Hampshire

A former Tudor ‘power house’ visited by Henry VIII, a 1930s country retreat and famous rose garden, a Georgian mansion with panoramic views, and an ancient working watermill in the heart of a city. These are yours to discover in Hampshire, together with acres of wildlife-rich downland, crystal-clear chalk streams, and ancient New Forest heaths.

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A view of the South Front at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Place

Mottisfont

Once a medieval priory, today you’ll find a romantic house with 1930s interiors and an art gallery, nestled in beautiful riverside gardens.

Lake in foreground with lawn then portico of The Vyne in background with group of visitors and deckchairs

Place

The Vyne

Explore a former Tudor powerhouse turned 18th-century family home, set in formal gardens, with walks to woodlands and wildlife-rich wetlands.

The house at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire, with stone steps leading up to it from a lawn, with topiary trees on either side

Place

Hinton Ampner

An elegant country house with exquisite collections, and picturesque gardens surrounded by an estate that’s perfect for walks.

Footpath and river with exterior of mill in background, Winchester City Mill, Hampshire

Place

Winchester City Mill

An ancient working watermill in the heart of the city, with visiting otters, an island garden, and cosy indoor and outdoor café.

Bright flower borders in the foreground with red brick chapel in background

Place

Sandham Memorial Chapel

20th-century chapel and garden in a peaceful Hampshire village that houses an unexpected treasure – an epic series of wall paintings by world-famous war artist Sir Stanley Spencer.

Horse and rider in foreground with purple heather and green bracken in distance, Rockford Common, New Forest

Place

New Forest Commons

A colourful mosaic of blooming heather and gorse, braided wetlands and ancient woodland pasture

Panoramic view over Stockbridge Down with path running down the hill to fields, Hampshire

Place

Stockbridge Down

Chalk downland with far-reaching views, a variety of wildlife and archaeological features

Dahlias in the Sunken Garden in July at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire

Gardens and parks in Hampshire

Lawns and the south front of the house in summer, Mottisfont, Hampshire

Houses and buildings in Hampshire

A fenced burial mound at Stockbridge Down, Hampshire

Countryside and woodland in Hampshire

Pathway through the heather on the heathland of Ludshott Common, Hampshire

Walking in Hampshire

Woman in white t-shirt pushing buggy with young children alongside, on hedge-lined grass avenue at Hinton Ampner, summer

Family-friendly places in Hampshire

A light-coloured dog runs towards the camera, with its owners standing behind, with grassy hills and woodland, in the summer, at Bramshaw Commons and Foxbury, Hampshire

Dog-friendly places in Hampshire

A woman in a pink jumper, eating a sandwich, feeds a toddler in a chunky knit cardigan, sitting in a wooden high chair in a café

Places to eat in Hampshire

Volunteers making charcoal at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Volunteering in Hampshire

An illustration from Come Away From the Water Shirley by John Burningham

Family fun in Hampshire

Step into the funny world of children’s author John Burningham at Mottisfont. You’ll be transported into the stories like Borka the Featherless Goose and Avocado Baby, with playful spaces, a life-size ‘magic’ bed and outdoor adventure trail (until 29 Sept). The circus comes to Hinton Ampner, with lots of fun ways to test your juggling, balancing and dancing skills plus tuition from real circus performers on 28 August! Look out for the amazing circus caravan selfie station too (until 1 Sept). At The Vyne you can host your own mini sporting tournament. The gardens are packed with sporty games the whole family can enjoy, from long jump and hurdles to relay racing and bean bag shot (until 1 Sept).

Close up of several orange and white pumpkins carved with Hallowe'en- themed faces

Mottisfont’s Pumpkin Parade

Follow Mottisfont's Pumpkin Parade trail to discover Hallowe’en-themed activities, from pumpkin noughts and crosses to pumpkin rolling. Spot skeletons in the medieval cellarium, and balance and crawl in the Creepy Critters climbing area. For little ones, there are tiny doors to discover, hiding cute Hallowe’en pictures. Kids can create their own pumpkin designs to add to bunting, and there are quirky pumpkin displays – perfect for family photos. 19 October to 3 November

Back view of small girl in navy sparkly dress and gold witch's hat, on lawn, generic

Hallowe'en Potions trail at Hinton Ampner

Hidden in the spookiest corners of Hinton Ampner's gardens are the ingredients Wilma the Witch wants for her magic potion. But she needs your help! Race on your broomstick, toss a ring onto the witch's hat, and move your pet spider through the maze to complete the challenge and make the potion. 19 October to 3 November, trail £2

A child explores the outdoors with their family in autumn

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Cinema: Hocus Pocus at The Vyne

Wrap up warm to enjoy this fun, PG-rated Hallowe’en Disney movie under the stars. Fancy dress encouraged! There’s a spooky soundtrack to enjoy before the film starts, with specially curated songs for witches, ghouls, ghosts, and vampires. Hot drinks and refreshments available to purchase. 5 October, gates open 5.30pm, booking essential

Young girl in witch's costume with witch's hat inside Hughenden Manor

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Hallowe'en pumpkin trail at The Vyne

This adventures takes you inside the former Tudor mansion as well as outdoors. Journey through the house on the hunt for 10 vibrant suncatchers featuring mysterious, magical pumpkins. In the gardens, the jack-o’-lantern theme continues, with pumpkin patch bean bag toss, ring toss and noughts and crosses. 26 October to 3 November, £2 with sweetie prize

From dazzling dahlias to Apple Days and pumpkin displays, there are plenty of ways to celebrate autumn

Pink dahlias flower in two flowerbeds in The Sunken Garden at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire, with topiary trees to the left ad the house above to the right

Delightful dahlias

Now is the time to enjoy dahlias, and we’ve got some spectacular displays in Hampshire. New for this year are raised beds full of flowers in Mottisfont’s kitchen garden, including one of our gardeners’ favourites - scarlet double petalled Taratahi Ruby. Hinton Ampner is famous for its kaleidoscopic dahlia displays. Don’t miss hundreds of rich pink ‘Fascination’ in the sunken garden. Nearly 20 varieties have been planted in The Vyne’s walled garden. Look out for stunning red and yellow dahlia ‘Pooh’ among the rainbow of colours.

Display of pumpkins on a cart in front of Hinton Ampner

Pumpkins displays at Hinton

Hinton’s pumpkin displays are back! Over 200 pumpkins create a beautiful autumn show. Nestled on benches and shelves, piled into carts and wheelbarrows, the vibrant gourds are a sign that we’re well and truly into harvest season. Don’t forget to visit Hinton’s resident scarecrow, presiding over his own pumpkin patch in the walled kitchen garden.

Vampire cinema at The Vyne

Wrap up warm and settle down on the lawn to enjoy 1987 black comedy vampire classic, The Lost Boys (rated 15). Plus there’s a spooky soundtrack to enjoy before the film starts. Hot drinks and snacks for sale. Fancy dress encouraged. 4 October, film starts 7.30pm, booking essential.

A close-up of red, ripe apples growing on a tree at Acorn Bank, Cumbria

Apple Day celebrations at Hinton Ampner

Apple Day is a national celebration of our rich apple history. At Hinton Ampner we’re joined by apple experts from nearby Sparsholt College, who will introduce you to the wonderful fruity world of heritage apple varieties. Discover quirky names, fascinating history, and what you need to know to grow your own. 2 to 3 November

Close-up view of a brown and white dog, held on a lead, with fallen leaves on the ground, at Clent Hills, Worcestershire

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Pooch Passport

Our popular Pooch Passport is back! Returning from 1 September, collect stamps in your Passport when visiting participating properties with your dog. Once you’ve picked up six different property stamps your dog will receive a bag of tasty treats from our partners at Forthglade. If you collect 12 different stamps your dog will receive a stylish dog snood. Discover dog-friendly places to explore together.

A family walking by water in the springtime at Mottisfont, Hampshire.

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Sustainable travel in Hampshire

There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Hampshire, whether you're looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot.

An image of a person pushing a wheelbarrow and another person holding a spade

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Supporter groups in Hampshire

Find out how to join a supporter group near you. There are several supporter groups located throughout Hampshire, and their members have access to a range of benefits including special interest talks, volunteering opportunities, fun social events and organised day trips to properties around the country.

See all events

Event

Pooch Passport

The Vyne, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Explore top rated places for days out with dogs. Visit six participating places between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025 to collect your free treat and visit 12 for a second treat.

Event

Pooch Passport

Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, Hampshire

Explore more with your four-legged friends! In partnership with Forthglade, visit Hinton Ampner and other participating properties to collect 6 stamps on your free pooch passport to receive a treat.

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Summer games at The Vyne

The Vyne, Basingstoke, Hampshire

For an energetic day out, all ages can enjoy bean bag shot put, an obstacle course, long jump, high jump, triple jump, relay race, hurdles and ribbon gymnastics in the gardens at The Vyne.

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John Burningham's Bedtime Stories: exhibition and activity trail

Mottisfont, near Romsey, Hampshire

Saturday 20 July – Sunday 29 September: a family-friendly exhibition and activity trail celebrating the wild and wonderful world of award-winning children's author and illustrator John Burningham.

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Hinton Ampner's Summer of Circus

Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, Hampshire

Roll up, roll up! A Summer of Play arrives at Hinton Ampner, with a circus twist! Step up and experience the gardens and grounds like never before and experience a whole world of PLAY.

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Wild Summer Fun at City Mill

Winchester City Mill, Winchester, Hampshire

Explore the wild and wonderful world of nature right here in the heart of the City of Winchester this summer holiday. The Mill is famous for our otters, so pop down and see if you can spot one! Find all 6 toy otters who are hiding in the nooks...

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Tomb Chamber stained glass display

The Vyne, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Explore a completed project to conserve The Vyne's stained-glass windows and see 18th-century glass items from the collection in two first-floor rooms. Inspired by windows, you’ll find brainteasing puzzles and community artwork in the old kitchen.

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Garden tours

Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, Hampshire

Discover more of our charming gardens by joining us for a guided tour

Explore an area nearby

Visitors exploring the sand dunes and the woodland at Formby, Liverpool

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

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