Blog (August 2026) - Visit Hampshire

Step into autumn with a stunning seasonal walk; take in the gorgeous golden tones, collect conkers along the way, and feel the satisfying crunch of leaves beneath your feet.

Read our guide to beautiful autumnal walks in Hampshire.  

As the leaves turn to rich reds and nature prepares its breathtaking finale of the year, autumn brings an abundance of opulent colour to Hampshire’s gardens which glimmer in the low golden sunshine this time of the year – here are five of our faves.

From challenging off-road rides to scenic countryside roads, these autumn cycle routes will have you wheeling under golden canopies of leaves, and most can be shortened into smaller and more leisurely route segments for easier adventures.

Walking and pubs make the perfect pairing and never more so than in autumn when warm greetings and cosy food welcome you in from the crisp autumnal air after a wholesome hike.

With summer gradually ebbing away, your Hampshire adventures need not stop. As autumn approaches, you'll find plenty of cosy places to stay for a night or two. Spend your days exploring Hampshire's autumn landscapes, from crunching through fallen leaves on a countryside walk to sampling some of the county's finest local food and drink. Then, retreat to a cosy cottage, luxury hotel, glamping stay or country inn at the end of the day.

Christmas can be an expensive time of year, but keeping everyone entertained over the festive break doesn’t have to cost a fortune. From winter walks and twinkling Christmas lights to free museums, festive events and days out in the great outdoors, there are plenty of free things to do in Hampshire over the Christmas holidays.

Discover 24 of the best things to do in Hampshire this Christmas 2026, from Christmas markets and light trails to Santa visits, pantomimes and festive family days out.

Illuminate your imagination with neon trains, glowing gardens, and twinkling woodland – these winter light trails in Hampshire are sure to bring beaming smiles all around, just add hot chocolate and woolly hats.

Step into Christmas with these festive light switch on celebrations and events taking place in Hampshire's cities and towns this November and December.

Whether you are looking for a multi-generational festive break or a romantic and cosy Christmas break for two, there is a wide range of choice when it comes to Christmas and New Year breaks here in Hampshire. We’ve cherrypicked some festive break ideas which will no doubt make your Christmas stay in Hampshire a special one.  

Many people will have seen the news and images of the ongoing wildfire in the New Forest, which has affected heathland to the north of Ringwood and resulted in the closure of the A31. Discover ways in which you can support businesses in the New Forest National Park. 

Get your skates on, ice rink season is here! Nothing says winter wonderland like gliding across a sparkling ice skating rink with friends. From frozen pop-ups to permanent ice-covered surfaces, Hampshire has a great selection of places to lace up those skates and take to the ice.