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Make way for marvellous May, with two bank holidays and a half term holiday, this month is action-packed! Here are our top picks of what’s on and things to do in Hampshire this May.
Walk this May
May is National Walking Month so what better way to celebrate the long weekend than by stepping out on a wonderful walk?
Explore the South Downs with the Alton Walking Festival which runs for the whole month, stroll from Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard and have a riverside picnic, try the pretty Jane Austen Circular Walk, or follow the coast on the Solent Way.
Get creative at MADE Winchester Craft and Design Festival
Make this May creative at the MADE Winchester Craft and Design Festival at Winchester Cathedral, which will bring together 100 of the UK's finest makers and designers from 7 to 9 May 2026.
Winchester Cathedral’s Inner Close will be transformed for the weekend into a vibrant festival of craft, design, and creativity with talented makers showcasing and selling their creations, plus free group art and craft activities for all ages, makers' talks and discussions, short courses and masterclasses, and a catering and picnic area on the Inner Close lawn.
Catch an outdoor movie at the Aviator
Enjoy May’s long evenings by catching an outdoor movie at the Aviator in Farnborough when the hotel’s Screen on the Lawn returns from 22 to 24 May 2026 with showings of Pretty Woman (22 May), Zootropolis 2 (23 May), F1: The Movie (23 May), and Grease (24 May).
Brave the new land of Valgard: Realm of the Vikings at Paultons Park
Adventure awaits at Paultons Park as one of Hampshire’s biggest new attractions – Valgard: Realm of the Vikings – launches on 16 May 2026.
This bold new themed land will transport visitors into a dramatic Viking world featuring new thrilling rides, including the intertwined rollercoasters of Drakon and Raven, and the UK’s first epic ‘Vild Swing’ ride.
Have a Day Out With Thomas at The Watercress Line
Day Out With Thomas™: Let's Rock, Let's Roll Tour is hitting the tracks at The Watercress Line this May half term from 23 to 31 May 2026.
As well as steam train rides on Thomas, there will be live shows and music, a Thomas & Friends™ character hunt, garden games and plenty of music-inspired fun. There will also be two new Rusty & Dusty outdoor entertainment shows with Sir Topham Hatt, Percy, Diesel and Toad.
Tuck into The Big Eat at Royal Victoria Country Park
Free and food-filled festival The Big Eat returns to Royal Victoria Country Park from 23 to 26 May 2026, showcasing the best food and drink in Hampshire across three days over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend with an enjoyable side dish of entertainment and live music.
Get growing at the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair at Beaulieu
Get some springspiration for your gardening at the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair at Beaulieu taking place on the early May bank holiday weekend from 1 to 3 May 2026. Set in the beautiful grounds of Beaulieu, the Spring Fair includes stunning gardens to see and floral displays from top nurseries. Plus, expert advice live on stage from Gardeners' World presenters, shopping, food & drink, and entertainment.
Experience the British Truck Racing Championship at Thruxton Circuit
Experience the excitement of the British Truck Racing Championship at Thruxton Circuit near Andover on 16 and 17 May 2026, with spectacular racing and a weekend of family-friendly entertainment both on and off the track. Fans will also have the chance to meet the stars of the show during a driver autograph session and get up close to the trucks themselves with an unforgettable grid walk experience.
Meet the Dinosaurs! Trail & Show at Birdworld
Roaring into Birdworld for May half term from 23 May 2026 to 31 May 2026, Meet the Dinosaurs! Trail & Show will see the park taken over by a roaming T. rex, baby dino meet-and-greets, and interactive live shows. There will also be a dinosaur trail to uncover fun facts about these prehistoric creatures.
Bear Hunt - © National Trust Images Arnhel de Serra
Go on a Bear Hunt at The Vyne
Coming to The Vyne near Basingstoke from 16 May to 28 June 2026, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a new sensory trail is inspired by the much-loved picture book and award-winning animation. It is brought to life through a series of interactive installations, mirroring the journey undertaken by the family at the heart of the story. Children can pick up a trail booklet and follow in the characters’ footsteps, roaming through swishy swashy grass, conquering thick oozy mud, braving swirling whirling snowstorms, and tiptoeing through a cave in search of the bear.
Pick a day of leafy fun at the Alresford Watercress Festival
The Alresford Watercress Festival marks the first watercress of the season on 17 May 2026, celebrating the lush crop that flourishes in the town’s surrounding wild watercress beds. The festival brings a fresh crop of May merriment including watercress-themed cooking demonstrations by chefs, and plenty of eating, drinking, and music.
Run to the ABP Southampton Marathon Festival
The 11th ABP Southampton Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K and Fun Run will take place on 3 May 2026 with thousands of runners hitting the streets of Southampton.
Warming things up on Saturday 2 May 2026, a pre-marathon shakeout festival will bring movement and music to Guildhall Square. There’s also a Marathon After Party following the race on Sunday 3 May; a post-race celebration for everyone to enjoy.
Bask in the blooms of a glorious garden
With flowers in full bloom, May is a splendid time to visit one of Hampshire’s gardens. See the famed National Collection of old-fashioned roses coming into flower in Mottisfont’s walled garden near Romsey, a kaleidoscope of colour from the rhododendrons and azaleas at Exbury Gardens in the New Forest, and Pink cherry blossom in the wild garden at The Vyne near Basingstoke.
Unleash some fun at Dogstival
Dogstival, the ultimate festival for dogs and their owners returns to Hampshire on 30 and 31 May 2026, bringing a weekend of canine fun to Burley Park in the New Forest.
Expect boundless fun including pools for the pups to stay cool, tasty eats for dogs and owners alike, agility activities, doggy paddleboarding and even a new skatepark for 2026.
Admire The Art & Craft of Print at Mottisfont
A new exhibition opens at Mottisfont near Romsey from 9 May to 1 November 2026, celebrating the best of British printmaking. Curated in partnership with St Jude’s Prints, The Art & Craft of Print will be the most comprehensive exhibition of print illustration to-date, showcasing the work of 26 major printmakers working in Britain today, including Angie Lewin, Mark Hearld, Emily Sutton and Jonny Hannah. Not only will visitors be able to admire the art, for the first time they will be able to explore the techniques behind the work too.
Let the good times roll at Sham Rocks Music Festival
The Sham Rocks Music Festival returns to New Milton from 15 to 17 May 2026, with a weekend of entertainment from cover and original acts including tributes to Amy Winehouse, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Tom Jones, and ABBA.
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50 things to do this spring in Hampshire
Fancy a May getaway? Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
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Related
Alton is a vibrant Walkers are Welcome Hampshire town which truly has community spirit at its heart. Situated at the source of the River Wey and with a stunning rural backdrop to the gateway of the South Downs National Park, Alton is known by many as 'Jane Austen Country' with its close ties to its charming neighbouring parish of Chawton.
Step into a celebration of contemporary craft, design, and creativity in one of England's most magnificent historic settings. Bringing together around 100 of the UK's finest makers and designers, MADE Winchester transforms Winchester Cathedral and its Inner Close into a vibrant festival of craftsmanship, imagination, and inspiration. Meet talented makers, explore beautiful handcrafted pieces in ceramics, jewellery, textiles, glass, and wood, and enjoy a weekend filled with creativity and community.
Aviator was created by TAG Group as a hotel for elite travellers moving between London and the world's leading destinations. Located in Farnborough, Hampshire, Aviator opened in 2008 as one of the most striking design hotels in recent times.
Visit Paultons Park to make memories to last a lifetime. Home to 5 incredible themed lands including Tornado Springs and Peppa Pig World and with more than 70 exciting rides and attractions on over 140 acres of beautiful grounds, guests of all ages are guaranteed a fun-filled family day out!
All Aboard for a Rockin' Good Time! Day Out With Thomas™: Let's Rock, Let's Roll Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the beat to The Watercress Line. Hop on board a train ride with Thomas, a REAL steam engine, watch the exciting live shows with Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty (that'll have the whole family dancing), join in the Thomas & Friends™ character hunt, have fun with the garden games and keep the beat going at the Music Corner packed with music-inspired fun, plus so much more! Book tickets for your train ride adventure today to enjoy a whole day out, with all the family.
The Big Eat food festival will be returning to Netley in May 2026, after welcoming a whopping 40,000 people to last year’s event. The Big Eat is returning to Royal Victoria Country Park for the fourth consecutive year after securing headline sponsorship from family owned and award-winning motor group Snows Toyota for the second year.
Join us as BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair returns to the stunning grounds of Beaulieu, 1-3 May 2026. Kick off your gardening year in style by joining us for this much-loved show, filled with an abundance of gardening expertise, inspiration and shopping. Soak up seasonal advice with multiple drop-in stages, grow what you know with hands-on workshops and informative garden tours and explore the beautiful grounds of Beaulieu during your visit. Plus, with over 100 exhibitors and over 30 specialist nurseries, bring the ideas already taking root to life with plenty of plants and kit to take home.
Experience the thunder of the mighty racing trucks as they battle wheel-to-wheel around Thruxton for rounds 6-10. Expect spectacular racing and a weekend of family-friendly entertainment both on and off the track. Supporting the BTRC are the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Milltek Civic Cup, VAG Trophy, OT Coupe Cup, MINI Clubsport and Bernie's V8s. Fans will also have the chance to meet the stars of the show during a driver autograph session and get up close to the trucks themselves with an unforgettable grid walk experience.
If you're truly dino-mad! … join us for interactive Dinosaur Shows running for nine days throughout May half-term How to Train your Dinosaur! Come and learn the art of dinosaur training with the help of the mischievous cheeky T.Rex called Baxter who loves exploring and meeting new friends. Despite his sharp teeth, Baxter's favourite treat is delicious triceratops! Also, keep an eye out for our playful Dino Babies. They adore tickles and posing for photos!
We're Going on a Bear Hunt, is coming to The Vyne 16 May – 28 June, 10am-4pm. Get ready to swish, splash and squelch your way through the new sensory trail to find the bear. The much-loved picture book and award-winning animation will be brought to life in the grounds of The Vyne through a series of interactive installations, emulating the journey undertaken by the family at the heart of the story.
The Alresford Watercress Festival returns to the streets of Alresford for 2026.
Join us for the 11th Anniversary of the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K and Fun Run! Taking place on Sunday 3rd May 2026 - 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!
Ancient trees, babbling brooks and rolling lawns frame Mottisfont's 18th-century house with a medieval priory at its heart. There’s space to run, jump and play, and always something for families to do, with activity trails in school holidays and a special family exhibition every summer.
More than 100 years in the making, Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway is a spectacular collection of landscaped woodland, herbaceous, contemporary and formal gardens, in a unique riverside location. Exbury also boasts a narrow-gauge steam railway that travels through the gardens, plus a play area, fantastic restaurant and much more!
The Vyne is a warm, red-bricked Tudor mansion built in the 16th Century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain. It later passed into the hands of the Chute family, who cared for the house and estate for over 300 years. The Vyne was remodelled to its present configuration in the mid-17th Century with the addition of a classical portico and summerhouse, firsts of their kind in England.
On 30th & 31st May, Burley Park once again turns into a full-blown doggy paradise — and yes, it’s as bonkers as it sounds. Think pop-up Beach Resort vibes with palm trees, foam parties, paddling pools, DJs and even a 100-piece Rock Choir. Pack your trunks, and your sunnies, but no need for a passport for this Bark-cation!
New Milton's Fawcetts Fields will again host Sham Rocks Music Festival, highlighting 2025's success for the organisers, performers and the area, and this year – it's back with an extra day AND an extra stage.
