Discover things to do with kids in Winchester
There's something for everyone.
Create some new family memories when you stay with us at Norton Park Hotel. There’s plenty of fun for all ages to be had in Winchester.
Marwell Zoo
35 minute drive
Want to see the biggest species of tiger?
Head to Marwell Zoo to see Amur tigers, snow leopards, and rhinos, plus lots of smaller animals like meerkats, birds, and reptiles. Marwell Zoo are also trying to become more sustainable, with the hope that their Tropical House will be completely carbon neutral soon.
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium
20 minute drive
Take a trip across the stars.
Hear stories about our Solar System and find out what it’s like to be a real astronaut in space. You can also sit in a giant guitar and find out how sound and vibration travel or make sounds in giant echo tubes.
Cluecapers
25 minute drive
Can you beat the clock?
With three indoor rooms and two outdoor rooms around Winchester, this escape room will really get you thinking. Will you escape in time?
Paultons Park
35 minute drive
Just beyond Winchester lies Paultons Park, Hampshire’s top family theme park, spread across 140 acres with more than 70 rides and attractions. It’s home to the UK’s only Peppa Pig World, multiple themed lands like Lost Kingdom and Tornado Springs, plus a collection of animals and play zones. With rides for toddlers to thrill-seekers, it’s a full-day destination for families staying at Norton Park.
Milestones Museum
22 minute drive
Step into living history at Milestones Museum, where recreated streets bring Hampshire life from the Victorian era through to the 1930s and 1940s. Visitors can browse vintage shops and vehicles, try old-fashioned amusements, and see costumed characters in immersive scenes. It’s especially great on rainy days and for families wanting to blend education with nostalgic fun.
Royal Victoria Railway
45 minute drive
Take a leisurely ride on the Royal Victoria Railway, a one-mile miniature narrow-gauge line in Royal Victoria Country Park, offering panoramic views over Southampton Water and the park’s woodlands. With both open and enclosed coaches for all-weather comfort, children and adults will enjoy this charming ride as part of a day out in nature.
Family fun at Norton Park
Rollercoasters, rhinos, rockets and plenty of outdoor adventures make Norton Park a brilliant base for a family break in Hampshire.
We've compiled a fun-filled itinerary of our top recommendations so you can make the most out of your stay with us - read on below!
Inspiration for your itinerary
Travelling from the west along the A303? Stop off at Stonehenge, around 35 - 40 minutes from the hotel. See one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments for yourself and explore recreated Neolithic houses. Definitely one to tick off your bucket list.
If you’re coming from the north, stop off at Donnington Castle near Newbury. The ruins are perfect for pretending to be knights, and it’s a great spot for a picnic lunch or just burning off some energy.
For rides, characters and plenty of fun, Paultons Park is around 35 minutes away. Younger kids can meet their favourites in Peppa Pig World, while older children - and brave grown-ups - have more than enough rollercoasters and thrill rides to choose from.
Animal lovers should head to Marwell Zoo, also around 35 minutes away. Meet tigers, rhinos, snow leopards and plenty more, then break up the animal spotting with a visit to one of the adventure playgrounds.
Or blast off at Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium. Get hands-on with interactive exhibits, experiment with sound and discover more about space before settling down for a show in the planetarium. The perfect option for a rainy day.
Head to the Army Flying Museum. Get up close to helicopters and planes, climb inside some of the exhibits, dress up and have a go at assembling a Lynx helicopter engine. There’s even a ‘Helicopters in Action’ show and aircraft-themed playground for younger visitors.
For a free mini-adventure, head to Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort. Climb the huge ancient ramparts, follow the short story trail and imagine what life was like here thousands of years ago. There are brilliant views from the top too.
History fans can visit The Great Hall in Winchester, around 20 minutes away, and see the famous Round Table linked to the legend of King Arthur.
Got older kids who love a challenge? ClueCapers is around 25 minutes away, with escape-room adventures that’ll put your family's teamwork to the test.
There’s plenty to do without leaving Norton Park’s 54 acres.
Head outside for giant Jenga or cornhole, borrow a board game or simply explore the parkland around the hotel. When everyone needs cooling down, make for the pool during dedicated family swim times - and if someone forgot the goggles, you can even pick up swimming essentials at the hotel shop.
No need to pack up and head straight back home. Squeeze in one last activity on the way.
Heading west? Follow one of the Overton Jane Austen Trails, around 15 minutes from the hotel. The walking routes weave through the countryside where Jane Austen grew up and are an easy way to fit in one final dose of fresh air.
Or, if you’re heading towards Winchester or the south, climb St Catherine’s Hill, around 20 minutes away. It’s a free final adventure with brilliant views.
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