Loved the pubs? Now try these...

Hampshire is a big county with lots on offer for families, but sometimes the information seems to be spread across too many leaflets, websites and magazines. Here are our top websites to help you find the information you need for a family outing.

Visitor attractions

Hampshire’s attractions have quizzes, hands-on exhibits, living history performances, special events and other features that will tickle your child’s imagination and whet their curiosity. For a shortcut to a great selection of places to visit, try www.visit-hampshire.co.uk or go to www.hampshireattractions.co.uk for some money-saving special offers. Local tourist information centres offer really helpful advice for a good day out with the family, so try them out with a challenge or two this holiday.

Theatres, galleries and concert halls

Many arts venues offer workshops, crafts sessions and performances designed especially for children. They provide the perfect escape to a fantasy world; a safe place for a really messy art activity, or an introduction to new hobbies. Venues that are keen to welcome families often display the Family Friendly logo on their websites and brochures. For ideas around Hampshire and further afield, check www.familywhatson.com/specialevents.asp

Libraries

All over the country, libraries are reinventing themselves. Library staff run storytelling sessions, baby rhyme times and ‘meet the author’ events, and host a wide range of oher performances and workshops by other organisations too. No one will tell you to ‘be quiet’ these days: libraries are places for children to discover the world around them and have fun while they do it. Go to www3.hants.gov.uk/library-children.htm for events, book recommendations and information on how to claim your dinosaur library card. If you live in the Portsmouth area try www.portsmouth.gov.uk/learning/29.html and in Southampton go to www.southampton.gov.uk/sleisure/libraries/ and follow the family links.

Cycling around Hampshire

Hampshire has lots of good tracks for safe, family cycling. If you are not sure quite where or how to start, try one of the many cycle hire businesses in the New Forest. Alternatively, if you are looking for new ideas, you can download routes for free from the Hampshire County Council website. Many of the routes pass close to our family-friendly pubs, so you can combine a healthy ride with a tasty lunch. Log onto http://www3.hants.gov.uk/cycling/cycling-maps-leaflets.htm or visit your local tourist information centre to buy a pack of 12 for £2.99.

Special events

There are hundreds of festivals and special events across the county each year, from ice rinks and Chinese New Year celebrations to melas, traditional country shows, boat shows, street theatre festivals and Hallowe’en hauntings.

Many of these are free or make special provision for families. Log onto www.visit-hampshire.co.uk and follow the ‘what’s on’ link.