Somewhere to take kids, with food for grownups, near Winchester between Christmas and new year

[PumpkinSoup21]

Hello

I’d be very grateful for any suggestions of places near Winchester where kids and adults can have food and a reasonable time together between Christmas and new year.

I’m trying to organise a meet up between family members who are all travelling to and from different places but will coincide in that general area. I’m not from there so don’t know what’s good.

I’m thinking a farm shop with a playground that does a nice brunch - that sort of thing. Get together for a couple of hours, have something to eat, swap gifts, kids get a run around.

I’ve had a good google but some places look too kid focused for elderly relatives and some places look like they’d be deathly boring for the four small children (all under 6) that we will have with us.

Any thoughts? Thank you!

https://the.littlepubgroup.co.uk/the-plough-inn

https://www.cobbsfarmshops.co.uk/contact-us#cobbswinchester

Both nice

https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens

https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens

Yes I second Hilliers.

Winchester Science centre?

national trust is also a good option. Motisfont?
If you actually want Winchester city there are playgrounds by the king Arthur statue and loads of restaurants and pubs. But it is very very busy at the moment with the Christmas market. So depends when you were planning a meet up ? between Christmas and new year will be nicer and much easier to park.

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

Marwell Zoo

Slightly further south -
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Staunton Farm
Stansted House

Brilliant place

For this sort of thing we usually do Mottisfont (National Trust) and either breakfast or lunch at Kimbridge Barn (short drive away - 2 mins) which does really lovely food. Worth booking a table. Mottisfont at Christmas is lovely for kids.

We find bobs farm shop the service is incredibly slow

Sorry - typo. Cobs farm shop. Been there a few times and the kids have got fractious waiting.

I second Hilliard or Mottisfont. Both have cafes where elderly relatives can sit and chat as well as big open spaces for kids to run around.

How about Itchen Valley country park then 5 mins along the road to the Garden society in Allington Lane for brunch? The food isn't Uber fancy but it's really good.

There's not anything for kids to do at Cobb's in winter?

Arlebury cafe (role play and soft play). Starting to be a little young for the six year old but if they're the oldest I reckon will get stuck in with the others. Great food. It's very low key and small so not a traditional soft play.

I wanna be role play in Romsey if it's open -gets booked up in advance and not great food options but ok toasties etc.

Qube soft play in Stanmore, again if open. Another small low key one (slightly less low key than arlebury but never gets that crazy madness). Nice food, just long waits for it but fine if you're not in a rush.

Agree with Mottisfont, although only one cafe is open this time of year and there's nothing child friendly near it so unless you want to eat takeout on a picnic bench in the cold, not ideal if you want leisurely eating.

Hillier's has better placement of cafes opening onto bits for running round.

Marwell is brilliant.

Avoid Bella Crafts, hugely over priced, tiny portions and you're only allowed an hour in the role play/soft play which would have a top age of 4 I reckon.

Oh Lakeside in Eastleigh if not too far out? Has a lovely lake and also a stream train that takes you out to a playground. Their cafe is decent.

Portsmouth is very far south of Winchester!

Also agree Hilliers but you need decent weather. Also as we have found many times to our cost it is closed Boxing Day!

Oh yes, also be mindful that both Hillier's and Mottisfont have playgrounds that are complete mudbaths and lakes this time of year, kids will need VERY thorough water and mud proofing clothes!

What have you decided OP?

Old thread but had googled ideal places to eat with kids that have play areas near Winchester. Thankful to live near petersfield as we’re spoilt for choice in comparison!

Where's good in Petersfield then?

Plenty of places in Winchester, difficulty was places in winter as a lot of places with food and somewhere to play are outdoors.