Visit Hamphire
Catergories: ActivitiesEventsthings to do

Looking to try something new in 2025? Take on a new challenge in Hampshire.

From tests of skill and endurance to opportunities for the whole family to have fun together, we’ve put together some top challenges and adventures to try in Hampshire in 2025.

  1. Reach the finish line for the 10th anniversary of the ABP Southampton Marathon on 6 April 2025 with 5km, 10km, half marathon, or the full marathon to choose from plus a fun run open to all ages.
     
  2. Brave the big seven rollercoasters, plus the new Ghostly Manor attraction opening in May 2025, at Paultons Park.

  1. 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.
     
  2. Lean back and enjoy the view from the top of the 100-metre-high Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth with an unforgettable abseiling experience.
     
  3. Go Ape and climb, jump, swing, and zip your way through the treetops at Alice Holt ForestMoors Valley Country Park, or Itchen Valley Country Park.

  1. Lace up your running shoes on 19 October 2025 for the Great South Run in Portsmouth taking in the city’s sights along the 10-mile route. 

  1. Take a wholesome dip with a cold water swim at one of Hampshire’s wild swimming spots.
     
  2. Take to the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding at Calshot Activities Centre in Southampton or the Alpine Snowsports Centre in Aldershot.
     
  3. Climb the spiralling steps to the top of Winchester Cathedral for a historic tower tour for magnificent views of the city.
     
  4. Explore the New Forest National Park by bike with over 100 miles of waymarked off-road cycling routes for all levels.

  1. Solve the puzzles and unravel the clues to master an escape room like The Real Escape in Portsmouth or Exciting Escapes in Basingstoke.

  1. 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.
     
  2. Bounce your way through the world's biggest inflatable 5K obstacle course at the Inflatable 5K Southampton on 12 July 2025.
     
  3. Experience the amazing sensation of flying with iFly Indoor Skydiving! In Basingstoke.
     
  4. 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.
     
  5. Paddle out on Hampshire waters with a stand-up paddleboarding adventure along the county’s coastline, waterways, or rivers.
     
  6. Try your hand at archery with New Forest Activities or explore the Beaulieu River in an open Canadian-style canoe.
     
  7. 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.
     
  8. Whizz down the flumes and make a splash at the Basingstoke Aquadrome at Basingstoke Leisure Park.
     
  9. Hop aboard at a world-famous boating destination and sail along Hampshire’s coastline exploring the county’s countless marinas and natural harbours.
     
  10. Learn to scuba dive at Andark Lake – Hampshire’s purpose-built inland diving lake.
     
  11. Defend and explore Anglo-Saxon Winchester at 878 AD, the city’s immersive virtual reality experience.
     
  12. Dive right in and overcome the obstacles at the inflatable aqua park at the New Forest Water Park.
     
  13. Test your off-road bike skills at Queen Elizabeth Country Park’s mountain bike trails.
     
  14. 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 2025, share your photos with us on our InstagramTwitter, or Facebook pages and tag us in your pics by using #VisitHampshire.

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Related

ABP Southampton Marathon
Sporting Event
ABP Southampton Marathon Event

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!

Go Ape - Alice Holt
Adventure Park / Playground
Go Ape at Alice Holt Forest

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.

Go Ape - Moors Valley
Adventure Park / Playground
Go Ape at Moors Valley

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.

Go Ape - Southampton
Adventure Park / Playground
Go Ape at Itchen Valley

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
Leisure & Activity Centres
Calshot Activities Centre velodrome
Alpine Snowsports Centre Aldershot
Sports Ground
Alpine Snowsports Centre Aldershot

Welcome to the Alpine Snowsports Centre offering a number of different Snowsports and fun activities for all ages.

Great South Run
Run / Rally
Great South Run

The world's premier 10-mile running event is returning to Portsmouth in October 2025.

Paultons Theme Park Home of Peppa Pig World
Theme Park
Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park

Paultons - 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.

iFLY Indoor Skdyiving Basingstoke
Family Fun & Activities
iFLY Indoor Skdyiving Basingstoke

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
Sports Ground
Family Canoeing with New Forest Activities

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 Motorsports Centre
Driving
Thruxton Motorsports Centre

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
Leisure / Swimming Pool
Basingstoke Leisure Park

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.

Basingstoke Leisure Park
Leisure & Activity Centres
Basingstoke Leisure Park

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
Swimming
Andark Lake

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.

878 AD Step into Anglo Saxon Winchester
Experiences
878 AD fiery night on the projection

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
Water Based Activities
New Forest Water Park

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.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Country / Royal Park
Mountain Biking at Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Lainston House
Boutique Hotel
Lainston House Hotel

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.

Winchester Cathedral
Cathedral / Minister
Winchester Cathedral

Nestled in the heart of Hampshire, one of Southern England's most historic buildings, Winchester Cathedral boasts centuries of English heritage, magnificent architecture, priceless treasures and works of art.

The Real Escape
Quirky
Logo for The Real Escape

The Real Escape is a unique live exit game. Locked in a room, you must solve hidden clues to find a way out. Getting in is easy; can you find a way out together?

Exciting Escapes Basingstoke
Escape Room
Exciting Escapes Portsmouth

Exciting Escapes bring the thrilling world of Escape Room adventures to Hampshire, with 60 minutes of adventure for teams of family, friends and colleagues.