50 things to do this summer in Hampshire 2023

Warm days, long evenings, blue skies, and ice-cream galore – we love summer! And we’ve got beach bucketloads of ideas and inspiration for how to enjoy those summer days and nights here in Hampshire.

1.  Have the ultimate summer adventure with a stay at one of Hampshire’s campsites or glamping sites.

2. Soak up the county’s coastline at a waterside country park – try Lepe, River Hamble Country Park, or Royal Victoria Country Park.

3. Wriggle sand between your toes with a beach day beside the pretty huts at Milford on Sea.

4. Feel the summer sea breeze with some sailing in the Solent. 

5.  Revel in the eclectic fun of the UK’s longest running festival of outdoor arts at the Winchester Hat Fair.

6. Watch the sunset over the South Downs National Park from the highest point in Hampshire at Butser Hill.

7. Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of floral colour at one of Hampshire’s gorgeous gardens. 

8. Mark the Year of the Coast with a walk along the Hampshire section of the England Coast Path – the 60 mile Solent Way.

9. Pick up some delicious delights at a market or deli in England’s ancient capital city and picnic with Winchester Cathedral as your magnificent backdrop.

10. Explore coastline and rivers from the water at one of Hampshire’s top paddleboarding spots like the Basingstoke Canal, River Hamble, or Langstone Harbour.

11. Celebrate 40 years of the UK’s Number 1 Family Theme Park with a visit to Paultons Park.

12. Eat alfresco at one of the county’s pub gardens or best places to eat or drink outdoors in Hampshire.

13. Seek shade in the majestic surroundings of the New Forest National Park.

14.  Dance the night away at a Hampshire festival like CarFest South, Boomtown, or Victorious.

15.  Admire the summer landscape with a nostalgic journey by steam train on The Watercress Line.

16. Witness the action-packed world-class cricket competition The Hundred at The Ageas Bowl and extend your stay with a night at the Hilton at The Ageas Bowl.

17. Snap the perfect summer Instagram pic in a stunning sunflower field at Sunnyfields Farm.

18. Take your bucket and bait to one of the best places to go crabbing in Hampshire for a claw-some day out.

19. Don your best Regency finery and celebrate an era of legendary literature at Jane Austen Regency Week.

20. Sip some of England’s, and the world’s, finest sparkling wine with a visit to a Hampshire vineyard or the Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest.   

21. Have a traditional seaside day out in Southsea – amble along the promenade, stroll down the South Parade Pier, or relax in the green space of Southsea Common.

22. Have a Hampshire summer holiday in your own holiday cottage.

23. Savour a countywide programme of events throughout July celebrating the best of local food and farming with the Hampshire Food Festival.

24. Take in the blue skies with a sunny day out in Hampshire.

25. Get active on the water with windsurfing, sailing, or paddlesports on the lagoon at Calshot Activities Centre.

26. See classic cars arrive at Beaulieu, Home of the National Motor Museum throughout the summer with their celebrated Simply events.

27. Have a waterside lunch at Gunwharf Quays combined with some designer outlet shopping.

28. Roll out your picnic blanket at a picturesque outdoor spot and find the perfect place for a picnic in Hampshire like beside the Beaulieu River at Buckler’s Hard.

29.  Take to the water in a canoe and explore the Beaulieu River with New Forest Activities; see the river in golden light with their stunning sunset chasers paddling tour.

30. Pedal into longer evenings with beautiful bike rides in Hampshire – try the Little Switzerland Cycle Route near Winchester, the Test Valley Circular, or the South Downs Way National Trail.

31. Tee off at a Hampshire golf course with over 80 high quality courses to choose from.

32. Experience world-class opera in a spectacular English country house setting at The Grange Festival.

33. Shake up some summer cocktails and discover the botanicals behind the gin at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery.

34. Cast a line fishing in Hampshire's rivers – some of the purest chalk streams in the country.

35. Have a cuppa and a slice of cake with a visit to an Instragrammable Hampshire café.

36. Take a trip to Hayling Island and enjoy an ice cream whilst watching the windsurfers and kitesurfers.

37. Sizzle your sausages in stunning surroundings by hiring a BBQ at Queen Elizabeth, Lepe or Royal Victoria Country Park.

38. Feast your eyes, and your tastebuds, on the fresh seafood fayre on offer at the  Lymington Seafood Festival with a backdrop of live music and the lovely Lymington Marina.

39. Go to the Southampton Boat Show and see some of the UK’s most exclusive yachts and motorboats.

40. Make the ultimate splash and overcome the obstacles at the inflatable aqua park at the New Forest Water Park.

41. Experience the magic of South Asian arts at the Southampton Mela Festival and join workshops to immersive yourself in the dance, art and music of the event.

42. Spend a summer’s evening with feathered friends at the Hawk Conservancy Trust and see a sunset flying display.  

43.  Escape to the country show at the South Downs Show at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, the New Forest and Hampshire County Show or the Romsey Show.

44.  Go butterfly spotting at the St Catherine's Hill Nature Reserve and walk to the top for showstopping views of Winchester.

45. Rock 'n' roll down to The Nostalgia Show at Broadlands, Romsey and spend the day in a vintage fashion.

46. Plan a city break in Southampton, Portsmouth, or Winchester and soak up culture, history and plenty of places to drink and dine.

47. Become captain for the day with a visit to HMS Warrior and HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the neighbouring Mary Rose.

48. Have a summer Fiesta at Winchester Science Centre’s new seasonal event.

49. Harvest mouthwatering summer strawberries at one of the county’s pick your own farms like Durleighmarsh Farm Shop, Cat and Fiddle, or Pickwell Farm Shop.

50. See tigers, giraffes, rhinos, meerkats and more with a safari at Marwell Zoo.

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