50 things to do this summer in Hampshire 2025

Sandy toes, fabulous festivals, balmy evenings, and outdoor fun – it feels like summer! Read on for beach bucketloads of ideas and inspiration for how to enjoy those warm summer days and nights here in Hampshire.

1. Dance the day and night away at a summer festival like CarFest South 2025 with dazzling cars, showbiz stars, wellbeing activities, and family festivities over the August bank holiday weekend.

2. Get spooky on the new Ghostly Manor ride at Paultons Park.

3. Celebrate the release of Downton Abbey 3 (The Grand Finale) with a visit to the real Downton Abbey in Hampshire at Highclere Castle. 

4. Wriggle sand between your toes with a beach day beside the pretty huts at Milford on Sea.

5. Take on an inflatable obstacle water course at the New Forest Water Park or Lymington Seawater Baths.

6. Revel in the eclectic fun of the UK’s longest-running festival of outdoor arts at the Winchester Hat Fair.

7. Have a traditional seaside day out in Southsea – amble along the promenade, stroll down the South Parade Pier, or have a picnic on Southsea Common.

8. Visit Jane Austen’s Hampshire in the author’s 250^th year with a Jane Austen inspired day out.

9. Eat alfresco at one of the county’s pub gardens or best places to eat or drink outdoors in Hampshire.

10. Plan a city break in Southampton, Portsmouth, or Winchester and soak up culture, history, and al fresco eating.

11. Roll out your picnic blanket at a picturesque outdoor picnic spot like beside the Beaulieu River at Buckler’s Hard.

12. Savour the flavour at a Hampshire food festival or event like the Winchester Foodies Festival in July.

13. Sleep under a starlit sky at one of Hampshire’s campsites or glamping sites.

14. Witness the exhilarating action of SailGP’s fast and furious racing at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth in July.

15. Make a splash and take to the water with watersports in Hampshire.

16. Take in the drama of outdoor theatre at Beaulieu, Houghton Lodge, The Vyne, Hinton Ampner, or Stansted Park.

17. Stroll amongst the vivacious and herbaceous purple Lavendar Fields in Alton.

18. SUP and sip with a paddleboard to the pub outing.

19. Raise a glass during English Wine Week at the Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest or  visit a Hampshire vineyard to learn about and taste the county’s award-winning sparkling wine.

20.  Take your bucket and bait to one of the best places to go crabbing in Hampshire for a claw-some day out.

21. Go butterfly spotting at the St Catherine's Hill Nature Reserve and walk to the top for showstopping views of Winchester.

22. See in the summer solstice sunrise from the highest point in Hampshire in the South Downs National Park with the Summer Solstice Dusk-till-Dawn Walk at Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

23. Splish and splosh at outdoor swimming pools and splash parks.

24. Have a sweet day out with a spot of strawberry picking.

25. Feel the need for speed with Thruxton Circuit’s racing events including the British Truck Racing Championship in July and British Superbikes in August.

26. Follow a summer trail like the Little People, BIG DREAMS® Trail at The Vyne and The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Trail at Hinton Ampner.

27.  Explore some of Hampshire’s glorious gardens in their summer prime, like Exbury and Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.

28. Have a Day out with Thomas and take a ride on a steam train through the lush green fields beside The Watercress Line. 

29. See the world-famous collection of cars at Beaulieu, Home of the National Motor Museum including the Icons of Formula 1 celebrating 75 years of the World Championships.

30. Pass the popcorn for some outdoor cinema at Stansted Park.

31. Lido back and enjoy the water with a swim in Petersfield Heated Open Air Pool.

32. Visit a vibrant sunflower field and take the perfect Instagram pic amongst the lofty blooms.

33. Shop the designer brands at outlet prices at Gunwharf Quays followed by lunch or dinner at one of the waterside restaurants.

34. Pick up some tasty treats from a city bakery and have a picnic with Winchester Cathedral as your magnificent backdrop.

35. Celebrate 70 years of the iconic Steamship Shieldhall with a special sailing on the Solent.

36. Seek shade in the woodland of the New Forest National Park and meet the resident ponies grazing amongst the late summer purple heather.

37.  Delight in your favourite scoop at one of Hampshire’s top ice cream spots.

38. Have a Hampshire summer holiday in a coast and countryside National Park With New Forest Cottages.

39. Cool down in a canoe with an expedition on the tranquil Beaulieu River with New Forest Activities.

40. Be surrounded by botanical beauty at one of Hampshire’s fairytale flower fields.

41. Sizzle your sausages in stunning surroundings by hiring a BBQ at Queen Elizabeth, Lepe, or Royal Victoria Country Park.

42.  Stay chilled as the summer hots up one of the coolest places to stay with a pool in Hampshire.

43. Create cooling cocktails and discover the botanicals behind the gin at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery.

44. Soak up the county’s coastline at a waterside country park – try Lepe, River Hamble Country Park, or Royal Victoria Country Park.

45. Take a trip to Hayling Island: cycle or walk the Hayling Billy Coastal Path or sit on the Blue Flag beach with an ice cream.

46. Witness world-class cricket action at Utilita Bowl and stay with a night at Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl.

47. Find your zen with wild wellness experiences in Hampshire to nourish your body and soul or keep cool with some wild swimming.

48.  Pedal into longer evenings with a beautiful bike ride – try the Little Switzerland Cycle Route near Winchester, the Test Valley Circular, or the South Downs Way National Trail.

49.  Go to the Southampton Boat Show and step aboard some of the UK’s most exclusive yachts and motorboats.

50.  Sing your heart out at the Last Night of the Proms at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.

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