the car
Paddle Amongst the Ruins of Chilworth Gunpowder Mills
Scattered along the River Tillingbourne at Chilworth are what remains of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills. Today the area has been reclaimed by nature and
Find Fairies and Fossils at Lepe Country Park, Exbury
Lepe Country Park is one of those rare places where you can fill an entire day with everything or nothing! If you need an energy busting day then plan on paddling,
Find Fossils and a World-Class Sunset at Bracklesham Bay
Bracklesham Bay is probably the place we love to visit the most. As the tide falls, a huge stretch of sand opens up and you can find fossils just lying on the beach
Walk to Hurst Castle along Hurst Spit, Lymington, New Forest
Hurst Spit is a shingle bank that juts into the Solent, linking Keyhaven and Hurst Castle. It has beautiful views out towards the Isle of Wight and along the Hampshire coast.
Take the Ferry to Hurst Castle, Lymington, New Forest
Hurst Castle is an artillery fort that was built in the 16th century by Henry VIII to protect the Solent, Southampton and Portsmouth. It is one of the best preserved
Hunt for Fossils at Highcliffe Beach, Christchurch
With spectacular views, stretches of sand and clay full of fossils, it’s not hard to understand why we love Highcliffe beach. When we arrived the sun
Pilot the Cody Flyer at the Farnborough Air Sciences Museum
Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum celebrates Farnborough’s aviation heritage and is home to aeroplanes, helicopters, rocket parts, giant wind tunnels*
Follow the River Wey to Ruins, Locks and a Waterfall, Pyrford
This tranquil stretch of the River Wey offers you a choice of walks – in one direction is Newark Lock and the ruins of Newark Priory and in the other is Papercourt Lock
Conquer Soldier’s Ring and Crooksbury Hill, Near Farnham
Crooksbury Hill is guarded by Soldier’s Ring, an ancient hill fort now hidden by woodland. Climbing the hill is a mini-adventure. The steep paths rise through
Step Back in Time at Waverley Abbey, Farnham
The picturesque ruins of Waverley Abbey are surrounded by open fields, the River Wey and a small lake, which is home to herons, ducks and swans. Some of the
Brave the Water Maze at Hever Castle, Near Tonbridge
Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. It’s a picturesque castle that has everything a castle should have – a drawbridge, a moat
Find a Secret Passage into the Hever Castle Adventure Play Area
Hever Castle has a fabulous adventure play area centred around a huge wooden castle – can you find the secret passage into the castle, dodge the knights,
Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area, Old Windsor
The Runnymede Pleasure Grounds play area is on the banks of the River Thames alongside a splash pad, amusements, boat tour stops, and a cafe. It is a great
Commemorate the Struggle for Freedom at Runnymede
The water-meadows of Runnymede are where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215, taking a step towards freedom and modern democracy. They are also home
Play by the Thames at Runnymede Pleasure Grounds
Runnymede Pleasure Grounds is on the banks of the River Thames and has a play area, splash pad, amusements, boat trips, and a cafe. It is a great place to begin
Defend Your Grain on the Danebury Hill Fort Story Trail, Andover
“Danger at Danebury Hill Fort” is a story trail that helps you to explore Danebury Hill Fort, imagine yourself living there during the Iron Age, then role play defending against
Storm and Conquer Danebury Hill Fort, Near Andover
About 2,500 years ago, Danebury Hill Fort was a series of earthen ramparts, ditches and gateways protecting a central area. As you can imagine, it has a spectacular location
Play by Jane Austen’s House at Chawton Recreation Ground
Shady Chawton Recreation Ground is the perfect place to play after a visit to Jane Austen’s House, which is just over the road. The play equipment includes swings,
Follow in the Footsteps of Elizabeth I at Hatfield House
Elizabeth I is one of my favourite historical figures so I was always going to love Hatfield House. This is where Elizabeth grew up, spent periods of house arrest,
Search for Sculptures at Tout Quarries, Portland
At Tout Quarries, sculptures are hiding around every corner – and when I say hiding, I mean hiding! We have visited twice and still haven’t found every sculpture.
Stand in Dinosaur Footprints at Spyway, Swanage
No one believed me when I announced we were going on a mission to discover dinosaur footprints at a place called Spyway. Our mission took us through
Experience a Bygone Era at Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot
We were surprised by how much there is to see at Didcot Railway Centre. As well as two operational railway lines and a science exhibition, there is a turntable
Bring Fossils to Life at The Etches Collection, Kimmeridge Bay
150 million years ago, the Dorset coast was a shallow, tropical sea patrolled by huge marine reptiles, predators and fish. All that remains today are fossils, which
Rock Pool, Fossil Hunt and Snorkel at Kimmeridge Bay
I love everything about Kimmeridge Bay – the picturesque drive from the main road, the views out across the bay, the fossils hidden in the cliffs and along the beach
The Stansted Park Play Area, Havant, Portsmouth
Stansted Park has a wooden play area inside the Walled Garden and next to the cafe so the children can play while you eat. The play area has equipment that includes
Beat the Maze at Stansted Park, Havant, Portsmouth
Stansted Park is one of those places that is a series of mini-adventures: an elegant house to explore, expansive parkland to discover and beautiful gardens
Marvel at the Model Railways at Pendon Museum, Abingdon
Pendon Museum houses model railways showing scenes from England during the 1920s and 1930s, some real and some imagined. The level of detail
Follow the Zig-Zag Path up to Explore Selbourne Common
Climbing the Zig-Zag path to Selbourne Common feels like ascending to a magical woodland world, hidden away in the treetops from everyone but you.
Roll With It at Basildon Park, Pangbourne
I first fell in love with Basildon Park whilst watching Mr Bingley gaze longingly after Jane Bennet from the house’s balcony in the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice.
Man the Cannon at Redan Hill Fort, Aldershot
Aldershot is home to the British Army so it is fitting that it has a recreation area complete with a reconstructed fort and a 32-pounder cannon and the nearby
Time Travel Along the Royal Victoria Country Park Story Trail, Netley
Royal Victoria Country Park has a story trail along which you follow Professor Nutrino, a Time Agent, as she battles to fix a tear in time… with a little help from your children.
Wander the Woods of Standen House, East Grinstead
From its hillside position, Standen House watches over flowering gardens, Sussex countryside and acres of woodland. Standen is an unusual house
Discover Wizard Wix at Hatchlands Park, Near Guildford
Hatchlands Park is an ideal venue for a wild adventure with rolling parkland, hidden geocaches and a natural play area complete with a wooden tree house, fairy doors and an obstacle course.
Explore the Gorgeous Grounds of Nymans, Near Crawley
The atmospheric ruins of Nymans overlook rolling countryside from the top of a hill. Beautifully manicured gardens surround the house and were
Step Back in Time at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke
Milestones Museum is an indoor outdoor experience that recreates the streets of the past complete with cobbles and tramlines, workshops and stations, buses
Take in the Views at Uppark House and Garden, Petersfield
The views at Uppark are beautiful, whether looking towards the house or away from it. The house has stunning symmetry and colour as well as spectacular views
Help Forgetful Henry Along the Odiham Castle Story Trail
A ruined, medieval castle and the beautiful Basingstoke Canal seemed the perfect settings to try another one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails*.