Top parks in Hampshire

If you have little ones that need to burn off some excess energy, then you’ll find plenty of play parks and play areas across Hampshire. Here, we’ve put together details of some of the best parks by area in Hampshire. Discover parks near you and plan your next day’s adventure. 

Parks near me in Andover

Charlton Lakes

On the outskirts of Andover, you’ll find Charlton Lakes. A popular area for walking and recreation, little ones will love the play area partially set within a sand pit. During the summer, a water feature is turned on, offering children the chance for messy play with sand and water. Don’t forget your bucket and spade!  

Picket Twenty

For older children, the Canopy Tower play area on Picket Twenty (near the sports pavilion) offers the chance to climb up high and look out across the surrounding area. The estate is also served by some smaller play areas for younger children too. 

Parks near me in Basingstoke

Eastrop Park

Just a short stroll from Basingstoke’s Festival Place shopping centre will lead you to Eastrop Park. 

Awarded the prestigious Green Flag status, this park offers a boating lake, a children’s play area and a paddling pool (open from spring) that’s great for cooling off in on those warm days. 

Beggarwood Park

Another great play area in Basingstoke is Beggarwood Park. Another Green Flag status area – this park has both toddler and junior play areas and a timber wild zone. A seasonal café can be found at the nearby community centre. 

Parks near me in Portsmouth and Southsea

Portsmouth and Southsea are home to several parks and play areas. Popular ones include:

Canoe Lake, Southsea

With boating lake and sand pit/water play area, Canoe Lake’s play area is a great spot in Southsea. Older children will love the zip wire here too. 

Buckland Adventure Playground

Open at selected times during term time and school holidays, Buckland Adventure Playground offers supervised play sessions for children aged 6-13. Younger children are also welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. 

Southsea Common play area

Close by to Clarence Pier and all of its attractions, Southsea Common play area is a small but fun area for children to let off steam. 

Parks near me in Romsey

War Memorial Park

Situated beside the River Test, this Green Flag park has a small play area and football area for children. It’s also free to play tennis in the park, The Park Café lends out balls and rackets. 

Braishfield 

Just outside Romsey, in the village of Braishfield, you’ll find a nice play area beside the village hall and community coffee shop.

Parks near me in Southampton

Southampton Common

The Nature Play area in Southampton Common is a large play area with plenty of equipment. Bring your buckets and spades and enjoy endless fun in the sandpits. There’s seating nearby so it’s ideal for a picnic spot and at peak times such as weekends and school holidays, you are likely to find an ice cream van there too. 

Royal Victoria Country Park

Located near the Cedar Rooms Café, the play areas are suitable for toddlers upwards. It also offers several pieces of accessible play equipment for children with different physical needs.
Added to this, there’s lots of lawns to run around on, a fairy garden to explore and stretches of the Solent Way to walk along, where you skirt Southampton Water. 

Itchen Valley Country Park

At Itchen Valley Country Park, there’s a play area suitable for under nines which is situated directly behind the visitor centre and a larger, adventure style play area for fourteen years and under which can be found on High Hill Field.

Connecting the two is the Play Trail (suitable for pushchairs), which is made up of a series of animal sculptures for children to play on.

Parks near me in Winchester

Winchester Abbey Gardens

A short stroll from the High Street will lead you to Winchester Abbey Gardens play park. Revamped in 2023, this play area offers accessible play equipment so as many children as possible can enjoy spending time here. 

Parks near me in the New Forest 

Lepe Country Park

With its beautiful beach and great walking trails, Lepe Country Park offers a packed day out for the family. You’ll also find an adventure play area, sensory garden and boardwalk with rubbings to uncover. 

Moors Valley Country Park

This extensive woodland country park has multiple play areas on its play trail as well as a large play area located nearby to the main car park and visitor centre.

Moors Valley Country Park also offers other paid for activities including Go Ape, the miniature railway and bike hire. 

Ashurst recreation ground 

Developed by the New Forest National Park Authority as a wild play area. Balance on logs, build dens and make mud pies and most of all, connect with nature here. 

Parks near me in the South Downs

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

There are many opportunities to play at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. With an area suitable for over 8s, one for younger visitors and an assault course for those looking for even more of a challenge. 

Petersfield Heath & Pond

A short stroll from Petersfield centre will see you to Petersfield Heath and Pond. The children’s play area here overlooks the 22-acre pond (which is more like a lake – you can boat on it too!). Drinks, snacks and ice creams can be purchased from the Heath Kiosk. 

Looking for more inspiration on what to do with children in Hampshire?

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