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With UK heatwaves becoming a regular summer feature, Hampshire has some genuinely brilliant places to stay cool when the temperature climbs, and the best ones go well beyond a scoop of ice cream on the seafront. Whether you are after a splash, some shade, an underground adventure or a refreshing dose of art and culture, here is where to head when the heat is on.
Splash Zones and Water Play: Cool Off in Style
On a truly scorching day, nothing beats getting properly wet. Paultons Park near Romsey has Water Kingdom, a dedicated splash park with over 40 ways to get soaked, from giant tipping buckets to fountains, water jets and super soakers spread across 8,500 square feet of pure, joyful chaos. It runs from late March through to September and is included in the park entry.
Over at Wellington Country Park on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, the Splash Zone is a popular interactive water play area with ground-level fountains and jets that children control themselves by pressing purple buttons. It is included with your day ticket and is great for smaller children who want to cool down without the full-on water park experience.
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Ice Skating in Hampshire: Cool Down on the Ice
If the kids need something a little more dramatic than a paddling pool, Planet Ice in Basingstoke Leisure Park provides a proper change of temperature. Open year-round, the rink welcomes all ages and abilities, from total beginners wobbling around in rental skates to more experienced skaters looking for a proper session. The Sub Zero Disco sessions are a particular hit, with dazzling lights and music making it feel like the most fun you have ever had being cold.
Find out more about Basingstoke Leisure Park
Go Underground: Hampshire's Most Unique Cool Escapes
For something completely different, head to Fort Nelson overlooking Portsmouth Harbour. This restored Victorian fortress is free to enter and has 19 acres of tunnels, ramparts and artillery to explore. The underground tunnel network, originally used by soldiers to reach powder magazines and defensive positions, stays naturally cool even in the hottest weather. It is a genuinely exciting, slightly mysterious experience, and it is free.
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Down on the coast at Milford on Sea, Hurst Castle is another Tudor fortress where thick stone walls keep the temperature pleasantly low. With no parts of the castle off limits, children and dogs can roam freely through endless rooms, nooks and crannies while soaking up panoramic sea views from the gun tower.
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Cool Museums and Galleries: Culture in the Air Conditioning
A hot day is the perfect excuse to spend a few hours doing something brilliant indoors. Winchester Science Centre’s 360-degree Planetarium dome is fully air-conditioned, making a show under the stars one of the most refreshing things you can do on a hot Hampshire afternoon.
In Portsmouth, the Mary Rose Museum is climate-controlled to protect Henry VIII's beloved warship, which means it is also one of the most pleasant places to spend a hot afternoon on the south coast. The new Dive the Mary Rose 4D immersive theatre experience takes visitors on a cinematic journey through the ship's sinking and recovery, an extraordinary hour well spent.
Southampton's newly relaunched Southampton City Art Gallery has reopened with major acquisitions and a powerful new exhibition. A world-class collection in a beautiful city-centre building, it is a brilliant free option to escape the city heat.
Find out more about Hampshire's museums
Discover Hampsihre's art galleries
Shady Woodland Walks: Hampshire's Coolest Green Spaces
Sometimes the best answer to a heatwave is deep shade and a breeze through the trees. Alice Holt Forest near Farnham is set within 247 hectares of beautiful mixed woodland, where the tree canopy keeps things several degrees cooler than the open road. Follow the wellbeing trail, keep an eye out for Gruffalo sculptures lurking in the undergrowth, and cool down further with a cold drink at the on-site café.
Moors Valley Country Park on the Hampshire-Dorset border offers 250 acres of forest with two excellent walking routes. The 1.5-mile Lookout Walk winds through the trees to a panoramic picnic spot at The Lookout, while the longer 5-mile Long Forest Walk takes you deep into quieter corners including the beautiful Pine Avenue. If walking feels like too much effort in the heat, the Go Ape Forest Segway experience is the perfect solution. An instructor-led tour on all-terrain Segways through the woodland trails, it is a wonderfully low-effort way to cover more ground, feel the breeze through the trees, and see the forest from a different angle entirely.
The Tall Trees Walk in the New Forest is one of Hampshire’s most quietly spectacular walks, passing through a grove of Douglas firs that soar overhead. The canopy is extraordinary on a hot day, closing over the path and dropping the temperature noticeably within minutes of leaving the car park. It is an easy, relatively flat route and one of those places that genuinely stops people in their tracks.
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There is nothing like being on or near the water to bring the temperature down. Itchen Valley Country Park in Eastleigh covers 440 acres of beautiful water meadows and woodland beside the River Itchen, an endlessly peaceful place to walk in the shade and watch the river do its thing. The park has received 16 Green Flag Awards and is one of Hampshire's most loved green spaces.
Find out more about Itchen Valley Country Park
For something wilder, the New Forest Wildlife Park at Ashurst is set in ancient woodland where the animals have the right idea, keeping cool in the shade of centuries-old oaks. The Go Wild! adventure playground is tucked into the trees too, making it a natural cool-down zone for children.
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On the Water: Cool Coastal Spots in Hampshire
Whether you are looking to cool down by the sea, take part in some watersports or enjoy a beach side ice cream, Hampshire has many coastal spots which are perfect for enjoying a cooling coastal breeze on a hot day.
Find out more about Hampshire's beaches
Whatever the forecast, Hampshire has a cool escape to match. For more days out ideas across the county, browse our things to do pages and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for daily Hampshire inspiration.
Related
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.
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!
Fort Nelson is home to the Royal Armouries national collection of artillery and historic cannon – the big guns – and is a great day out for all the family. Step back in time and explore a fully restored Victorian fort with its high ramparts, original fortifications, massive parade ground and underground tunnels, plus a national museum housing over 700 pieces of artillery from across the world and spanning 600 years of history – each with their own story to tell.
Situated on the south coast, in the New Forest, Hurst Castle offers a fascinating day out. With plenty of open spaces for children to explore and fantastic views of the Isle of Wight, it is a must for visitors to Hampshire.
Nestled on the outskirts of Southampton, Itchen Valley is the perfect family escape from the hustle bustle of the city, with tranquil woodland walks through enchanting forest and six play areas inspired by nature.
A must-visit Hampshire attraction for families, couples and anyone with a passion for wildlife conservation and natural surroundings. Nestled in the beautiful ancient New Forest National Park you can find the New Forest Wildlife Park, with something to delight all ages.
