Don't give in to the weather this winter, Hampshire is teeming with brilliant days out for the whole family. Pack up your wet-wipes, snacks and a taste for adventure, here's a scoop on some of the best.

A great way to let off steam!
Remember the magic of taking a train ride when you were a child? Despite modern trains being more reliable (but very dull), should you choo choo-se it, the Watercress Line still harnesses the wonderful old traditions and style of steam travel.
The Mid Hants Railway is affectionately known as the Watercress Line and runs for 10 miles between Alton and Alresford.
It’s a brilliantly traditional step back to a more relaxed era, when the pace of life was governed by the clickety-clack of the steam engine. The trains and carriages still carry the traditional décor from trains from the 1940’s-70’s and carefully poking your head out of the sliding windows brings back great memories, as you watch the engine wind its way along the track.
Anoraked enthusiasts shuffle to and fro, getting the best position to get a photo or glimpse of these historic chuffers whilst children stand gawping as the giant engines puff away and the sound of the engines and whistles are deafening as they pull into the stations.
The army of passionate enthusiasts and volunteers have ensured that the four stations along the line all look spotless. You can board and disembark the train whenever you like and there are some brilliant spots along the way to stop for a picnic or grab a coffee from one of the buffets (some of which have Wi-Fi). On board there is an old buffet car serving light refreshments and for the more discerning traveller a Real Ale carriage, serving local beer at 1980’s prices!
One lasting memory is the fantastic smell and feel of the steam as it comes pouring out of the engine. It has a startling familiar whiff, although most of us have hardly travelled by steam before.
The staff are fantastic and enhance the enjoyment with titbits of information about the train and service. On our visit, a Ticket Inspector put on a solo performance on the accordion which saw a gaggle of children break into a spontaneous dance routine!
The team behind the Watercress Line have struck a good balance between nostalgia and contemporary and also offer special events throughout the year. Thomas the Tank Engine weekends and Santa Specials through December are very popular and maybe offer a little more to an easily distracted travelling toddler.
The facilities, whilst classically dated, are all in good order. Baby changing facilities, ample parking and a gift shop all add to the experience. They even welcome dogs aboard the Watercress Line - £1 for a Rover ticket!
Price: Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) - £35 Adults - £14, Children (2-16) - £7, Children under 2 - Free
Parking - pay by the hour
Tel: 01962 733810
www.watercressline.co.uk

Alice's Wonderland...Right on your doorstep
From getting mud splattered in your face to enjoying the peaceful serenity of a picnic in a country park, Alice Holt has something for everybody. It’s a fun day out for the whole family that won’t break the bank.
Four miles south of Farnham, once famous for supplying timber to the Navy, Alice Holt is now part of the South Downs National Park and offers activities for everyone from the adrenalin junkie to the cake quaffing onlooker. On a fresh winter’s day, it’s an excellent place to let the kids run around, whilst you walk off that giant Sunday roast!
There are lots of well marked and interesting walking trails that cope well during the heavier winter months – activities and giant play sculptures along the route help to captivate wandering little minds. There is also mountain bike hire and family trails for those requiring a more energetic visit.
In the summer, the waft of barbequed sausages and burgers fills the air. In the winter, the café serves a freshly prepared mix of piping hot soups and sandwiches/baguettes and a tantalising array of cakes. All at prices you’d expect to pay at a country park
(approximately £3 for a sandwich).
The park offers a stack of extra activities for youngsters throughout the year including building dens, woodcraft, pond dipping and the Christmas Craft sessions are very popular. Details of courses are available through their website.
Combining nature with technology, the Forestry Commission has just launched a brilliant smart phone app too – you can download trail maps before you travel and use the natty ‘Tree Identifier’. It’s downloadable through your app store.
The beauty of Alice Holt is that you can do as little or as much as you want to do/can afford. By taking your own picnic and bikes, you can have a cracking family day out for the coins down the back of your sofa.
Entry Cost: Free
Bike Hire: By the hour through Quench Cycles
Parking: By the hour
www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt

It's a good time for... Monkeying around
If climbing, sliding, jumping and screaming is something your children (and you) enjoy, you’ll love Go Ape Explorer. Challenging the body and mind, the adventure course in the tree tops is breathtaking and mind-blowing at the same time.
Go Ape is the UK’s favourite tree-top adventure. Taking on rope ladders, high level walk-ways, swings and zip wires, it’s a brilliant way of getting up and taking on nature. But, the good people of Go Ape have gone one better in the beautiful Moors Valley Country Park, by launching the brand new Go-Ape Explorer for little primates aged four and over.
It’s a simplified, but just as challenging version of the adult course. Safety briefings at the start are well versed, but very simple for even the youngest Spider Monkey to understand. Equipment is expertly fitted and adjusted and before you know it, you’re starting your ascent into the canopy.
Unlike the adult version, where there are rules around clipping and unclipping the harness, the junior course is foolproof. Once your harness is attached, you’re up and away, even a chimp or baboon with a fear of heights can’t be anything but impressed by the simplicity of the course.
Step gingerly across a high wire 20ft above the ground, then move from rope to rope taking on the swinging steps and finish off the whole course with a high-speed whiz along the zip wire until your feet are re-united with terra firma.
The whole adventure takes an hour, which is just the right amount of time before a little monkey’s brain is distracted by the thought of snacks and treats.
Go Ape itself doesn’t offer anything in the way of toilet facilities or cafés, but a 30 second meander through the woods brings you to an all encompassing restaurant facility. The children’s playground is brilliant too!
The Go Ape website is very smart. You can book your trip online and timely reminders and advice are sent out to prepare you for your quest.
Why let your children climb the walls this winter, when they could be putting that energy to good use?
Go Ape Explorer could save your wallpaper and your sanity!
Price: £15 per person Ages 4 - 104 (1m and over) – Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult
Parking - by the hour (not cheap)
www.goape.co.uk/explorer