“What are we doing today mama?!” This is my daughters’ favourite question, and one that has sent me on desperate google searches and mum groups messaging over the years (I don’t know about you, but if I go to the same place too often, I start to feel dead inside..)

So, we sat down together and brainstormed our favourite outings in (and around) Salisbury, as a go-to recap for us and hopefully a helpful resource for my fellow parents.

We came up with 50 easily and I’m sure we’ll be adding some as and when we remember/discover them!

There are ideas for walks, beaches, gardens, animal parks, cafes, indoor places for the odd (haha..) rainy day, and more.

Feel free to add your favourite ones in the comments to help me out next time the question comes up!

I would have organised them in categories, but then life happened, so they are in the order that they came to mind!

1. Jumpin fun (half price -£8 after school bounce on Thursdays and Fridays 4-6pm)

2. Finkley Down Farm in Andover

3. Rockbourne walk - 5 mile circular walk from Rockbourne village. One that we happily go on multiple times a year. We love this one in Spring, it goes through woodland that gets covered in bluebells and past a stud farm where we can see the foals. I would strongly recommend taking lots of snacks!

4. Figsbury Ring - An Iron Age hillfort. The views from the ramparts reach over Salisbury Plain, Old Sarum and Salisbury Cathedral. Gorgeous at sunset/sunrise (if you’re those kind of people!), especially in spring and summer when it gets covered in wildflowers and long grasses.

5. Hengitsbury Head - lovely walk/scoot/train down to the beach from the car park, with a pit stop at the South African shop in Christchurch for biltong on the way.

6. Old Sarum - gorgeous views, great for the kids to run around, climb and explore. We particularly loved it this year on the solstice, and for a sunset picnic with friends.

A sunny summer evening at Old Sarum

7. Clown About - A classic! My girls definitely had some good times there through the years, though they are 9 and 10 now and we’ve possibly outgrown it.

8. Five Rivers swimming pool - nice variety with the beach pool, slide, and main pool for proper swimming. The cakes from the cafe are a real treat!

9. Salisbury hospital pool - lovely and quiet (and warm!)

10. Furzey gardens - Gorgeous gardens near Lyndhurst, with fairy doors hidden all around for the kids to find. It is particularly enchanting in the spring when everything is in bloom.

11. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey

12. The sand dune at Rockford Common - nice to run up and down and have a walk up on the heathland.

13. Eyeworth Pond in Fritham - Possibly our all time favourite New Forest walk. I have done many family shoots there, the light in the forest is magical, and there are lots of fallen trees for the kids to climb. We usually pack a flask of hot chocolate and cheap lidl pastries, wander off the main track, set up the hammock and have breakfast in the woods. We often see deer and horses and there are also duck and water lilies in the pond. The Royal Oak is great in summer for ice creams in the garden.

14. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary - A great place to spot deer and walk along the Ancient and Ornamental Woodland. The trees there are some of the tallest in the New Forest with Douglas fir, Redwoods, and some native beech and oak.

15. New Forest Water Park - Pricey, but fun!

16. Grovely woods - My favourite place for bluebells, it gets completely covered in places - heavenly! We love it all through the year though, lovely walks and great for den making.

*Bluebell family shoot in Grovely woods*

17. Beaulieu National Motor Museum

Burley - A quirky little New Forest village surrounded by heathland where you can see New Forest ponies roam. It has an interesting history with witchcraft and there are a few whitchy shops selling pagan, wiccan and new age giftware. They have a fairy festival in the summer and heavy horse cart rides from easter - october half term. For a nice caffeine kick I highly recommend Noohn , where you can also book homemade, eco friendly picnic hampers!

18. New Forest Wildlife Park in Ashurst. Such a lovely park. We particularly like walking through the deer and wallaby enclosures.

19. Castle Hill Country Park in Salisbury - lovely sunset walk and a breeding ground for Skylark, also has a bike park.

20. Board walk - river Avon walk from the Riverside Tennis Club to Stratford Sub Castle - we love this one when it’s flooded in winter, the girls cover up in waterproofs and run along the boardwalk in the water. Nice in summer too with a few shallow paddling areas.

21. Longleat - we have an annual pass and found that it’s well worth the money as there is so much to see and do, and various events throughout the year. The keepers are friendly and knowledgeable and always keen to answer questions and talk about the animals.

22. Paultons Park

23. Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm

24. Nicks Farm Bournemouth- we’ve been doing the home ed morning there for a year and my girls love it. They let the kids get properly stuck in and help feed and look after the animals. There is also a handling area where we get to cuddle baby rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks. They have lots going on for visitors too.

25. Fonthill Estate Lake walk - circular walk with woodland trails, countryside views and a waterside section along Fonthill Lake.

26. Old Wardour castle - Nice to explore the castle ruins and have a picnic in the grounds. There is also a 3.7mile circular walk through fields and woodland starting from the castle.

27. Wilton house and the Pembroke Arms for Nole pizza and a game of boules in the garden.

28. Stonehenge

29. Cake at Fisherton Mill - They have the ultimate chocolate tart and carrot cake, and it’s nice to have a browse of the selection of locally made giftware.

30. Hot chocolate, coffee and cake at The Yard - a hidden gem! Equally lovely in summer in the little sunny courtyard, or in winter by the fireplace with Sadie, the resident dog. It’s a family run cafe in a renovated Warehouse with a curated selection of homeware pieces. To me, it’s the best coffee in town!

31. Pastries and hot drinks at Henderson’s Artisan Bakery on Market day - a weekly tradition for us!

32. Heale House Gardens - pretty gardens with different areas to explore and lovely tea rooms.

33. Clarendon Palace ruins - you can do the 4.8 mile circular walk from Pitton village hall, or park along Queen Manor Road and it’s a 1/2h walk from there. There is usually a flock of Alpacas in the ruins enclosure.

34. Mottisfont - National Trust house and gallery set in idyllic riverside gardens.

35. Woodford Valley circular walk from the Wheatsheaf Inn. This is a fun 3 and a bit mile walk that takes you over some river bridges and stiles, woodland, fields, and through little Durnford Manor where you can see Camels (sometimes on the path!) and Alpacas.

36. Moors valley

37. Dinton Park walk

38. Boat hire in Ringwood - Easy to handle little boats that you can drive up and down the Stour river.

39. Stourhead - National Trust beautiful landscape gardens - stunning in autumn

40. Langford Lakes nature reserve - interactive short walk along the lakes with hides to observe the birds from and record your observations.

41. Boston Tea Party - our favourite place for breakfast pancakes! In a grade I listed building dating back to the 1300s.

42. Cockey Down nature reserve - a nice little walk to a small hill with views and a swing - good for sunset picnics

43. Elizabeth gardens - a good paddling spot in summer

44. Salisbury Cathedral and close

45. The Rador Arm in Nunton which has a great outdoorspace overlooking the water meadows, and a playground (and Nunton Farm Dairy vending machine out front for free range milk and a selection of local produce including honey, cheese and eggs)

46. Dorset Heavy horse farm Park - wholesome, fun and educational place, with passionate and enthusiastic staff. Lots to do!

47. Romsey Rapids - I can’t say I revel in the experience but my kids love it!

48. Golden Gecko in Romsey - we haven’t been yet but I've heard good things

49. Odeon Salisbury - tickets are now £5 when booking online

50. Wilton House Garden Centre (and fish) and Porton Garden Centre

50 things to do with kids in Salisbury

My family shoots