Half-Term Fun, Coastal Walks, and Treasure Hunts

Hi there Hampshire,

It’s been a few weeks—sorry about that. Things are back to normal now, and I have plenty to share.

If you have kids, you’ll know it’s half-term (and you might be wondering how to fill the time). Don’t worry, I’ve got some last-minute ideas to keep them entertained. And if you don’t have kids? Well, you might want to plan your escape from the crowds.

🥷 Shout-out to Ninja Warrior in Southampton - we went over the weekend, and the kids absolutely loved it. Think giant obstacle courses and plenty of ways to burn off energy. If you need a fun way to wear them out (or fancy testing your own ninja skills), it’s well worth a visit.

One of the UK’s Oldest Tide Mills: A Waterfront Walk

Eling Tide Mill is one of the UK’s last working tide mills, located on the edge of the New Forest. Although the mill is currently waiting for repairs and not milling, it remains a great place to visit.

There is a great waterfront walk, a crabbing spot, a play area, and a café with views of the boats in the marina. It is dog-friendly, pushchair-friendly, and has a free car park (if arriving from the east, you will need to pay a £1 toll, which is refunded if you visit the mill).

Things to Do

• Visit the Mill and Discovery Room – Learn about tide-powered milling and explore interactive exhibits. The mill is open on weekends from 11am to 4pm.

• Go Crabbing from the Toll Bridge – Bring a crabbing line and try catching some shoreline wildlife.

• Walk the Easy Loop – A 1.5km flat path with boardwalks and bridges, passing the mill pond and wetlands.

• Visit the Play Area – A great spot for children located near the shoreline.

• Visit the Mill Café – Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 4pm, serving drinks and snacks.

Getting There

• Parking: Free car park at SO40 9HB (W3W: rescue/vibe/forgot). A £1 toll applies when arriving from the east but is refunded if visiting the mill.

• Public Transport: Totton train station is a 10-minute walk away. Bluestar Bus 6 or 8 stops at Batts Corner.

Eling Tide Mill is a great spot for a peaceful walk, a family outing, or just a coffee by the water. Even though the mill is not currently producing flour, there is plenty to see and do.

For more details check out Eling Tide Mill’s Website.

Photo of the Week

The New Forest is always a great place to explore, and this photo really captures its peaceful atmosphere. With half-term here, it’s an ideal spot for a walk—whether you’re out for some fresh air or hoping to see the ponies.

Half-Term in the New Forest

• Plenty of scenic trails through woodland and heathland

• Free-roaming ponies and other wildlife to spot

• Mixed weather this week—best to bring wellies and wrap up warm

• A simple, free way to enjoy the outdoors - pack a hot drink and a snack

Are you heading out anywhere in the forest this week?

This Week’s Events in Hampshire

Featured Event: Let’s Glow 2025

Dates: Thursday 20 February – Saturday 22 February
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Location: Basingstoke Town Centre
Cost: Free

Let’s Glow returns to Basingstoke for three nights of dazzling light displays and interactive installations. The Top of Town and War Memorial Park will be transformed into a glowing wonderland, perfect for an evening stroll. With plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, you can make a night of it. Easily accessible from Basingstoke bus and train station and close to car parks. I’ll be visiting, so I might see you there!

Find out more here.

Monday 17th February

City Reflections in Southampton! - Southampton - 18:00 (3 hours, Free)
Deer Dates - New Forest Wildlife Park

Tuesday 18th February

Mission Penguin Egg Story and Craft - Gilbert White's House and Gardens - 11:30
Rude Science - Portsmouth Guildhall - 11:00
Half Term Silent Disco - Groundlings Theatre, Portsmouth - Sessions at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30
City Reflections in Southampton! - Southampton - 18:00 (3 hours, Free)

Wednesday 19th February

Take Me on the Terra Nova - Gilbert White's House and Gardens - 10:30 - 14:30
The Whale: Plastic Ocean - Winchester Cathedral - Sessions at 10:00, 10:30 (sold out), 12:00, 12:30, 14:00
Half Term Silent Disco - Groundlings Theatre, Portsmouth - Sessions at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30
City Reflections in Southampton! - Southampton - 18:00 (3 hours, Free)

Thursday 20th February

Mission Penguin Egg Story and Craft - Gilbert White's House and Gardens - 11:30
City Reflections in Southampton! - Southampton - 18:00 (3 hours, Free)
Let’s Glow! Basingstoke - Basingstoke Town Centre - 18:00 - 21:00

Friday 21st February

Let’s Glow! Basingstoke - Basingstoke Town Centre - 18:00 - 21:00
Family Movie Days: Luca - Sky Park Farm, Petersfield - 14:00
How to be a Whale - Winchester Cathedral - 19:30 - 21:30
City Reflections in Southampton! - Southampton - 18:00 (3 hours, Free)

Saturday 22nd February

Let’s Glow! Basingstoke - Basingstoke Town Centre - 18:00 - 21:00
Pizza and Milkshake Workshop - Solent Hotel & Spa, Fareham - 11:00 - 12:30
Operation: Spies and Lies - The D-Day Story, Southsea - 10:00 - 16:00
How to be a Whale - Winchester Cathedral - 19:30 - 21:30
Owls by Moonlight - Hawk Conservancy Trust - 17:30 - 20:30

Sunday 23rd February

Exciting Science - Theatre Royal Winchester - 11:00 - 12:50
Eastney Engine Houses Open Day - Eastney Engine Houses, Southsea - 10:00 - 15:00
Operation: Spies and Lies - The D-Day Story, Southsea - 10:00 - 16:00

Ongoing Events

Wonderful Wildlife Week - Blue Reef Aquarium, Southsea - 15th - 23rd February (10:00 - 17:00)
The Creature Cases Trail - Marwell Zoo - 17th - 23rd February
Deer Dates - New Forest Wildlife Park - 17th - 23rd February

Geocaching: A Treasure Hunt in Hampshire

Ever wanted to go on a real-life treasure hunt? That’s exactly what geocaching is! It’s a free outdoor adventure where you use a GPS-enabled device (or just your phone) to find hidden containers - called geocaches - tucked away in parks, forests, and countryside spots.

There are hundreds of geocaches hidden across Hampshire, including at Royal Victoria Country Park, River Hamble Country Park, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, and Titchfield Haven. When you find a cache, you can sign the logbook and, if it’s big enough, swap a small item (like a toy or keyring) for something left by another explorer.

I’ve done it in the New Forest before—found a little box and left a toy behind for the next person - it was great fun!

How to Get Started

1. Download the Geocaching app (or visit Geocaching.com).
2. Choose a cache nearby and navigate to the coordinates.
3. Hunt for the hidden treasure! It could be in a tree, under a bench, or even disguised as a rock.
4. Sign the logbook and, if it’s a tradable cache, swap an item.
5. Put it back exactly where you found it for the next adventurer!

Want to Hide Your Own?

You can even place your own cache, but there are a few rules:
✅ Get the landowner’s permission.
✅ Clearly label the container and make sure it’s safe for kids.
✅ Don’t bury caches or place them in animal homes.
✅ No food, drinks, or anything unsafe inside the box.

Geocaching is a fun, free, and family-friendly way to explore new places. Let me know if you give it a go!

Hampshire Hot Picks

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