Hampshire - ideas for days out please!

Lilacblue

Hi All

I am off to the New Forest next week with my 4 year old and 7 year old. We are on a caravan site near Ringwood, but I know that three days in I'll be needing to escpae and get out for the day with them!

Does anyone know this part of the world? I'd rather avoid Bournemouth/Poole (because the roads really confuse me if I'm honest!!) and we did Beaulieu last time when we just did a weekend. That was ok for an afternoon but, as we all know, the costs soon add up!

By the way, one thing they did at Beaulieu which DRIVES ME WILD is this...you pay your admission charge then they say 'and would you like to buy a guide?'. Now as it turned out, you don't really need any kind of guide for Beaulieu but I've been to places where it's been necessary. Is it just me or is it reeeeeally annoying? We just paid to get in! We don't want to pay again for the option of being able to find our way around!

Anyway, back to Hampshire. In the rain (or hopefully not). Ideas would be gratefully received. Is Paultons Park any good?

Thanks all x
Thanks all.

esmf73

Hi, I live down here. There are lots of things - one thing is Intech Science Centre at Winchester which is very hands on and full of things that the children can DO. Tank museum at Bovington isn't far away and there is Monkey world just down the road from it.

Not far away is the Fleet Air Arm museum which is great and there is the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop near Andover. obviously being Hampshire and Army country there are lots of Army museums and the like.

Alternatively why not get a cheap day return to London and go round the museums - Science & National History museums are free of charge and full of things that can be touched. Even Cheaper if you take a picnic.

Lilacblue

Blimey esmf73...do you work for the Hampshire Tourist Board? if you don't then you should be!!:D Thanks for the tips. We've been to the Tank Museum last year and I was quite surprised at how great it is...much better than expected.

I'll spend a bit of time oogling these places tonight. Thanks again x

pompeyrich

Moors Valley Country Park, HERE might be of interest, just up the road from Ringwood. Paultons, is no Alton Towers but a good for younger children.

Ponkle22

Was just about to post the same thing - another vote for Moor Valley Country Park - its fab for the age of your kids - mine loved it when younger! Look it up on the net. You can spend a whole day there - there is a cafe or take a picnic.

Not one to be missed.

Sagz_2

How about Marwell? There's a 'kids go free' voucher on their site for March.

I haven't been for several years but used to be a great day out.

KeithP

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. HMS Victory, Mary Rose etc.

May be a bit far from New Forest though.

Day trip to the Isle of Wight from Lymington or Southampton.

kevandkeira

Paultons is fab, my sons (6 & 8) love it there. You didn't post what date your going, but if you have a look they have a few events on that might coincide with your stay:
http://www.paultonspark.co.uk/events/events.html
Also another vote for moors valley, although parking was quite expensive.

esmf73

Lilac - if you still have your receipt from last year, you'll get in free, provided it is not more than a year since you went there. Its great for boys.

susieb

Another vote for moor valley and also intech, we thought intech was fantastic and spent the whole day there.
There is also a fantastic swimming complex with loads of flumes on called waterworld near poole.
Or go to lymington and take a trip to the isle of wight

davetrousers

Fort Nelson in Fareham is Free, 5 mins from J11 of M27, could be incorporated into a jaunt to Portsmouth.

19th Century Fort on top of Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth.