Free things to do in Southampton with kids

Arches Studios

Southampton

Free exhibitions and talks in a gallery space, an easy wander if you're near Woolston or Southampton Central.

Beacon Hill National Nature Reserve

Exton

Free chalk downland walking with a viewpoint at the top and the South Downs Way running right through it.

Big Mouth Theatre - Totton

Southampton · ages 5-16

Weekly drama classes where kids build their own characters, costumes and sets, then perform in two full productions a year.

First aid

Brentry Woodland, Hillier Arboretum

Romsey · up to age 16

Free woodland paths through a huge collection of trees and plants, with a winter garden that earns its keep in the colder months.

ParkingPicnic area

Clarence Pier

Southsea

A seafront fairground of rides, arcades and adventure golf, paid for by the token or the wristband, whichever way you fancy losing money.

Baby changeIndoor playKids menuFood on site+3 more

ELMR Crazy Golf Eastleigh Lakeside

Eastleigh

Eastleigh Lakeside 9-hole crazy golf at Parkway Station - pyramids and Humpty Dumpty.

Outdoor playCaféGift shopParking+3 more

Hengistbury Head Beach

Bournemouth

A wide nature reserve beach with a land train to Mudeford Spit, harbour views and wildlife webcams to spot along the way.

Accessible toiletBike parkingCaféDog friendly+4 more

Holly Hill Woodland Park

Southampton

Free waymarked woodland walks past lakes and old garden features, with routes from 50 minutes to two hours.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingDog friendlyPicnic area+1 more

HORTON'S STEAM FAIR

Arundel

Vintage steam-powered fairground rides, a big wheel and old-school games set up for one weekend only in Arundel.

Isle Of Wight Observatory

Sandown

Free Thursday-night stargazing through telescopes, with a fixed dome scope alongside portable ones you can look through outside.

Itchen Valley Country Park

Southampton · ages 0-14

Five free play areas, woodland trails and an alpaca walk to try, all in a park where entry costs nothing.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBike parkingBlue badge parking+15 more

Kingston Beach

Shoreham-by-Sea

Free rock pools and a swim spot with limited parking, right by Shoreham-by-Sea.

Micheldever Woods

Winchester

Ancient beech woodland with Bronze Age burial mounds to find and roe deer to spot, free to wander with no set trail to follow.

Dog friendlyPicnic areaToilets

New Century Park

Eastleigh

A free splashpad with a proper freshwater flow system, plus a playground, skate park and pond boardwalk to explore around it.

CaféDog friendlyFood on siteOutdoor play+3 more

New Forest Heritage Centre

Lyndhurst

Free museum trails and activity sheets on the New Forest's history, with sensory bags to borrow and a dog-friendly café to finish in.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBike parking+14 more

Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson

Fareham · ages 0-15

Free entry to a real 19th-century fort stuffed with enormous cannon, including a 200-tonne railway howitzer, up on the hill above Fareham.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+4 more

Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum

Winchester

Try on a real uniform and handle genuine artefacts while tracing the regiment's history from 1702 to now, free of charge.

Gift shopGroup bookings

Roydon Woods Nature Reserve

Lymington

A free wander through ancient woodland with bluebells in spring, grazing animals about, and no set route to stick to.

Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve

Swanwick

Free woodland and lake reserve for wildlife spotting, muddy trails and organised sessions for under-5s up to young teens.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingFree parking+3 more

The Devenish

Salisbury

A free woodland nature reserve with dens to play in and a steep climb up to views over Salisbury.

Bike parkingFree parking

The Nature Discovery Centre

Thatcham

Free lakeside reserve for feeding ducks, exploring an adventure playground and walking signposted trails around the water.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+7 more

Trago Lounge

Southampton

An all-day café-bar with a kids' menu and board games on the table, open from breakfast until late.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesDog friendlyGroup bookings+4 more

Tsunami Beach Bars

Southampton

A beach bar and kitchen doing burgers, pizza and bottomless brunch by day, with live music and big screens taking over most evenings.

Indoor seatingRestaurant

Winnall Moors Nature Reserve

Winchester

A free, mile-long boardwalk trail through wet meadows where you might spot deer and kingfishers.

Pushchair friendlyWheelchair accessible

Woodford Park

Reading

A free park with a splash pool for summer, a play area to burn an hour, and a quiet garden if you need five minutes' peace.

CaféFree parkingToilets