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Take a walk through the seasons with the magical woodland walk and flying display of the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Winter Woodland Lights.
Around 150 varieties of seed potato, advice from an RHS gold medal winning grower, talks on potato growing, cookery demonstrations and children’s activities. www.potatoday.uk
Local music festival celebrating the best & upcoming talent www.icebreakerfestival.com
Shrove Tuesday.
A white carpet of of snowdrop Golanthus nivalis covers the lawn of this ancient priory. Mottisfont Abbey, Mottisfont, Romsey, SO51 0LP, 01794 340757
Snowdrop line the trails from the car park to the Walled Garden. They can also be found in the Wild Garden, amongst the yellow aconites. The gardens are open for special snowdrop viewings. The Vyne, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke RG24 9HL,01256 883858.
A celebration of cocktails. www.winchestercocktailweek.co.uk
Portsmouth has a strong literary heritage including Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and HG Wells and Portsmouth BookFest continues that tradition, attracting diverse audiences to exciting events featuring popular and accessible authors. www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk
Winchester Guildhall, High Street. The festival is organised by volunteers of the South Hants branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and features 75+ different real ales, ciders, perries and foreign bottled beers. www.winchesterbeerfestival.org.uk
For over a century this festival has promoted music in and around Petersfield, from singers to instrumentalists of all ages. www.petersfieldmusicfestival.org.uk
A special walking trail will guide visitors to see the best primrose displays, and also showcase Exbury’s award-winning Camellia’s on the Old and New Camellia Walks. Late March to April.
In aid of Naomi House & Jacksplace’s Caterpillar Appeal.
Free. Hundreds of new and used boats for sale (be dayboats, sportsboats and RIBs, as well as larger sail and power boats) , practical workshops in association with the RYA, and family entertainment including events such as kayak polo. www.hamblepointboatshow.co.uk.
Boatjumble boasts hundreds of stalls and stands selling new and used kit, clothes and craft. www.beaulieu.co.uk
www.winchesterfashionweek.com
From late April until mid-May Exbury’s woodland floors are carpeted with English bluebells
Butser Ancient Farm. Beltain, or Beltane, is the ancient Celtic celebration to mark the beginning of summer, with music, dancing and the burning of the giant Wickerman. www.butserancientfarm.co.uk
Crab Wood, Farley Mount Country Park (Winchester), Micheldever Wood (Winchester), Otterbourne Park Wood (Eastleigh), Upper Barn & Crowdhill Copse (Eastleigh). More about where to find bluebells in Hampshire
The Tour of the Worthys takes in some of the most scenic and un-touched country lanes the Hampshire hills has to offer, the Worthy’s route starts at Perins School in Alresford and tours the surrounding areas of Kings Worthy and Martyr Worthy. Choice of 30 and 50 mile routes available. www.hampshiretourseries.co.uk/cycling
Hampshire horticulturalists regularly exhibit at the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Huge range of vehicles on static display at The War Memorial Park.
www.basingstoke.gov.uk/rte.aspx?id=1343
British Touring Cars racing at Thruxton. www.thruxtonracing.co.uk. Photos of BTCC at Thruxton
Netley Marsh Showground, Meadowmead Farm, Netley Marsh, Hampshire, SO40 7GY. Living Heritage’s longest running country fair. 01283 820548 info@livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk
The entire centre of New Alresford becomes a huge street festival, with a large food market showcasing the very best local producers have to offer. Award-winning and well known local chefs share their passion for watercress during cookery demonstrations throughout the day. www.watercressfestival.org.
A vibrant mix of music, song and dance in the streets, pubs and concert venues of Winchester with folk, jazz, blues and roots music, colourful dance displays and children’s events. Many events are free and take place in the High Street, the Square, on Cathedral Green and in some of Winchester’s favourite watering holes. www.winchestermayfest.co.uk.
Victoria Park. Free fun for all the family. www.portsmouthsummerfair.org
Annual Summer Open Studios event. A chance for visitors to browse the vibrant studio spaces and buy an exquisite array of wares, expertly hand-crafted by local designer-makers. The studios’ resident designer-makers will be on hand to welcome visitors, talk about their crafts and show off their work. A selection of local artists and makers will also be setting up shop in the studios’ Production House for the event’s popular Maker’s Fair, whilst a number of artisanal food and coffee stalls outside on the forecourt will provide refreshments.
Brings an array of colour to the sky above Down Grange. www.basingstoke.gov.uk/kite-festival
www.alresfordmusicfestival.com.
Vicarage Farm, Woodmancott. www.blissfields.co.uk.
Events held across the county all month. Farm tours, local food-themed festival menus and celebration dinners, hands-on cookery, chocolate and jam-making workshops, butchery master classes, brewery tours, vineyard tours and wine tasting, cookery demonstrations, barbecues, ox roast and barn dance, vegetable carving workshops, orchard walk and juice tasting, maize maze, lavender farm walks, lavender chocolate-making and lavender teas, amateur chef competition, bakery and fish filleting demonstrations, farmers’ markets and more. www.hampshirefare.co.uk
www.fleetcarnival.org.
Over 90 real ales plus real ciders, real perries and UK & foreign bottled beers www.southamptonbeerfestival.org.uk
Hampshire’s breweries come out to show off their latest tipples for charity. Expect Beer, cider, wine, food and music. www.altonbeerfestval.co.uk
Down Grange Sports Complex, Pack Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 5SN
Lordshill Sports Ground, 5 Acre Field, Lordshill, Southampton
Roydon Woods
Celebrating the time Jane Austen spent in Alton & Chawton. A week of events taking place in Alton and Chawton, including singing, drama, music, tours, talks, Regency Day and Victorian Cricket. Last full week of June www.janeaustenregencyweek.co.uk
Just over the border in West Sussex the world famous Goodwood Festival of Speed brings together a mix of Motorsport and many famous faces – 4th-7th July 2019
The UK’s longest running festival of the outdoor arts. DJs, dancing, art installations and processions. www.hatfair.co.uk
Music, talks, drama and visual arts
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The biggest event of its kind in the world. Meet the pilots and talk to ground crew as you walk through static displays and get up close to an unrivalled gathering of aircraft and ground-breaking aviation technology. Take your place on the edge of the runway and hold-tight for a thrilling 4-hour display of aerobatics, vintage flying greats and some of the fastest aircraft in the sky. www.farnborough.com/public-welcome.
Road procession, a wide variety of music by local and national artists, fairground, beer tent, food and drink outlets. www.andovercarnival.org.
Created in 2012 to showcase the wealth of talent and community spirit in the borough. www.basingstokefestival.co.uk
It starts at the statue in Wantage, his birthplace and ends near Alfred’s final resting place in Hyde Abbey www.ridew2w.co.uk
Annual agricultural show held for three days at the end of July at New Park, Brockenhurst . Family day out with much to do, learn and see. The show attracts, on average, 95,000 visitors every year and brings together a celebration of traditional country pursuits, crafts, produce and entertainment. www.newforestshow.co.uk
Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Family day out with woodland crafts and conservation.
Froyle Park. 4-ring horse show, rural crafts, food marquee and more. www.altonshow.co.uk.
Watch the riders racing at almost 200mph.
Bank Holiday weekend. Held on and around Castle Field in Southsea. www.victoriousfestival.co.uk
Southsea Common. Free. One of the biggest events of its kind in the world. www.portsmouthkitefestival.org.uk.
Matterley Estate, Alresford Rd, Winchester. BoomTown started in 2009 and is one of the UK’s wildest and most inspiring independent festivals. 9 themed districts with ska, reggae, folk, world, hip-hop, drum n bass, jungle, garage www.boomtownfair.co.uk
Stockbridge High Street.
Two day family food festival. Wide range of produce and experts. cheeseandchillifestival.com
Cars, music and amazing food from host venue Laverstoke Park
Burley newforestfairyfestival.com
The Tour of the Candovers is a cycle sportive originally set up by Odiham Cycle Club to encourage members of the Hampshire & surrounding areas cycle community come together and enjoy the fantastic cycling routes on our doorstep. Routes of 20, 40 and 60 miles.
www.hampshiretourseries.co.uk/cycling
Celebrating local history, architecture and culture. Discover hidden places, tales of the past and get a chance to experience something new. All events free but some need booking www.winchesterheritageopendays.org
Started in 2014. www.eastleighfilmfestival.com
Take a step back in time at this fantastic circuit just over the border in West Sussex.
Started in 2014 to celebrate the convenience and diversity of the city’s shopping offer,from boutique, antique and High Street to designer. Shopping discounts, street markets and free live entertainment
A celebration of all things boating, it provides real experiences both on and off the water and a fun-filled day out for the whole family.
Broadlands. Held annually since 1842. Farmers show cattle and sheep and compete to win the livestock classes. Also, equine events, falconry, gun dog training and hound parade. www.romseyshow.co.uk.
Emsworth. Food-related activities in and around Emsworth. www.emsworth.org.uk
Butser Ancient Farm. Burning of the handcrafted Viking long boat to celebrate Autumn Equinox www.butserancientfarm.co.uk
Started in 2014. The event is bi-ennial and held at Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB. A three-day celebration of inspiring poetry with readings, discussion and workshops and many award-winning poets and rising stars. Includes events for children. Many events free. www.winchesterpoetryfestival.org
Portsmouth. 10-mile running event taking in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Spinnaker Tower and views of the Isle of Wight. www.greatrun.org/great-south-run
Basingstoke. Organised by Wessex Heritage Trust at Basingstoke Cricket and Sports Ground. Around 180 beers, ciders and wines from the region. Bands and musicians, arts, crafts, puppetry, storytelling and theatre. www.hampshireoctoberfest.co.uk
Hyde900 event to celebrate King Alfred. hyde900.org.uk
Various Halloween events around the county
Firework displays throughout the county.
At King George V playing fields. Includes bonfire.
Eastleigh. The event is a chance for members of the public to see behind the doors of the resident designer-maker studios, and shop for local handmade gifts and artworks. Teas, coffees and mulled wine are also provided for visitors. sorting-office.co.uk
Various Christmas light switch-on’s held across the county.
Take a walk through the beautiful lit gardens
Festive steam train rides on the Watercress Line
Festive lights at Marwell
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey. The event brings together a selection of talented artists and makers with a range of high quality arts and crafts in the beautiful setting of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Visitor Centre. Free entry. www.artfulevents.co.uk
Traditional German market with 40 alpine chalets offering everything from bratwurst and waffles to gingerbread hearts. Flying Santa over the city centre daily.