Brentry Woodland, Hillier Arboretum
BEST FOR
Up to age 16
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Romsey
What it’s like
Free woodland paths through a huge collection of trees and plants, with a winter garden that earns its keep in the colder months.
This is a wander rather than an attraction with a queue. The paths loop through a big spread of trees and plants, enough ground that a walk here can stretch as long as small legs allow or as short as a pram nap needs. There's no set route pushed on you, so you can let a seven-year-old lead if they fancy being in charge for once.
The Winter Garden is the bit to save for when the rest of the garden looks a bit bare. Bark, foliage and flowers are picked for how they look in the colder months. That's not something every garden manages.
It's free to get in, open daily right through the year from 10am, and there's parking and a picnic area if you want to bring your own lunch and make a day of it. It shuts over the Christmas break, so don't turn up expecting a festive walk on the day itself. Suits anyone up to 16, and because it's all outdoor paths, wet weather turns it into wellies-and-puddles territory rather than a washout.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Suits any age up to 16, from pushchair wanders to older kids exploring
- Free entry, no booking needed
- Closed over the Christmas break, so check it's not that week
- The Winter Garden is worth the trip in colder months, not just summer
- Bring your own picnic, there's a spot for it
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Nothing, it's free to get in.
What are the opening hours?
Open daily from 10am year-round, apart from over the Christmas break when it's closed.
Do we need to book?
No booking needed, just turn up.
Is there anywhere to eat?
There's a picnic area if you bring your own food.
Is it suitable for a toddler in a pushchair?
It's paths through woodland rather than a fenced play area, so it suits a wander with a pushchair as much as it does older kids exploring on foot.
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