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Things to do in Hampshire

Our most recommended things to do in Hampshire

Portsmouth: Spinnaker Tower Ticket

1. Portsmouth: Spinnaker Tower Ticket

Experience the south coast’s most spectacular view. Spinnaker Tower stands at 170 meters tall, offering breath-taking 23-mile views over Portsmouth Harbour, the city, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. The iconic landmark boasts a high-speed lift and three sky-high viewing decks. Venture across the thrilling glass ‘Sky Walk’ at 100 meters above sea level; discover stories behind the surrounding sites with informative touchscreen displays; try vertigo-inducing virtual reality, breath in the view from the open air ‘Sky Garden’; relax in The Clouds with a coffee, a glass of bubbly or a decadent High Tea; and enjoy delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients in the Waterfront Cafe.

The Mary Rose: Day Admission Ticket

2. The Mary Rose: Day Admission Ticket

Visit the new state-of-the-art museum built around King Henry VIII's flagship which sunk during battle off the coast Portsmouth in 1545. The ship was raised from the seabed in 1982 and the award-winning museum was built in 2013. Walk through a range of interactive displays in which 9,000 Tudor artifacts also rescued from the seabed have been reunited from the ship. See how these artefacts tell the story of life on board for the crew and officers in Tudor times. The Mary Rose is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world, and houses the largest and most unique Tudor collection of objects. New for summer 2021: Experience "1545 - When their world ended", a brand new immersive experience that will take you back to July 19, 1545. Re-live the final moments on board the Mary Rose as it sinks during the Battle of the Solent. Step back in time to hear from King Henry VIII and the crew of Britains' most famous shipwreck. Experience the immersive Tudor warship sinking.

Portsmouth: Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket

3. Portsmouth: Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket

Pick from individual or family entry tickets to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Visit attractions including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, The National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS M.33, The Mary Rose Museum, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and The Royal Navy Submarine Museum. Marvel at the exhibitions at the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth and explore in any order you want, and at any time you want within a year. Choose between a family or an individual ticket. Step into the past as you explore historic ships, including Lord Nelson’s world-famous flagship HMS Victory, Queen Victoria’s HMS Warrior, and the First World War’s HMS M.33 Marvel at Henry VIII's Tudor warship, the Mary Rose and take the complimentary waterbus to Gosport to visit the Cold War submarine, HMS Alliance. Enjoy a sightseeing harbor cruise around Portsmouth Harbour and view the ships of the modern Royal Navy for a complete picture of Britain's naval history.

HMS Victory: Day Admission Ticket

4. HMS Victory: Day Admission Ticket

Visit HMS Victory, the Royal Navy’s most famous battleship. Best known for her role in the battle of Trafalgar, the Victory is now the flagship of the first sea lord and a living museum to the Georgian Navy. New for 2021, HMS Victory Under Hull Walkway. Visitors can descend into the base of the dry dock and view the ship from below. The ship stands as a memorial to Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain’s greatest naval hero, and his victory at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Climb aboard HMS Victory and step back in time to the Georgian period. See the cabin where the Battle of Trafalgar was planned. Walk the once crowded decks where over 800 men lived, worked and fought. You can even stand in the spot where Nelson died. HMS Victory is currently undergoing conservation work but is still open, and visitors can experience Victory Live! to find out more about this conservation project.

Downton Abbey and Village Small Group Tour from London

5. Downton Abbey and Village Small Group Tour from London

Become Lord or Lady Grantham for the day, as you visit the film locations used in the BAFTA award-winning Downton Abbey period drama. Hear how the global hit TV series was made and about the actors involved and the wonderful history of the places you visit on this full-day tour. You’ll depart central London in the morning on a drive to the charming Oxfordshire village that has been featured in the series as Downton village. Enjoy a guided tour of locations such as Downton Hospital, the village pub, the former home of Matthew Crawley, and the local church.  Take a short comfort break before continuing on to Highclere Castle, which is the main setting used in Downton Abbey. En route you’ll learn about the thousand-year history of Highclere Castle and life above and below the stairs. Lunch can be purchased at Highclere Castle or you can bring your own lunch and enjoy it on the beautiful grounds. Although guided tours are not allowed inside the castle, you’ll be able to explore the above-stairs area of Downton Abbey independently with the aid of a self-guided information sheet. Imagine life as it was over 100 years ago and enter the world of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants as you wander around the estate. The tour ends in central London.

Winchester: Historic Castles and Cathedrals Walking Tour

6. Winchester: Historic Castles and Cathedrals Walking Tour

Discover the legends of King Arthur and other historic tales on a guided walking tour in Winchester. Explore William the Conqueror's Castle before strolling along the highstreet to Winchester Cathedral. Hear the echoes of John Keats' poetry as you wander along the banks of the River Itchen. Make your way to the West Gate to meet your friendly guide and group for the day. Enter Winchester Castle built by William the Conqueror and wander into the Great Hall. Listen to the legends of King Arthur and view the iconic Round Table. Walk along the high street to reach the world-famous Winchester Cathedral one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Admire the grounds and pay your respects to the English novelist Jane Austen who is buried here. Learn about King Alfred the Great and pass by his statue as you experience the beauty of the River Itchen. Stroll along the charming riverbank which inspired John Keats' poetry and see the ruins of Winchester Palace.

Portsmouth: Hovercraft Flight to the Isle of Wight

7. Portsmouth: Hovercraft Flight to the Isle of Wight

Board your hovercraft for an adrenaline-filled day on the Isle of Wight. When the hovercraft reaches the island, you'll land in a prime sea front position along Ryde's beautiful and inviting beaches. Hop off and enjoy what Ryde and the Isle of Wight have to offer, including the beaches, boutique shops, bars and restaurants, and travel links to elsewhere across the island. After a day of fun on the island, enjoy a same-day return journey back to the Southsea terminal. The journey across the Solent is approximately 10 minutes. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight on the World's only commercial passenger hovercraft service.

London: Downton Abbey, Cotswolds, and Highclere Castle Tour

8. London: Downton Abbey, Cotswolds, and Highclere Castle Tour

Set off on a scenic day trip from London and see some of the highlights of the Cotswolds. Visit filming locations from the show Downton Abbey, discover Highclere Castle, and admire the picturesque countryside in the region on this guided tour. Head to the Cotswolds countryside and visit some of the filming sites of Downton Abbey. Your first stop is Cogges Manor Farm located on the banks of the River Windrush. Learn of the farm’s role in Downton Abbey as Yew Tree Farm where Lady Edith's daughter Marigold was raised by the Drewe family. Visit the kitchens and Mr. Drewe’s living room, see the farmyard where many scenes were filmed, and watch a unique and special video about the farm's role in the popular television series. After a coffee break, continue on to the delightful village of Shilton, famous for its shallow ford and used in series two to double as the village of Swinbrook. It was here that Lady Sybil and Tom Branson spent the night on their aborted elopement. Head to Bampton to see St Mary's Church, the scene of so many weddings and a funeral or two. During your guided walk, take in sites of interest including the cottage hospital, Mrs. Crawley's house, the village green, the post office, Mrs. Patmore’s bed and breakfast, and The Grantham Arms pub. Next, make your way southwards from the Cotswolds to the chalk down land of Hampshire, home to magnificent Highclere Castle, known to many as Lord Grantham's family seat, Downton Abbey itself. Discover familiar locations both inside the castle and out. See where O’Brien tripped up Bates, where Kemal Pamuk’s body was moved, and the dining room where delicious dialogue was served up with decadent food. Visit Robert Crawley’s library and the various bedrooms, and walk down the grand staircase. Enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants here, before heading into the beautiful grounds. In the basement, there is a special Egyptology exhibition, thanks to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and his excavations in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Spend around three hours in Highclere Castle and its grounds before returning back to London.

From London: Day Trip to Downton Abbey, Oxford and Bampton

9. From London: Day Trip to Downton Abbey, Oxford and Bampton

Visit Oxford and top 'Downton Abbey' filming locations on this guided day trip from London. Start the day with a walking tour of Oxford and its famous university buildings. Continue to the Cotswolds’ village of Bampton. Visit the magnificent Highclere Castle with entry tickets included. Board your bus in London and set out on your tour. Journey in a comfortable bus as you head towards your first stop for the day, the city of Oxford. Here, embark on a guided walking tour of the city, home to one of the world’s oldest universities and packed with architectural highlights. Next up is a visit to Bampton, the filming location and setting for the exterior village scenes in Downton Abbey. See the church, the house of Matthew Crawley's mother, and homes transformed into the post office and various pubs. Head to Highclere Castle, the country seat of the Earls of Carnarvon. The tour of the Castle’s public rooms includes the magnificent main hall, the library, sitting rooms, and other rooms featured in Downton Abbey. Take home a copy of Lady Carnarvon's book as a souvenir of your visit.

Transfer from Southampton Cruise Terminal to Hotel/Airport

10. Transfer from Southampton Cruise Terminal to Hotel/Airport

This transfer from any cruise terminal from Southampton cruise terminal to London Hotel or London airports makes traveling simple and easy for you. These transfers operate 24 hours, 7 days a week. This shared transfer will take you to your cruise terminal arrival hall to the destination of your choice. Your driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. They will assist you with your luggage, then drive you to your destination while you relax comfortably in the vehicle.

Frequently asked questions about Hampshire

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What people are saying about Hampshire

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,021 reviews

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the Exhibition which has come a long way since we first went to it when it opened. As an 85-year-old, I would have appreciated Car Parking closer to the Show - and the signage at the CP could have been more prominent. Wonderful day out all the same!

Dan our man was amazing. Highly recommend him and your tour. We loved it Thankyou so much for making our trip so enjoyable !!! We will recommend you to others !

So much to see and explore. Because the ticket is valid for 12 months we will go back a few times to see everything

The views were wonderful; experience not to be missed. Reserve a table in the cafe in advance.

Spent an excellent 3 hours walking around the sites