The Royal Naval Submarine Museum

The Royal Naval Submarine Museum, Gosport

Discover the history of submarine development from the Ancient Greeks to the nuclear powered vessels of today. Start with a film show showing the history of the Submarine service then visit HMS Alliance, the centrepiece of the Museum. The submarine experience is brought to life on a tour of Alliance, enhanced by the first hand experience of ex-submariners guides, many who served on this class of submarine. You can then visit the Holland 1, the Royal Navy's first submarine and explore other subs as well as torpedoes, guns and missiles.

Inside the modern galleries there are lots of interactive exhibits, including periscopes, computer games and demonstrations of how submarines work.

There is a gift shop, picnic area and small cafe. The water bus stops at the museum and links it to Portsmouth or it's a 1km walk from the Gosport Ferry pier. There is also car parking.

www.rnsubmus.co.uk
Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2AS
Tel: 023 9252 9217
Google map

Chilbolton Cow Common

Chilbolton Cow Common, Hampshire

Chilbolton Cow Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the valley of the River Test. So it's a great place for nature lovers. But it's also a fantastic place for a family walk or picnic. There's loads of space to explore and it is one of the few places where the river is accessible to the public.

There's a small car park at the Chilbolton side or you can easily walk through to Wherwell.

www.chilbolton.com
Chilbolton Cow Common, between Chilbolton and Wherwell, Hampshire

The Rapids

The Rapids, Romsey

The Rapids is a recently refurbished leisure pool, packed with water fun and adventure. The rapids themselves are perhaps the best feature as swimmers young and old enjoy being swept around. Then try the flume and enjoy water cannons, tropical rain showers, the giant tipping bucket and pirate ship as well as other exhilarating activities.

There's also a learner pool and the main 25 metre has lanes at certain times. The health and fitness suite, Archie's World soft play are and cafe complete the range of facilities.

Great for a rainy or cold day or for a child's birthday party.

www.the-rapids.co.uk
The Rapids, Southampton Road, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8AF, tel: 01794 830333
Google map

Paultons Park

Paultons Park, Hampshire

A fantastic day out for the family, especially for the pre-teens. Set in acres of beautiful gardens, Paultons Park has developed over 40 attractions to keep you busy all day.

Family members can choose fast rides and slow rides, wet rides and dry rides, up-to-the minute rides and some old fashioned favourites.

Popular attractions include the Stinger roller coaster, Pirate Ship, the Raging River Ride, the Astroglide, Dragon Ride Roundabout, Teacups and the Rio Grande Train which gives a relaxing ride past the large bird enclosures and beside the lake.

Recent additions include the Wave Runner, where you ride down a high trough in rubber dinghies on fast flowing water and the Flying Frog, a mini coaster. The only one of its kind in the UK, it has no height restriction so young kids can ride with a grown-up and experience the thrill of a coaster.

But the Cobra, opened in 2006, is Paultons Park's longest, fastest and scariest family ride yet. With a height of 17 metres, sharp twists, turns and coils, this ride is a big hit with the more daring members of the family.

Ticket prices a re good value and the Park is open from February to early November (not all days out of the main season). There are also Santa's Christmas Wonderland.

Close to junction 2 of the M27, Paultons Park is one of the South's top attractions.

www.paultonspark.co.uk
Paultons Park Ltd, Ower, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 6AL, Tel: 023 8081 4442

Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle, Dorset

Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed building which was built between 1831 and 1835 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. It has been described as "the most important remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture."

The castle is open daily from 1 February to 23 December.Inside the castle there are 5 partially restored staterooms housing a gift shop, visitor centre and galleries featuring a changing programme of exhibitions. The Great Hall is very atmospheric. Guided tours of the un-restored parts of the building run at 2pm every Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

There is a tea room with a wide range of light lunches and snacks, including scrummy cakes.

The best part is the grounds which sit above the cliffs giving fine views over Christchurch Bay and the Isle of Wight. There are a number of routes down to Highcliffe Castle beach, including a gently graded zigzag. The beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles, shelving gently into the sea.

www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset BH23 4LE, Tel: 01425 278807

INTECH Family Science Centre

INTECH, Winchester, Hampshire

INTECH is a science centre with 100 hands-on exhibits for all the family to enjoy. Everything is under cover, so it's an all-weather attraction.

Kids love running around pushing buttons, pulling levers and looking through peep holes. The idea is to explore different aspects of science whilst having fun.

Some of the exhibits are looking a bit tired and some of the explanations could be clearer, but children don't seem to notice.

There is free parking, a cafe with good food and a great shop stocked with "pocket money" items as well as more expensive things.

INTECH organises activities during the school holidays and it's a great venue for children's birthday parties.

www.intech-uk.com
Morn Hill, Off Alresford Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HX, Tel: 01962 863 791