Things to do around Southampton for 5yr old and 2 yr old

[Rose50]

Hello, we are going to a wedding at the end of the month and staying overnight near Southampton. We'd like to make the most of the weekend and do something on the Sunday with our 2 dds aged 5 and 2.

Can anyone recommend something to visit in that area? I'm hoping that if the weather is good we can go to West Wittering beach as I've heard it's lovely, but would also really appreciate some suggestions for what we can do if the weather isn't so nice.

We will be driving back to south east London late afternoon/evening so would rather not travel too far away from the M3!.
Thank you

West Wittering beach is a LONG trek from southampton (probably near enough an hours car drive, and a long way away from the m3)

how about paultons park (peppa pig world)
moores valley country park?
Manor Farm?

Head into the New Forest for a walk or maybe to Bolderwood to see the deer.

Near Ashurst there is the Otter and Owl Centre. My two dcs have always loved going there and it takes a couple of hours to walk around. It is under lots of trees so not too bad if the weather is bad - as long as you have wellies and coats!

Beaulieu Motor Museum has a few things for littlest although I haven't been there for a while.

Beaches wise, there are lots that would be closer than Wittering - Lepe, Keyhaven, Milford on Sea.

You could even pop over to the Isle of Wight for the day on the ferry from Southampton!

I'd recommend Eastleigh Lakeside at J5 - pretty nature reserve with a ride-on train, playground and cafe. If weather awful Eastleigh town centre has a shopping centre, cinema and softplay all in one building.

WWittering definitely worth another weekend trip, there are campsites down there too.

The Witterings are near Chichester, a good hour away from Southampton.

Marwell Zoo is lovely, Paulton's Park is brilliant, but both can be a bit pricey if you're on a tight budget. If you decide on either of these, book online first as you can save on the ticket price.

The New Forest is lovely, lots to see and do which can all be free if you plan well. And some lovely, lovely little pubs which do great lunches :)

Furzey Gardens is lovely.

Bring wellies and go for a romp in the Forest.

The M27 turns into the A31, head along that to Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile centre near Ringwood. Proper lovely family place to visit, reasonably priced, make sure you don't miss the displays!

Lepe beach is the closest nice beach. Catch the ferry over to Hythe to make it more of an adventure.

Keyhaven and Milford are down near me, and I'm a good half hour across country from central Southampton. Moors Valley is great, located the other side of Ringwood but more of a direct route (a31 and m27 again)

Paultons and Marwell on the motorway so very easy access.

Further up the m3, Basingstoke has a leisure complex with a science museum, aqua park, cinema and ice skating - all suitable for 5 and 2yos :)