I never know Mayflower Park existed in Southampton for the first four years I was here. Its a…read morewonderful little park down in Southampton between Town Quay/Dock Gate 4 and Dock Gate 20. Generally hosts all the fireworks for events and celebrations for Southampton and the parties for any major new cruise ships leaving or entering Southampton waters, its an ideal place to take photos of the large cruise ships coming in! There are some great views of the new super huge cruise ships, as they come all the way past into the Mayflower Terminal. Also host the Southampton Boat Show in September. Easily accessible from West Quay Road along the front in Southampton, first exit after Town Quay heading towards Millbrook before you get to De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel.

This is an absolutely superb place for little kids - there's a huge open space for them to run off…read moretheir boundless energy, and a great nautical themed park with a huge pirate ship climbing frame and slide, ships mast swings, swing boat, roundabout, sandpit, windsurfer and bucket swing. For adults, there's lots of reasonably priced car parking which you can extend if you're there longer than you expected (happens to us a lot!) and pay for with your debit card which is very handy. The succession of boats and container ships passing by never ceases to fascinate both me and my son, but unfortunately the ice cream kiosk next to the park also fascinates him and any refusal to buy one usually results in complete meltdown - for this reason, I can only bring myself to give this place 4 stars, but it really is excellent and well worth a visit.

Really lovely place to go for a walk, take children along as there's an activity park (two) along…read morewith a barn which holds a small museum, gift shop and cafe. Beautiful walks and plenty of parking - more expensive at the weekend, but fairly reasonable throughout the week. Lots of people take dogs there for walks, and it's fairly easy to spend a couple of hours there. Fishing nets for children can be hired from the barn to fish in a small pond nearby. There's also a river running through but to do fishing there you need a permit.

Fantastic place for my toddler, love the climbing things shaped like animals in the woods…read more Its nice and big, and the parking is more expensive at weekends but they're are no other costs, so seems pretty good value really.

Not just in the summer but also in the depths of winter! Lovely walks, interesting museum (former…read morehospital chapel) and stunning views; a must.

great for a stroll. lovely grounds. short or long walks. lovely playgrounds for the kids and a…read moreminiature railway. cafe good too! local to us and great value :)

Now in the care of English Heritage, Netley is the most complete surviving Cistercian abbey in…read moresouthern England. Founded in 1238 by Peter de Roches, Bishop of Winchester, it was colonised by monks from nearby Beaulieu Abbey. Almost all the walls of its 13th century church still stand, together with many monastic buildings. The buildings were converted into an impressive country residence by Sir William Paulet, First Marquess of Winchester, who acquired the abbey in 1536 after the Dissolution. Abandoned as a house in the 18th Century, most traces of Paulet's alterations were removed in the 19th century, when Netley's ivy-clad ruins became a favourite of the Romantic movement. Netley was visited by John Constable, who came to paint here, and also by Jane Austen, who may have found inspiration for her novel Northanger Abbey. Access is free although opening times are restricted, especially in winter months. It's a lovely spot for a picnic and feels a long way from the surrounding urban area. There's a small car park - more parking and toilets are available over the road in the Abbey Hall Recreation Ground.

a great day out especially with youngsters. hampshire activity passport makes it even better!read more

Nice country place next to the beach- though don't let your football too near the cliff.read more

Another 'bleak but beautiful' shoreline. Crunchy pebble and sand beach, huge watery vistas looking…read moreout towards the Isle of White and Cowes, backed by a fascinating country park area marshes, heath and New Forest. Lots of family facilities, cafe, visitor centre, toilets, easy parking (might be busy in summer), gentle water (no surfing here mateys), excellent, definitely worth the visit bring a portable chair, picnic and pair of binoculars in the summer and watch the sailing extravaganza in front of you.