Manor Farm, Southampton.

Looking for a day out close to Southampton with the kids?

Want space to let the kids roam, see some animals and enjoy being out in the fresh air?

We would really recommend Manor Farm inside River Hamble Country Park in Hampshire, between Portsmouth and Southampton. We decided after a busy morning, dragging the kids around our wonderful holiday lets to do some essential checks and sorting (we may love our holiday homes, but it sure is boring for them), we decided to take the kids for some fun. And, us secretly too!

We drove up into the park where Manor Farm was located, the sun was shining and it felt very peaceful and quiet. Our entry was seamless, other than trying to prise the kids away from the gift shop too early, and we meandered into the farm itself. We were met with the goats initially, then the horses, followed by getting to see the baby sheep be fed, and even get to pet them too. We were given lots of information about the family of sheep here, and when they were born. The staff on the farm showed their love and attention to the animals, and really cared for them, which showed in the way they talked and handled the flock. It really felt like a family-run atmosphere, despite the small crowd that had gathered.

We popped over now to the pigs, watching them squelching and squashing each other in the mud. Then we viewed the turkeys and other birds kept at the farm, including the beautiful golden pheasant who was a joy to watch with her beautiful shining plumage.

The kids needed a snack and a change of scene so we took them over to the play barn, where we had a snack and they played for ages, with all the other children there on the amazing brand new climbing apparatus, slides, and play equipment available, all with a farm theme. There were spaces both for our just-walking toddler to plod around and play, as well as for our adventurous eight-year-old. A very versatile, clean, and welcoming play space. The outdoor play area included various large toy tractors and diggers that the children could climb on and in, and role-play being the farmer, looking after the animals and the land.

It was getting on in the afternoon and the children had really worn themselves out. We took a turn around checking out the other animals, including the cows and the display on how milking is done, as well as the smaller creatures such as the guinea pigs and rabbits. Lastly, we had a peek into the wartime cottage and farmhouse and discussed how the farm would have been run, and how the people would have lived, in war times, surviving on rations and limited provisions.

On our way out, we purchased some fresh farm sausages from a fridge at the entrance, ready to take home and cook for tea!

A lovely day out for families in Hampshire. Friendly, homely, modern, and well-cared for farm! 5 stars! Well worth a visit.