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With summer heatwaves becoming more common, knowing where to escape the hottest part of the day can make all the difference. Fortunately, Hampshire is home to a fantastic selection of indoor attractions where you can stay cool while enjoying everything from fascinating museums and historic buildings to hands-on family attractions and exciting indoor activities.
Whether you're looking for things to do with the children during the school holidays or simply fancy taking a break from the midday sun, these indoor attractions and activities offer the perfect excuse to cool down while discovering more of Hampshire.
Indoor museums and galleries in Hampshire
Many of Hampshire’s museums are indoors and offer cool places to escape from a heatwave or from the hot, midday sun.
SeaCity Museum, Southampton
Southampton’s SeaCity Museum is modern museum with indoor climate-controlled galleries, including the famous Titanic exhibition
The D-Day Story, Portsmouth
This indoor museum is the only museum in the UK dedicated to telling the story of D-Day. Family-friendly, this museum is a great spot for cooling off before or after exploring Portsmouth’s seafront.
Milestones Museum, Basingstoke
Step into bygone days at Milestones Museum, a large indoor Victorian street experience in Basingstoke. Children (and let’s face it, grown ups too) will love being issued with their ration book and selecting their rationed sweets from the old sweet shop.
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium, Winchester
With plenty of interactive indoor exhibits and a fascinating planetarium, you won’t be short of ways to cool off at Winchester Science Centre. With hands-on fun, science shows and much more.
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Forest
An ideal day out for New Forest visitors. This indoor museum and art gallery is set just off Lymington’s high street. Find out more about the maritime history of Lymington and check out the seasonal gallery spaces too. During the school holidays, children’s activities are regularly run and can provide a welcome relief from the heat for little ones.
Beaulieu, New Forest
Delve into the history of motoring on a day out to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. This large museum stays cool in the summer and has lots to offer visitors young and old. Added to this, entry to Beaulieu also includes admission to Palace House, a Victorian stately home with thick walls which help keep it cool and Beaulieu Abbey.
Southampton City Art Gallery, Southampton
Escape the heat while discovering one of the South Coast's finest art collections at Southampton City Art Gallery. Home to more than 5,000 works spanning eight centuries, the gallery features everything from Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary exhibitions, alongside regularly changing displays that mean there's always something new to see. Best of all, admission is free, making it an ideal place to spend a couple of hours away from the midday sun before exploring more of Southampton's city centre attractions.
Historic buildings that stay cool in Hampshire
Royal Armories - Fort Nelson, Portsmouth
Fort Nelson features indoor museum galleries plus thick historic walls that stay cooler during the summer heat. Offering free entry, discover the fascinating history spanning 600 years. This Victorian fort is on an elevated position overlooking Portsmouth and keeps cooler than the city below.
Hurst Castle, New Forest
Take a breezy ferry ride from Keyhaven over to Hurst Castle – not only can you enjoy some cooling sea air along the way, you’ll journey back in history as you approach this Tudor fortress. The thick walls of the castle provide a welcome spot of shade from the beaming sunshine.
The Great Hall, Winchester
Immerse yourself in Winchester’s ancient secrets on a visit to The Great Hall. From its life as a royal residence, to a defensive stronghold, a courtroom and now a thriving tourist destination, discover the place where history was made, and heritage is felt – a short stroll from Winchester High Street.
Indoor activities for all ages
If you like to keep active, you don’t need to let the hot weather stop your game. Here in Hampshire, we have plenty of indoor activities available including:
iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Basingstoke
Ever fancied skydiving but didn’t like the idea of jumping out of a plane? Well, now’s your chance to try it at Basingstoke Leisure Park’s iFLY indoor skydiving centre. Practice your moves and cool off in the wind tunnel. Whilst here, also pay a visit to the other nearby attractions that Basingstoke Leisure Park offers, including ice skating, bowling, cinema and Milestones Museum.
Tink & Brellie Pottery, Ludgershall
Come along and paint your own pottery designs at this small, air-conditioned pottery studio. A fun activity for children in the school holidays or for a group of friends looking for something creative to do.
Planet Ice, Gosport
You can’t get much cooler of a day out than a trip to an ice skating rink! Planet Ice in Gosport offers skating sessions (with skate hire included). For younger skaters, hire one of the centre’s ‘penguins’ to help you glide on the ice. Ice skating and ice hockey lessons are also available.
Calshot Activities Centre, New Forest
There’s a whole host of activities on offer at Calshot Activities Centre. Hire ringos and slide your way down the indoor ski slope (or have a go at skiing or snowboarding), try your hand on the velodrome or try out your upper arm strength on the indoor climbing wall.
Although not indoors, the centre offers a variety of water sports too – another perfect way to take the temperature down a notch!
More ways to keep cool in Hampshire
If you're still looking for ways to beat the heat, Hampshire has plenty more to offer. Spend the day at one of Hampshire's beaches, cool off at an outdoor swimming pool or splash pad, enjoy a walk beneath the trees in one of our country parks or treat yourself to a refreshing ice cream from one of Hampshire's independent parlours.
Or, if you'd rather stay by the water, why not try paddleboarding, kayaking or another watersport along Hampshire's beautiful coastline?
Frequently Asked Questions about indoor attractions in Hampshire
What are the best indoor attractions in Hampshire during a heatwave?
Hampshire has plenty of indoor attractions that are perfect for escaping the hottest part of the day. Museums such as SeaCity Museum, Milestones Museum and Southampton City Art Gallery offer a cool environment to explore, while attractions like Winchester Science Centre, Planet Ice (Gosport and Basingstoke) and Calshot Activities Centre provide hours of indoor entertainment for families and adults alike.
What can I do with children in Hampshire when it's too hot outside?
Indoor attractions are a great option for families during a heatwave. Children can enjoy interactive exhibits at Winchester Science Centre, step back in time at Milestones Museum, get creative at Tink & Brellie Pottery or burn off energy with activities at Calshot Activities Centre. Many indoor museums also run additional family activities during the school holidays.
Are there free indoor attractions in Hampshire?
Yes, Hampshire has several free indoor attractions, including Southampton City Art Gallery and the Royal Armouries – Fort Nelson. Some museums also offer free entry to permanent collections, making them ideal for a budget-friendly day out during the summer.
Which Hampshire museums are best to visit on a hot day?
Many of Hampshire's museums provide a welcome break from the heat. SeaCity Museum, The D-Day Story, Milestones Museum, St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery and Southampton City Art Gallery all offer fascinating exhibitions indoors, making them excellent choices when temperatures soar.
Are there indoor attractions near the New Forest?
Yes, visitors to the New Forest can enjoy indoor attractions such as Beaulieu's National Motor Museum and Palace House, St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery in Lymington and Calshot Activities Centre on the coast. These make great additions to a New Forest itinerary if you're looking to escape the midday sun.
Where can I keep cool in Hampshire during the summer?
Alongside indoor attractions, Hampshire offers plenty of ways to stay cool during the summer months. Spend time at one of the county's beaches, visit a country park with shaded woodland walks, cool off at an outdoor swimming pool or splash pad, or enjoy an ice cream from one of Hampshire's independent parlours.
Are there indoor attractions suitable for adults in Hampshire?
Absolutely. Hampshire has plenty of indoor attractions that appeal to adults, from art galleries and museums to historic buildings and activity centres. Whether you're interested in history, art, science or trying something different like indoor skydiving, there's plenty to discover away from the heat.
Related
From cobbled streets to a seaside pier, teddy bears, vintage vehicles, an operating pub, sweet shop and more, there is so much for everyone to see, do and enjoy at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history!
Are you ready for an action-packed family adventure? Set off on an exciting journey through the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) at Winchester Science Centre.
With over 280 vehicles in its world famous collection, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu tells the story of motoring in Britain from humble beginnings to the present day. Displays include classic cars, historic sporting motors, modern rally cars, F1 racers, and a rustic 1930’s country garage.
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.
Great Hall and Sally Port are the only surviving parts of Winchester Castle, also home to King Arthur's Legendary Round Table
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.
