Now that England is opening up a little more, there are more options of things to do in Hampshire with kids. Whether you live within driving distance or are perhaps visiting the area whilst camping or even glamping in Hampshire, here you will find lots of current details on the following places. Including where to eat on site, toilet facilities, guidelines, what facilities are closed and other useful information.
- Exbury Gardens (Southampton)
- Furzey Gardens (Lyndhurst, New Forest)
- Beaulieu (New Forest)
- Buckler’s Hard (New Forest)
- Paultons Park
For more things to do in Hampshire with kids, see here.
For more details, go straight to your preferred attraction by selecting it from the contents table or scroll down.
5 Things to do in the Hampshire/New Forest area with Kids
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Exbury Gardens (Southampton, Hampshire)
From the website: Exbury Gardens were created by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919 and are still lovingly managed by the family today. We offer woodland walks, world famous displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, art and sculpture exhibitions and since 2001 a miniature steam railway that follows a scenic route through parts of the gardens previously inaccessible to the public. Plus play area, gift shop, restaurants and dogs are welcome too!
Website: https://www.exbury.co.uk/
Opening Dates: now open daily(10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Where to eat:
- Only Mr Eddy’s Restaurant is open(serving only hot and cold drinks and sandwiches Wednesday – Sunday)
- Bringing your own picnic or refreshments is encouraged (Picnic benches and seating has been spaced out to avoid areas becoming overpopulated.)
Toilets:
- Toilets are located in the following places: Visitor Entrance, Exbury Central Station, Herbaceous Garden (close to Exbury House), Tennis Court Tea Rooms
- Baby changing facilities are available in most of the ladies toilets, some of the mens and all of the disabled toilets.
- Maximum capacity guidance and one-way systems may be in place. Alternate cubicles and urinals are cordoned off in toilets to allow for social distancing.
Accessibility:
- main paths are suitable for wheelchairs
- carers are admitted free of charge
- free limited number of non-motorized wheelchairs
- disabled toilets are available in all toilet facilities
Other useful information:
- Free Parking, electric car charging point available
- Dogs are welcome (Water bowls for dogs are available at: Visitor Entrance, Railway, Mr Eddy’s Restaurant)
- Maps are obtainable at the Visitor Entrance
Guidelines:
- Daily visitor numbers are capped at 500.
- All visitors must pre-book their tickets online, choosing one of seven timed entry slots between 10am – 4pm, enabling us to stagger entry times.
- 2-metre queue markings from Visitor Entrance to car park, in order to maintain social distancing guidelines.
- There is now only one entry route from the car park to the Visitor Entrance, which is the gate closest to the railway shed.
- There is now only one exit route from the Visitor Entrance to the car park, which is the small gate on the railway side of Mr Eddy’s Restaurant.
- We have opened a separate till point, with staff behind glass, so that customers do not have to enter the Visitor Entrance building in order to visit the gardens.
- PPE is available for visitor-facing staff and glass screens fitted to till points.
- One-way systems are in place in the Centenary Garden and Sundial Garden.
- Sanitising stations will be located at the entrance and exit to the gardens and by toilet facilities.
- No large group visits allowed (i.e. coach excursions)
- The steam railway and guided buggy tours will not be operating. Check back after July 4th to see updates for this.
- The children’s play area will remain closed. Check back after July 4th to see updates for this.
- The Five Arrows Gallery will remain closed.
- Assessing First Aid callouts on a case-by-case basis looking for opportunities to treat without contact (e.g. providing parents with plasters and cleansing wipes and asking them to treat minor cuts and grazes on their children).
Furzey Gardens (Lyndhurst, Hampshire)
From the website: A tranquil hidden garden nestled in the New Forest National Park. Explore the winding and meandering paths with thatched tea rooms, beautiful plants and fairy doors to discover.
Website: https://www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/furzey-gardens/
Opening Date: now open daily (10am – 12pm, 12-2pm and 2-4pm)
Where to eat:
- The tea rooms are open every day from 10am to 5pm serving takeaway sandwiches, cakes and hot and cold drinks.
- You are welcome to have a picnic but please do observe social distancing from others.
Toilets: We are limiting the use of toilet facilities by making them available on request only.
Accessibility:
- Furzey Gardens is on a hill and the informal woodland paths and gradients mean that parts of that garden are not wheelchair accessible.
- Our informal garden paths are narrow, twisting. steep in places and can be slippery. We do have an easier path route if you have difficulty walking or use a mobility device. However the utmost care must be taken even on this route.
Other useful information:
- Map is available on the website (We are not providing individual paper maps at the moment to reduce the number of people touching things.)
- There is limited parking available at Furzey Gardens
- Only assistance dogs are allowed to come into the gardens
Guidelines:
- Entrance to Furzey Gardens for all visitors, including members, is available through pre-purchased online tickets only.
- Due to social distancing requirements we are only able to offer a limited number of tickets each day.
- Entrance to Furzey Gardens is free for under fives and we do not count them towards our capacity, so you do not need to book a place for them.
- At the moment we are not accepting two for one cards but we will review this periodically and will reintroduce the offers when we are able to do so.
- At the moment the play area and the climbing section of Typhoon Tower has to be shut due to Government restrictions. There are still lots of Fairy doors to explore.
- You do not have to stick religiously to the route, but we do ask that you follow the general one way round the garden. In particular please follow the routes where there are arrows as these are narrow points in the garden.
- Hand sanitizer points are situated around the garden and we would strongly encourage you to use them.
Beaulieu (New Forest, Hampshire)
From FB page: Beaulieu, in the New Forest, is home to the National Motor Museum housing a collection of over 250 stunning vehicles from every motoring era.
Enter the ‘World of Top Gear’, featuring actual vehicles from the most ambitious challenges on the TV show over the years and experience the Top Gear ‘Enormodrome’ which aims to recreate the feel of the Top Gear studio. Visitors to Beaulieu can also explore Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538 and see the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, once home to the Cistercian monks.
Website: https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/
Opening Date: 6th June-grounds and gardens (10am – 5pm), 4th July-indoor spaces
Where to eat:
- Brabazon Cafe (takeaway hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice cream)
- You are very welcome to bring your own picnic to enjoy during your visit.
Toilets: We have two sets of toilets open for visitors, one beneath the Brabazon Restaurant and the other near to the Abbey Domus.
Accessibility:
- We welcome visits from guests with disabilities and offer a free Personal Assistant ticket for visitors with registered accessibility requirements.
- We have a limited number of manual wheelchairs and electric scooters available to hire, free of charge.
- There are three sets of disabled toilets across the site.
Other useful information:
- Map is available on the website
- Dogs are welcomed at Beaulieu and are permitted within the grounds. (We provide scoops for disposal of mess free of charge.)
Guidelines:
We will…
- Provide social distancing reminders around the site to help you stay 2 metres from others.
- Have friendly members of staff onsite to monitor visitor activity.
- Provide hand sanitisation stations to help you keep your hands clean.
- Provide face coverings and gloves for close proximity visitor facing staff, to protect you.
- Operate a cashless system.
- Regularly monitor and clean our lavatories and shared spaces.
We ask you to…
- Save your visit for another day if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, or have been in contact with someone with Covid-19.
- Book your tickets in advance. (capacity will be limited to 500 each day)
- Read safety instructions on arrival and during your visit carefully.
- Keep the recommended two metre distance from other visitors.
- Use our hand sanitising stations to keep your hands clean.
- Catch any coughs and sneezes in a tissue or into the crook of your elbow.
- Be patient if you have to queue for our facilities.
Buckler’s Hard (New Forest, Hampshire)
From FB page: On the banks of the Beaulieu River, in the heart of the New Forest National Park, you will find the peaceful haven of Buckler’s Hard. The Maritime Museum and Buckler’s Hard Story give an insight into the history of this 18th century shipbuilding village focusing on its vessels including those built for Nelson’s Navy. You can also take a trip on the river or a walk beside the riverbank for an opportunity to see some of the abundant wildlife that inhabits its banks. Visit the Apple Orchard where apples are picked to make Beaulieu Apple Juice.
Website: https://www.bucklershard.co.uk/
Opening Date: now open, Wednesday to Sunday at 10.30am, with the last entry to the car park at 4.00pm
Where to eat:
- A pop-up cafe will be open (weather permitting) from Wednesday to Sunday for visitors to purchase take away hot and cold drinks, and light snacks.
- Picnics are welcome at Buckler’s Hard.
Toilets: There is a fully accessible toilet adjacent to the Captain’s Cabin Tea Rooms.
Accessibility:
- Buckler’s Hard has remained almost unchanged since the 18th century and is by its nature not easy for wheelchair access.
- The site includes mainly gravel paths, some steep slopes and narrow doorways and stairs to historic buildings.
Other useful information:
- Parking does not have to be pre-booked and can be paid for on arrival via a contactless payment card.
- Assistance dogs are welcome
- Interactive map is available on the website
Guidelines:
- At this time, the Maritime Museum, shipwright cottages, Captain’s Cabin tea room and river cruise remain closed.
- Do not visit if you are feeling unwell or displaying any of the Covid-19 symptoms.
- Respect the recommendation to keep a 2m distance from other visitors.
- Use the sanitising stations provided near to the lavatory facility.
- Be prepared to queue for the lavatory facility which will be regularly cleaned for your safety.
Paultons Park (The New Forest, Hampshire)
From the website: Paultons is the UK’s number 1 family theme park — located in Hampshire with over 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Paultons is also home of the UK’s only Peppa Pig World with 9 fun Peppa-themed rides, great for an amazing day out with the kids.
Enjoy roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, indoor and outdoor play areas, water splash parks, entertainments and an astonishing collection of birds and animals at our amusement park.
Website: https://paultonspark.co.uk/
Opening Date: 4th July (10am – 5:30pm)
Where to eat:
- most of our restaurants and kiosks will remain open
- picnic bags and family hampers will be available to order online
- guests are still welcome to bring their own picnics when visiting the park
Toilets: all our toilets will be open with social distancing measures in place
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair or mobility scooter dependent guests are admitted free of charge
- A vast majority of the rides and attractions at Paultons, including Peppa Pig World, are designed to be fully accessible to disabled guests, therefore we do not offer a discounted disabled rate for guests or their carers
- Special car parking area in main car park
- All restaurants and shops are wheelchair accessible
- Ample toilet facilities for guests with disabilities
- Manual wheelchairs are available to hire from our first aid centre free of charge.
- The Victorian Carousel with special carriage accessible to wheelchair users
- Changing facilities available
Other useful information:
- Admittance allowed for fully trained assistance dogs
- Parking: On arrival you may be asked to wait in your vehicle to help manage the number of visitors approaching the park entrance at one time.
Guidelines:
- We will be operating to a limited capacity to allow for whatever social distancing is deemed necessary for the date of your visit.
- All visits must be pre-booked online
- Should you wish to wear a face covering at the park and whilst using our rides and attractions this is of course no problem.
- Paultons will be a cash-free environment so please ensure that you are able to make card or contactless payments for the day of your visit.
- A virtual queueing system is being developed for the Official Paultons Park App in order to reduce time guests spend in queues and to assist with social distancing. Please ensure you download our App prior to arrival at the Park and upload your park tickets onto this platform to create your visiting party.
- Seating plans have been developed to allow social distancing on our rides and attractions in order to minimise contact between families. Please follow the instructions of the ride operator and appropriate signage.
- In addition to our extensive hand washing facilities located in our toilet and baby changing amenities we have a number of hand sanitiser stations strategically located around the Park for the convenience of our guests.
- Indoor play areas, 4D Show Street Cinema, Bouncer and trampolines, Temple Heights and selected playgrounds will be closed.