At least 16 things to do with kids in and around Southampton this summer

manor farm meet the animalsSouthampton schools are out for summer from July 20 to September 5. So what to do with the kids? Here are at least 16 ideas – including some free, low cost, and ‘no-car’ options.

 

1. Take this year’s Summer Reading Challenge

Last year more than 800,000 children took part. Just sign up at your local library, read six books of your choice before September 3, and collect rewards along the way. It’s free. More info here.

You can find out about other summer activities for children at Cobbett Road Hub and Library here, including a Word Mash-up on Friday, Aug 12, Dreaming is Believing workshop on Monday, Aug 22 and a Roald Dahl Birthday Party on Saturday, September 10.

2. Swim for free if you’re under 8

bitterne leisure centre

Under 8s can have fun in the pool and swim free this summer at Bitterne Leisure Centre (SO18 6AQ) or at The Quays (SO15 1BA).

Initial registration fee of £2 applies.
Details and timetables are from this link

3. Keep your cool at a water-park
southampton common paddling pool SP
The paddling pool at Southampton Common
Photo: Sally Phillips

Keep your cool at a free to use outdoor water-park. Southampton Common pool is still open daily, ahead of proposed refurbishments. Or only minutes away (maybe, depending on traffic!) try Fleming Park on Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh, or, a little further, Hedge End pool. Further afield still, head to Lymington’s 110m Seawater Baths: features water toys for older children, and paddling pool and sandpit for younger ones. Perhaps you could even take a bus through the New Forest to Lymington – see next entry (No 4).

Southampton Common Paddling Pool
Open every day (unless poor weather or staffing prevents) until 1 Sept, 10am – 6pm.
Free

Fleming Park Paddling Pool
Located on Passfield Avenue, it’s open throughout the holidays, 10am – 7pm until the first weekend of September.
Free

Hedge End Paddling Pool
At the recreation ground on St John’s Road, it’s open throughout the holidays, 10.30am – 5.30pm May – mid-September.
Free

Lymington Seawater Baths
On Bath Road, this pool is fully staffed. Open 10am – 6pm during the summer.
Prices and more details here

 

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4. Take a ferry, train and bus to explore the New Forest

hythe ferry and cruise liner under CC2 by Ronald Saunders
A cruise liner behind the Southampton to Hythe Ferry
Photo under CC2 by Ronald Saunders

Forest Bus, which runs from Southampton (city centre or Central Station) to Lymington [see the route - PDF], offers Network Explorer tickets (£22 for a group of up to five people) that let you hop on and off all day wherever you like. More details on their website here.

And New Forest Tours also offer connecting Forest routes with onboard commentaries, with the Green Route stopping at Hythe Pier: get there from Southampton Town Quay using the Hythe Ferry which passes terminals used by cruise ships on its ten-minute crossing. At Hythe Pier ferries are even met by a pier railway to take you to shore: it's only the first of several train suggestions this year...

5. Play in a free five-a-side football tournament
Southampton North Neighbourhood Policing Team hosts a tournament at Southampton Sports Centre for 10-18 years olds, with a DJ, entertainment and refreshments available.

Wednesday, August 3, 9.30am – 4pm
Astro Pitch, Southampton Sports Centre, Bassett
Free entry
More info from PCSO Bob Stafford; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

6. Get creative at Southampton City Art Gallery

southampton city art gallery library entrance

From designing a droid, to hearing tales of the Gruffalo and then creating your own monster, there are arty events for kids throughout the summer at Southampton City Art Gallery. Scroll down on this council web page for the full schedule, booking information and prices.

7. Go on a holiday camp with the University of Southampton
Fun-filled day ‘camps’ for children aged from five to 14 years include a wide range of activities, from sailing and raft building to trampolining, climbing, and indoor sports and games. Details here.

8. Go exploring by train, and on foot

station walks cover

This guidebook includes walks, from half a mile to eight miles, starting at local train stations in the Three Rivers area, which covers routes from Salisbury to Eastleigh, St Denys to Wimbledon and all stations in between by the Avon, Itchen and Test rivers. There are 38 walks to try, so it could keep you busy all summer! See our earlier article here.

Book: £5, generally available at October Books, Portswood or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order

9. Camp out at Fairthorne Manor
Stay in a pre-erected YMCA tent and experience Fairthorn and a range of activities on this family camp-out. All meals are included – even a Sunday roast!

August 6 - 7
YMCA Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge SO30 2GH
£40 per adult; £20 per child
Click here for more information and to book, and for other activities at Fairthorne, Townhill, Sholing and Portsmouth, see their website.

10. Explore spectacular gardens in the New Forest

exbury gardens pr

exbury gardens train under CC2 by train photosThere’s plenty to explore at Exbury Gardens, a 200-acre site with a myriad of pathways, a narrow-gauge steam railway, a play area, wildlife to spot, and Mr Eddy’s Tea Rooms (high chairs available). Or enjoy your own picnic as you watch out for carp in Jubilee Pond.

Exbury Gardens, The Estate Office
Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 1AZ
Under 3s free.
Baby changing facilities in each toilet block.
Prices and opening times here
General website here

Pictured above right: the steam train at Exbury Gardens
Photo under CC2 by Train Photos

11. Help feed the animals and visit the Victorian schoolroom at Manor Farm

Farmer and tractor 460px

A summer of activities, demonstrations and crafts await at Manor Farm, Bursledon. Join a farmer on daily rounds, and help feed the animals; watch cows being milked; meet some of the smaller residents during Meet the Animals; or try a summer trail. You can visit the Victorian schoolroom for a lesson, or join in the farmhouse craft activity. The play area will also be open with pedal tractors waiting for budding young farmers to drive them.

Check their calendar for dates/full details
Cost: Farm admission charges apply – or just pay to park and enjoy acres of wooded walks near the Hamble.
Manor Farm Country Park
Pylands Lane, Bursledon,
Nr Southampton SO31 1BH
Tel 01489 787055
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Allegra Manor Farm and Country Park zebraThe farm is also sponsoring a Zany Zebra as part of Marwell Zoo's Zany Zebra trail, with Hampshire artist Sian Storey hosting a creative workshop for children on Thursday, August 18.

The workshop, which runs from 10am to 3.30 pm, begins with a talk by Sian about her artworks and creative process followed by a group practical painting session. Participants will paint 4ft high wooden farm animals, which will be displayed at the farm afterwards. Sian Storey designed Manor Farm's zebra sculpture, which has been named 'Allegra' following a public vote on Facebook.


Costs £15 for a half day or £25 for a full day
Limited spaces available
Details and bookings from this link

• There's more on Marwell's Zany Zebra family trail in Southampton, with a downloadable map, here.

 12. Watch the big ships from Royal Victoria Country Park

Royal Victoria view from tower under public domain by Alan Ford
View west from Netley Hospital chapel tower, Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Hampshire, UK. View is across Southampton Water towards Hythe
Photo: public domain by Alan Ford

Royal Victoria Country Park, about four miles out of Southampton, was once the location for a military hospital. Today it offers a 200-acre site for playing and picnicking, woodland walks, with children’s play equipment, café, and yes, even a little train – as well as fantastic views over Southampton Water, so you can watch Solent shipping doing its thing.

Royal Victoria Country Park
Netley Abbey
Southampton
Hampshire
SO31 5GA
Tel: 023 8045 5157
Website
Entry free. Parking charges apply: £1.80 up to an hour; £4 over one hour

13. Cycle to Itchen Valley Country Park

cyclists blurred

Take national cycle route 23, largely off road, from Riverside Park, for just over two miles to Itchen Valley Country Park, where 440 acres of water meadows, woodland, a visitors’ centre, two play areas, shop, café and marked trails are waiting to be explored.

Itchen Valley Country Park
Allington Lane
West End
Southampton
SO30 3HQ
Open 8.30am – 9.30pm during British Summer Time
Google directions for cycling (untested) are here
There’s more information about the park and facilities here
Entry free. If you decide to drive instead, parking charges are £1 up to an hour; £2.50 up to four hours and £3.90 over four hours.

14. Travel back in time at Tudor House and Garden – for just 6p!

tudor house and garden sign old town

“Southampton’s most important historic building, Tudor House reveals over 800 years of history.” The Tudor House and Garden Summer Spectacular offers the chance to start the holidays exploring house and gardens, for the original price of just 6p per person!

Tudor House Summer Spectacular - more details
Sunday July 31, 10am – 5pm
Limited availability. Charges apply for activities.
Westgate Hall
Westgate Street
Southampton
SO14 2AY

• There’s also a Heritage Open Day with free entry on September 11

15. Go on on a Forest School day camp

“Nature provides the inspiration and we provide the support skills and tools for a range of activities exploring the wild side of nature that allow children to discover and create and help build confidence and self-esteem”. Children aged 4 – 10 years old are shown how to use knives responsibly, how to light a small camp fire and more, under close supervision.

Various dates throughout August at both Green Lane Copse, Maybush (SO16 9RG) and Sholing Valleys Study Centre.
Full details here
.
£15 per child per day.

16. Explore signs and symbols, or wildlife and butterflies, at Southampton Old Cemetery

southampton old cemetary GP

The Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery organise various guided walks through the summer months, including their Signs and Symbols, and Wildlife and Butterflies walks, which are all free. Accompanied children, well-behaved dogs on leads, and donations are all welcome! Walks start just inside the main gates at the end of Cemetery Road, where parking (free for at least four hours) is also available.
Full walk dates and details are here.
 

Have a great summer!

Many thanks to Rebecca Welton, Lyn Brayshaw, Madeleine O'Beirne and Sally Phillips for additional research.

E&OE All information believed to be correct at time of research/writing, but always check with venues and service providers about times, prices and availability before making a special journey.

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