Where to Go in Berkshire, South East: Top 13 Attractions & Local Favorites

William Freer Lockey Farm is an absolute gem and a true lifesaver for families looking for a wonderful day out. In todays climate, finding such a fantastic place that is completely free to enter is almost unheard of, and we are so grateful for it. While entry is free, there is a small donation booth should you wish to contribute, which is a lovely touch. ​There is so much here to keep the little ones entertained for hours. Our children loved the huge sandpit, the brilliant play area with a zip wire and climbing frame,, the little ride on tractors and inflatable bouncers. It was also wonderful to see all the happy animals, including the friendly goats, pigs, donkeys, and geese. The fact that all of this is available at no cost is just incredible, especially when many families might not be able to afford expensive entry fees elsewhere. ​You can easily make a full day of it by bringing your own picnic, or you can use the lovely on site cafe which serves a fantastic full English breakfast and delicious looking pizzas fresh from a stonefire oven. ​You simply cant give this place anything less than five stars. Its a huge recommendation for anyone wanting a fun, affordable, and wholesome family day out. We will definitely be back!

Red Clay Media Agency The castle is beautiful but so is the short walk along thd towpath go get there. Its literally a circular structure, so wont take long to look around but Odiham is so cute and youre surround by beautiful countryside. Id recommend the 5 minute walk to look at the 2 fords.

Paul Allen We had such a lovely morning here! Very easy to find and free parking. Donation/£1 programme entry. The enthusiasts are so happy to talk about their creations and for you to get up close and even sit on them! The miniature railway is brilliant and a really lovely feature.

Chris Large open grass area with deciduous woodland. Parking and play areas for children. Great for walking, flying kites, picnics and outdoor games. Only downside is the absence of toilets.

Cassandra Morgan My children were bought vouchers for Ifly Basingstoke as a Christmas gift. It was the most amazing experience for them. My husband and I also bought tickets, but we did this directly through Ifly, which is more expensive. I would recommend if you’re buying flights that you do it through a voucher rather than directly with the fly Centre. A top tip is that you can also upgrade your experience while you’re there i.e. Add on an extra flight or add-on the high flies, photos and videos. We did get photos and videos through the package that we had bought however these were a little blurry (Maybe their lens needs a little polish) so if you have someone go with you, they would be able to take just as nice a photo. We had such an amazing experience!! My daughter was incredibly nervous about the situation and our instructor put her at ease. He made necessary adjustments to her kit and her flight to ensure she had the best experience possible. Our instructor, Liam was professional and fun and made sure we had the best fly whilst learning techniques at the same time. I would definitely recommend this experience and this fly centre. Definitely recommend Liam if you have a nervous flier!

Lauren S Our visit to the Basingstoke Museum with a group of elderly adults living with dementia was truly a fantastic experience. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed into a journey through time that was both engaging and wonderfully nostalgic. The group absolutely loved playing the seaside arcade games from the 1940s and 50s, which sparked so many smiles and memories. Walking through the different scenes of historic jobs, wartime bunkers, and displays of cars, trucks, and fire engines kept everyone interested and talking. The sweet shop was a real highlight — purchasing a £2 ration card and exchanging it for 200g of sweets felt authentic and fun for everyone. Visiting the pub and even being able to enjoy a drink added another lovely, realistic touch to the experience. There is genuinely so much to see and do, making it perfect for families as well. The added bonus of McDonald’s and KFC just outside when driving out is ideal if you’re visiting with children. The only small downfall was that the toilets are located on just one side of the venue. For wheelchair users and members with walking frames, the cobbled ground made getting across quite challenging, and toilet trips became a bit of a workout — which did take some time away from enjoying the exhibits (though we had a good laugh about it!). That said, the staff more than made up for it. Rosie at the front desk was absolutely amazing, and the gentleman who ran the pub was just as friendly, welcoming, and engaging. Their warmth truly enhanced the whole visit. Even helping when asked to borrow a wheelchair for amber who was struggling she was more than happy to help thank you to her hospitality Overall, this was a heart-warming, inclusive, and memorable experience that we would highly recommend — especially for groups, families, and anyone wanting to step back in time and enjoy something truly special.

Lisa Farrant Really nice park. Plenty for small children to do and older children. Great playground Nice area for a picnic. There are benches to sit on. And also dog friendly. Took my dog there to meet a friend. My dog loved it. Would benefit from having toilet facilities and a burger van /refreshments. It is a nice park you could easily spend the whole day there.

Robin Nicholas Inspired exhibition of women’s roles during the time of Jane Austin cleverly using quotes from her books. Fascinating time line of Basingstoke decline as an historic town ironically held in one of the nicest buildings in the town. Would be nice see some more and perhaps better paintings of Hampshire in the gallery. Lovely cafe and shop with fascinating books and items. Don’t forget to donate as this marvellous place is free.

Lucas Kotas Love it , we arrived after dark so it was tricky , signs are really small , but weve managed . Outdoor shower , with hot water -nice. One portable toilet , really clean and tidy -nice. Fire pits -nice. No signal -very nice . Really good place to reset from day to day live . Will come back again :)

Ads Anderson Its a great place to walk, obviously can be muddy sometimes. In summer, there are horses grazing on there, which is lovely. One word of warning, there are rabbits around, so make sure you watch your step, as there are plenty of holes in the ground.

Tracey Flood Langley Mead at Sheinfeld is a real hidden gem and one of my favourite places to unwind. The open fields, wildflower meadows, and surrounding countryside create the perfect setting for a peaceful walk or just sitting quietly with a good book, soaking in the views. It’s a haven for wildlife lovers—especially those who enjoy birdwatching. I’ve spotted so many different species here using my bird ID app, which has made each visit even more enjoyable. It’s also a very popular spot for dog walkers. I don’t have a dog myself, but it’s always lovely to see them having such a great time, exploring all the scents and making new friends. Langley Mead offers that perfect mix of calm, natural beauty and quiet companionship with nature. Highly recommended for anyone needing a bit of fresh air and tranquility.

James Franklyn I found The War Memorial Park while looking for a classic day out in Basingstoke, and it’s easily the "grand old lady" of the town’s parks. It has a very stately, traditional feel with its huge open avenues and formal gardens—when I visited, it was busy but never felt crowded because the scale of the place is just massive. I spent a good two hours here. The Peace Garden is a beautiful, quiet spot for a bit of reflection, but the highlight for me was the Tree Trail, where you can see some really impressive, mature cedars and oaks. There’s a bit of everything here: a huge play area for kids, an aviary with some colourful birds, and plenty of space for a proper long-distance walk. The paths are all wide and well-paved, so you wont need your wellies unless you decide to cut across the big open fields where the local football teams play.

Tymmoteusz Spend a night there once. Missed a train. The amount of time it took me to decide to sleep here was embarrassingly short. It was scary and freezing, but roomy. Small leaves but I didnt paid much attenction to them.... Sitting there cross legged, t-shirt and jeans on, scared of hoodlums, thinking if the bench is warmer. Some of them came close, heard them say "You know what? We havent done in a while. We havent beaten someone up in a while." I have to put a red dress on, its getting cold. Its a wardrobe for the cast of short film We are making. Lets put the bag over my head so hoodlums think I am a corpse.... Its lucky this didnt happen to Melvin. He would be sitting on a bench wearing a dress and nothing else. Its true.