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Looking to try something new in 2024? Take on a new challenge in Hampshire with unforgettable experiences and events taking place across the county throughout the year.
From physical challenges of skill, strength, and endurance, to opportunities for the whole family to have fun together, we’ve curated some top challenges and adventures to take on in Hampshire in 2024.
- Reach the finish line at the ABP Southampton Marathon on 7 April 2024 with 5km, 10km, half marathon, or the full marathon to choose from plus a fun run open to all ages.
- Hike or bike all or part of the 100km South Downs Way crossing the South Downs National Park with incredible views of the south coast countryside.
- Take a wholesome dip with a cold water swim at one of Hampshire’s wild swimming spots.
- Lean back and enjoy the view from the top of the 100-metre-high Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth with an unforgettable abseiling experience.
- Go Ape and climb, jump, swing, and zip your way through the treetops at Alice Holt Forest, Moors Valley Country Park, or Itchen Valley Country Park.
- Take to the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding at Calshot Activities Centre in Southampton or the Alpine Snowsports Centre in Aldershot.
- Lace up your running shoes on 20 October 2024 for the Great South Run in Portsmouth taking in the city’s sights along the 10-mile route.
- Activate the adrenaline and brave the big seven rollercoasters at Paultons Park.
- Explore the New Forest National Park by bike with over 100 miles of waymarked off-road cycling routes for all levels.
- Harness the wind and try windsurfing, kitesurfing, or wing foiling in one of Hampshire’s top wind watersports spots: Calshot, Lepe, Hill Head, Lee-on-Solent, Stokes Bay, or Hayling Island.
- Bounce your way through the world's biggest inflatable 5K obstacle course at the Inflatable 5K Southampton on 20 July 2024.
- Experience the amazing sensation of flying with iFly Indoor Skydiving! In Basingstoke.
- Run off-road in beautiful surroundings at the Garmin UK Trail Running Festival 2024 on 28 April at St Giles House near Ringwood, and the Garmin New Forest Marathon on 8 September 2024 near Brockenhurst.
- Scale the epic climbing wall at Calshot Activities Centre with 1200sqm of climbing, over 250 routes, and a dedicated bouldering wall to challenge your Spiderman skills.
- Paddle out on Hampshire waters with a stand-up paddleboarding adventure along the county’s coastline, waterways, or rivers.
- Try your hand at bushcraft or archery with New Forest Activities or explore the Beaulieu River in an open Canadian-style canoe.
- Take on the track at the UK’s fastest driving circuit: Thruxton Motorsport Centre. Drive a supercar, hone your skills in controlling a sliding car in the fun and safe skid pan, go karting at Thruxton Kart Centre, or learn how to handle a Land Rover at the 4x4 Off-Road Centre.
- Whizz down the flumes and make a splash at the Basingstoke Aquadrome at Basingstoke Leisure Park.
- Hop aboard at a world-famous boating destination and sail along Hampshire’s coastline exploring the county’s countless marinas and natural harbours.
- Learn to scuba dive at Andark Lake – Hampshire’s purpose-built inland diving lake.
- Defend and explore Anglo-Saxon Winchester at 878 AD, the city’s immersive virtual reality experience.
- Dive right in and overcome the obstacles at the inflatable aqua park at the New Forest Water Park.
- Test your off-road bike skills at Queen Elizabeth Country Park’s mountain bike trails.
- Learn some new kitchen skills at a Hampshire cookery school like Lainston House Hotel's Season cookery school.
We’d love to hear what adventures and challenges you’ll be taking part in during 2024, share your photos with us on our Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook pages and tag us in your pics by using #VisitHampshire.
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Related
Join us for the 10th Anniversary of the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K and Fun Run! Taking place on Sunday 6th April 2025 - run with friends, with your club or for a charity. The route takes you round parks, seas and city. Sign up now and join thousands of runners hitting the streets of Southampton!
The iconic Spinnaker Tower stands at a soaring 170 metres tall, offering awe-inspiring 23 mile views over Portsmouth, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. From delicious High Teas to mind-boggling virtual reality, nerve-jangling abseils to magical weddings, there are outstanding experiences for everyone, all set against the most breath-taking of backdrops.
Just 4 miles south of Farnham, and close to Guildford, you can find us in Alice Holt Forest, Surrey. We're just off the A325 - at a place called Bucks Horn Oak. Go Ape at Alice Holt boasts three high ropes experiences. Whether you're looking for things to do nearby with the kids or a day out with friends we have adventure covered. Treetop Adventure and Treetop Adventure Plus are both a one-hour experience aimed at kids and young families. They're popular for birthday parties if you're after a unique celebration.
Located 10 miles north of Bournemouth and 5 miles west of Ringwood, you can find us in Moors Valley Country Park. We're just off Horton Road - near to Ashley Heath and the New Forest. Go Ape Moors Valley hosts five action-packed adventures. Explore the forest on two wheels with our all-terrain Segways or test your nerve amongst the trees on one of three high ropes courses.
Northwest of Southampton, close to Eastleigh, you can find us in the heart of Itchen Valley Country Park. Our Hampshire location plays host to two of our high ropes experiences plus axe throwing. We're just off Allington Lane - close to Southampton airport. Whether you're looking for things to do nearby with the kids or a day out with friends we have adventure covered. Treetop Adventure is a one-hour experience aimed at kids and young families. Treetop Challenge is for those over 1.4 metres tall and is 2-3 hours of high wire obstacles, Tarzan Swings and ziplines. Go Ape Southampton also boasts Axe Throwing - a gripping new experience. If you're looking for action packed fun on the south coast, we're one of the best attractions around.
Calshot Activities Centre offer a wide range of exciting water and land-based activities for all ages and abilities. The historic hangars accommodate the tallest climbing wall in the South, an indoor velodrome, dry slope and so much more.
Welcome to the Alpine Snowsports Centre offering a number of different Snowsports and fun activities for all ages.
The world's premier 10-mile running event is returning to Portsmouth in October 2025.
Paultons is the UK’s Number 1 Family Theme Park — located in Hampshire with over 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park.
Looking for fun things to do in Basingstoke? Whether you're out with the kiddies or a group of friends looking for exciting activities in the area, how about giving flying a go? Strap in for the ride of a lifetime at iFLY Basingstoke Indoor Skydiving, right in the heart of Basingstoke Leisure Park. It’s a top choice for families and friends wanting to experience the exhilaration of flying without jumping out of an actual plane!
New Forest Activities offer a variety of safe and enjoyable activities for families, couples, individuals and groups of all ages and abilities led by expert outdoor instructors. For tours with a difference, take to the water with Canoeing and Kayaking on the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve.
Thruxton is the fastest race circuit in the UK and hosts events as varied as the British Touring Car Championship, Truck racing, British Superbikes and Historic racing.
Basingstoke Aquadrome is a state of the art leisure facility with 3 swimming pools which incorporate attractions for every type of swimmer. The 25 metre pool offers fitness swimmers an unrivaled facility. The 20 metre pool has a moveable floor allowing a whole spectrum of activities to take place and the leisure lagoon has 3 super flume rides, a rapid river, bubble pools, water cannons, a toddler area and other features.
Whether you are looking to spend the day or a quick time out, Basingstoke Leisure Park is packed with activities to enjoy leisure time on your own or with family and friends.
Andark Lake is a purpose built Inland Diving Lake, located in Lower Swanwick, near Southampton, Hampshire on the South Coast of England. Andark’s Diving Lake is specially designed as a training facility for Scuba Diving, whether you are a qualified PADI, BSAC, SSI or SAA or any other recognised diving agency.
In this new, immersive experience, witness the sights and sounds of Anglo-Saxon Winchester and discover the stories of the people who lived there, brought to life with spectacular graphics from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla® and Discovery Tour: Viking Age.
New Forest Water Park is a family run business situated just outside Fordingbridge, on the outskirts of the New Forest. They have several activities running on site, wakeboarding, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and the UK's 1st Aqua Park being. The inflatable Aqua Park now measures in at 80 metres long, 40 metres wide and has 2 trampolines, monkey bars, flippers, slides, hurdles, rockers, rollers, an overhang climbing wall, a swing, a giant iceberg(!) and much more.
With over 2,000 acres of downland and woodland, Queen Elizabeth Country Park is the ideal place to explore, keep fit and enjoy the great outdoors.
A charming 17th century William and Mary country house standing elegantly in 63 acres of Hampshire parkland. Delicate archways and loggias frame the picture perfect entrance and a small amble reveals a beautiful 12th century chapel ruin.
