Enterprise offer a wide range of affordable car and van rentals for exploring an area and driving to or from your destination. Southampton Airport is around 4.5 miles from the city of Southampton and is a bustling place that handles a large number of passengers. Car hire with Enterprise at Southampton International Airport is ideal for organising your trip, whether you've landed at the airport for business or leisure. 

You don't need to use public transport when you can drive in comfort and according to your own schedule. Getting to Southampton in your hire car will only take around 15 minutes. Furthermore, the M3 and M27 motorways are close to the airport, so you can drive further afield with ease. 

One way car hire is available so you can drop of your hire car at another branch and they will provide you with a lift to your destination, whether that be the airport, cruise terminal or home. 

Boundary Lakes, the Ageas Bowl's picturesque 18-hole golf course, recently opened in July 2017.

The par-69 parkland course, set against the iconic background of Hampshire Cricket's home, and complete with USGA standard greens and shimmering lakes, will provide a stern test for both high and low handicappers when it opens this summer.

The off-course facilities, including; changing rooms, pro shop, bar, golf restaurant and clubhouse will all be housed within the luxury Hilton at the Ageas Bowl.

Winchester, the perfect English city, is a vibrant heritage destination just an hour south west of London.

A city steeped in history, Winchester is England's ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great.

Today Winchester combines the best of city life with the freshness of the surrounding countryside. One hour from London, this is England as it used to be.

With world class attractions and architecture including a magnificent Cathedral, award-winning pubs and restaurants and a tempting array of independent shops. This culturally rich medieval city is surrounded by idyllic Hampshire villages and the fabulous rolling countryside of the South Downs National Park.

Explore the natural world with Gilbert White & The Oates Collections. 

Gilbert White & The Oates Collections celebrates the lives of three explorers of the natural world. The historic house was the home of the eighteenth century pioneering naturalist Gilbert White; whose major work The Natural History of Selborne has never been out of print since its publication in 1789. The House is surrounded by 25 acres of majestic restored garden and parkland, which specialises in eighteenth century plants and gardening methods inspired by Gilbert White.

The Museum is also home to the Oates Collections where visitors can discover the stories of the nineteenth century explorer Frank Oates, who travelled extensively around Africa and Central America and the heroic Captain Lawrence Oates. The Collection commemorates the life of Lawrence Oates, who travelled with Scott to the South Pole on the epic yet ill fated Terra Nova Expedition of 1912.

This unique and diverse, interactive Museum also boasts a fantastic café which serves food throughout the day, a well-stocked gift shop and outdoor plant sales.  

Let the train take the strain as you sit back, relax and travel through the heart of the English countryside. Whether you are taking a trip down memory lane or creating new ones, it’s the perfect way to unwind and experience the nostalgic sights, sounds and smells of steam travel from a bygone age.

We are open every weekend from mid-February to the end of October, daily during school holidays and midweek from May until September. 

The Mid Hants Railway was saved from closure in the 1970s and the line re-opened to visitors in 1977. As a charity, our mission is to preserve part of the country’s railway heritage for generations to come, and any profit generated from your visit enables us to do so.

Did you know?

• Virtually everyone you meet during your visit is a volunteer; from station staff and guards, to signalmen and loco crews.

• We have four period stations along a ten mile route between Alresford and Alton
(NB Steam trains will not be operating to or from Alton station until the end of July 2019.)

• Your ticket gives you all day unlimited travel so you can hop on and off as you wish, exploring both the stations and surrounding area

• We welcome group visits and offer special tours and discounts rates for 15+

• One free adult carer per full fare paying disable child or adult

• Dogs and bicycles travel free

• Check out our events we have throughout the year

Embrace your wild side at Marwell Zoo! Home to hundreds of endangered and exotic species in 140 acres of beautiful parkland, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy and admire. From Amur tigers to brilliant birds, Marwell offers you the chance to get up close to the amazing members of the animal kingdom.

The zoo is owned and operated by conservation charity Marwell Wildlife, so, by visiting, you’ll be contributing to incredible projects to conserve species and habitats both in Hampshire and around the world.

Next stop: paradise. Head over to the ‘Energy for Life’ Tropical House. This innovative and sustainable exhibit shows off a stunning environment where summer is eternal, and birds are free to fly overhead. As you walk through this immersive display, peer through lush foliage and get face-to-face with a Linne’s two-toed sloth.

Delight in the daily animal talks and feeds with Rothschild’s giraffes, meerkats and Humboldt penguins. The miniature railway is great for up-close animal views and the road train makes for a fantastically fun ride!

2020 is set to be an exciting year at the zoo with the addition of their new event SUPERSIZED! The larger than life brick adventure features up to 40 models of real-life creatures with an explosion of colour and size.

Plus, from Easter 2020 enjoy a new wallaby walkthrough experience, including an idyllic dwell area and natural seating – the perfect spot for relaxation.

Look out for new arrivals around the zoo throughout the year! Marwell Zoo is open daily from 10am, 363 days a year. Closing times and admissions prices vary. Please check the Marwell website for full ticket prices and other details.

Explore more than 1000 years of history in Europe’s longest medieval Cathedral. Discover the beautiful illuminated Winchester Bible, 12th-century wall paintings, medieval carvings, contemporary art and the awe and wonder of this magnificent building.

A free children’s trail, written by a professional children’s writer, offers families a fun and informative look at the Cathedral and introduces them to some of the characters associated with its colourful past and present.

Cathedral Guides offer tours of the Cathedral each hour from 10am – 3pm and tours of the crypt at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

A wide range of events take place throughout the year. From classical concerts, open-air theatre and themed lunches to children’s holiday activities, exhibitions and a major Christmas Market and real Ice Rink.

The Cathedral Café, with its pretty garden and open-air terrace, is the perfect place to stop for mid-morning coffee and pastry, delicious homemade lunch or Hampshire cream tea. The Cathedral Shop sells a wide range of unique gifts, souvenirs and CDs of the famous Cathedral Choir.

Winchester Science Centre is more than a day out. It’s a chance to spark your children’s curiosity in science which could lead them on an exciting journey for life! Situated in the stunning South Downs National Park, this exciting family destination is the South of England’s hands-on, interactive science and technology centre with the largest standalone planetarium in the UK. Book General Admission online at least three days in advance to save 25%!

Hands-on exhibition

There are lots of interactive exhibits to explore, aiming to spark curiosity in all the family and bring the worlds of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to life. The Science Centre is also home to Explorer:Space, an awe-inspiring, immersive space zone where your family can take an epic journey through the Solar System and learn about all things space, from meteorites to human space flight. Be sure to visit the Invention Studio, a place where you can create, construct and be challenged with the help of friendly Inspirers.

Included in admission every weekend and school holiday are explosive live science shows together with hands-on activities and challenges focused around popular themes. These themes are fun and quirky, serving as a great introduction to the inspiring world of science for children and their families.

Planetarium

The planetarium offers an unforgettable experience. The 360° cinema screen completely surrounds the audience, placing everyone right in the action. Relax back in your seat and get sucked into a black hole, fly through the Solar System or take a flight in a cardboard rocket.

There are two different show formats – fulldome films, which are high-quality, digital pre-recorded animations, and live shows during which a presenter takes you on a tour through space.

The Science Centre also offers three different show environments to ensure that everyone can enjoy the planetarium. Most are chatterbox shows which offer a relaxed, family-friendly environment where the audience are welcome to call out, ask questions and talk to others about what they see. Quiet shows are for those who would prefer a quiet environment to enjoy the planetarium experience. There are also relaxed shows, designed to be welcoming and inviting to those with sensory sensitives and their loved ones. Adjustments include lights left on low, sound turned down and freedom to move around.

Hub Café & Science Shop

You’ll find an excellent choice of hot and cold drinks, lunch options and snacks at the Hub Café. There is indoor and outdoor seating for those purchasing refreshments as well as a picnic area if you prefer to bring your own lunch. The Science Shop offers a variety of unusual STEM gifts, from pocket-money mementos to quality books and experiments to try at home.

Paultons Park and the UK's only Peppa Pig World are now even bigger and better than ever!

There is an amazing variety of things to see and do at Paultons including; big rides, small rides, play areas, entertainments and an astonishing collection of exotic birds and animals, all set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland.

Peppa Pig World has over 5 acres of fully themed fun! There are 9 fabulous rides including Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter Flight, Peppa’s Big Balloon Ride, Grandpa’s Little Train, George’s Dinosaur Adventure and you can even ride in a ‘cloud’ around Windy Castle! New for 2018 is The Queen's Flying Coach Ride and Grampy Rabbit's Sailing Club! The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride will take families on a royal tour around part of Peppa Pig World in individual coaches starting from the top of the majestic Queen’s Castle. Children and parents will also be able to hop aboard brightly coloured boats at Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club where they can join the adventure and sail around Peppa Pig World and discover Pirate Island!

Peppa Pig World features a huge indoor play area, Georges Spaceship Playzone and superb animated themed attractions including a chance to visit Peppa and her family in their house! Peppa Pig World is also home to Daddy Pig’s Big Tummy café and Peppa’s Toy Shop, the largest (and only!) dedicated Peppa Pig shop in the World!

Lost Kingdom is an amazing Dinosaur Theme Park World that features two world class family rollercoasters, life-like animatronic dinosaurs, Jurassic themed family rides, a Prehistoric adventure play park and an amazing opportunity to come face to face with ‘living’, walking Dinosaurs!

Guests can soar high into the skies upon on The Flight of the Pterosaur, a mighty and unique suspended coaster, which takes family adventurers swooping high and low around a prehistoric landscape.

The Dinosaur Tour Co. takes visitors on an exciting 4x4 jeep expedition to come face to face with some of the largest and most fearsome dinosaurs to have walked the planet.

Only the bravest explorers will take on Velociraptor. Those who dare to board this breath-taking family boomerang coaster will sense the speed and agility of the Velociraptor as drops and sweeps around tight bends and through ancient tunnels.

Everyday there is an incredible opportunity to meet ‘living’ tame (ish) walking dinosaurs at Alive – Dinosaur Encounter.

Younger explorers can enjoy iconic views across Lost Kingdom on Temple Heights, choose between riding in a huge dinosaur egg or giant stone on the swirling Boulder-Dash ride, ride the cute mini-coaster, Dino Chase and let off steam at the Little Explorers’ Play Park.

Discover Lost Kingdom and experience a journey to a lost land that will never be forgotten.

Critter Creek is a world of strange mixed-up creatures known as the ‘Curious Critters’! Meet the Fly-ger or say hello to the Horned Swamp Donkey! You can take a ride on the Cat-o-pillar rollercoaster and discover enormous colourful plants the likes of which have never been seen before. Critter Creek is also home to Professor Blast’s Discovery Express Train, a delightful journey for little ones and Beastie Burrow, a real life bug emporium complete with fascinating and unusual insects, fish and lizards!

Little Africa houses a number of animals native to the continent, including fennec fox, African crested porcupines, meerkats, Savannah monitor lizards and giant train millipedes, as well as one of the largest rodents in Africa, the Gambian pouched rat, and also the smallest, the African pygmy mouse. At the centre of Little Africa is an impressive aviary where a mix of bird species such as the trumpeter hornbills and black-crowned night herons, will share the same environment that has been designed to replicate an African waterhole

Top for thrills is the Park’s breathtaking ride, EDGE. Riders swoop and spin through the air reaching a height of 15 metres on a giant disc that travels along a 90-metre track featuring a ‘camelback’ hill to create an amazing floating sensation. EDGE was the first ride of its type in the UK and perfectly complements the Park’s other thrilling rides including The Cobra and, last year’s exhilarating new attraction Magma. The largest of Paultons three rollercoasters, The Cobra features an exciting combination of twists, drops and turns that have made it a great family favourite whilst Magma launches riders 25 metres up in to the sky only to drop them back down in to the heart of a smoking volcano!

Smaller children will love Water Kingdom! It’s a whole world of water jets, giant tipping buckets, sprays, fountains, and super soakers for the little ones to enjoy and explore. This huge 8,500ft2 kids’ splash park paradise features more than 20 different ways of getting wet and has a seated patio area nearby so parents can relax whilst watching the fun.

Younger children also adore the beautiful garden-themed Trekking Tractors ride, Seal Falls and the Digger

Daily penguin feeding sessions also take place throughout the year, featuring an entertaining keeper talk which gives visitors a chance to learn more about these unusual and often humorous birds.

Paultons really is way too much fun for one day!

Further information including a calendar of opening times is available from paultonspark.co.uk

COVID-19

In response to the developing situation surrounding Coronavirus and the most recent advice from the UK Government we are very sorry to say Paultons Park will close from 5.00pm on Friday 20th March until further notice.

This is not a decision that has been made easily having already implemented many additional measures to protect both our guests, staff and suppliers. However, we now feel this is the only and correct course of action available to us in order to limit social interaction in line with the clear recommendations laid out by the Prime Minister.

In renovating Laverstoke Mill, Bombay Sapphire has taken the utmost care to preserve the natural ecology and heritage of the site. To build a long-term legacy at Laverstoke Mill, Bombay Sapphire has also committed to building a sustainable future. The award-winning sustainability measures in design and construction are at the heart of this state-of-the art distillery.

The Winchester City Museum is Hampshire's oldest museum.

The Museum tells the story of the city of Winchester, from an important Roman City later principal city of King Alfred. Through galleries, discover Winchester from its origins as a prehistoric trading centre and Roman regional capital, to its pre-eminence as a principal city in the Anglo- Norman kingdom and then development and decline in the Middle Ages, through to modern times.

Winchester City Museum also includes hands-on activities and quizzes, audio guides and gift shop.

Plus - admission is free!