What’s On in May

Warmer weather is now upon us and with it some new events and things to do in the area. There’s plenty to choose from whether you enjoy the great outdoors, crafts, food or something for the whole family.  

Below is a pick of what’s on whether you’re coming for a mid-week break or for a weekend getaway.

Lights, Camera, Science! Winchester Science Centre
Enjoy some of the science centre’s best show themes and demos from the past 20 years including how light has been used in cinema, famous moments from cinema, and how CGI is used in film. A fab exhibition for the whole family! 14th May to 3rd July. Find out more…

Day out with Thomas, The Watercress Line
Join Thomas & Friends for a day of family fun at The Watercress Line. Take a train ride with Thomas, meet some of the characters and join Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of excitement! 28th May to 5th June. Find out more…

Thomas the Tank Engine at the Watercress Line
Thomas the Tank Engine at the Watercress Line

Vintage Vehicles, The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line will be displaying classic cars, motor cycles, tractors and commercial vehicles as well as full size and miniature traction engines and steam lorries. 20th to 22nd May. Find out more…

Alton Walking Festival
Alton Walking Festival is perfect for enthusiastic walkers, relaxed wanderers, and curious explorers of all ages. The festival is the ideal opportunity for the local community and visitors from further afield to meet likeminded people, explore the town and its surrounding villages and discover the superb Hampshire countryside with its wildlife and rich cultural heritage. 1st to 31st May. Find out more…

The country lanes near Wallops Wood are fantastic for running & cycling
Enjoy walking through the beautiful Hampshire countryside

Explore Making Contemporary Craft, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens nr Romsey 
Explore Making examines the creative and practical processes involved in transforming wood, clay, metal, textile, glass and stone. All art is for sale. 5th to 23rd May. Find out more…

Vineyard Tours at The Grange, Itchen Stoke nr Alresford
The Grange are offering two tours to choose from:
The first tour starts at 11am, finishing about 12.30pm, starting with a 45-minute wander round the vineyard where the grapes are grown, followed by a  tasting of the wines on current release. Places available on 7th and 23rd May.

The second tour takes place in the evening (either at 5 or 6pm depending on the time of the year and ending around 2 hours later) with a wander round the vineyard followed by a relaxed, sunset tasting of their current wines. Places available on 12th May. More dates available throughout the year. Find out more…

Gilbert White's House in Selborne
Gilbert White’s House in Selborne

Nature Day, Gilbert White’s House, Selborne
Nature Day aims to help people reconnect with the natural world, bringing them closer to our native plants and wildlife through both art and science. There will also be an eco-fair where you can purchase sustainable products and crafts for your home. This year’s theme is a Beatrix Potter treasure hunt trail, guided by characters from her books! 15th May 2022. Find out more…

Alresford Watercress Festival
The Watercress Festival will return to the streets of Alresford on Sunday 15th May 2022 with a festival fit for the Queen! With street traders, shopping and a Watercress Eating Challenge, it’ll be a fun day for the whole family. Find out more…

Portsmouth Chilli & Gin Festival
Enjoy the UK’s first even gin and chilli festival at Fort Purbrook on 21st & 22nd May 2022. With music, food stalls and plenty of opportunities for gin tasting! Find out more…

The Art of the Book Jacket, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Discover some of the rarest and most valuable books illustrated by artists. The library at Pallant House Gallery has around 19,000 books that have been vital in providing research for their art collection and exhibitions.
Undercover: The Art of the Book Jacket is a wonderful opportunity to see a number of these beautiful books, some of which are too precious or fragile to be on the open shelves. The exhibition will focus on a number of 20th century titles and the artists who contributed illustrations, frontispieces, and book covers to these publications. Until 17th July. Find out more…

Port Solent Waterside Market
Head to Port Solent on 8th May (and the 2nd Sunday of each month) for an enjoyable saunter through stalls of beautiful home furnishings, stylish gifts, homemade crafts, stunning jewellery, delicious cakes and other yummy treats. Find out more…

Soap at a craft market
Soap at a craft market

Hotwalls Creative Market, Old Portsmouth
Hotwalls Studios is hosting its special creative market on 14th & 15th May. With lots of talented makers and artists coming together, the market provides visitors with the opportunity to browse and buy handcrafted pieces from a huge variety of vendors. The Hotwalls artists will also throw open the doors to their studios, so you can find out first hand about their processes and buy or commission unique and fantastic pieces directly. Find out more…

Kitchen Garden Tour at Lainston House nr Winchester
Lainston House garden gate is open to find out all there is to know about the incredible fresh produce used in the kitchens. The tour with Stefanie, the kitchen gardener at Lainston House, will share her extensive knowledge of the month to month planting to make sure the kitchens and cookery school are using the very freshest of fruit, vegetables and herbs from plot to plate. Dates until 22 June. Find out more…

Vegetables growing at a kitchen garden
Vegetables growing at a kitchen garden

The Borrowers Return to Chawton House, nr Alton
Enter the world of Mary Norton’s much-loved children’s book The Borrowers as Chawton House celebrates the seventieth anniversary of its publication. Dating back to the sixteenth century, Chawton House may be the ideal home for a family of Borrowers (if they exist of course!). Explore the House and see whether you can spot any signs that there may be tiny people living beneath the floorboards and behind the furniture. Until 19th June 2022. Find out more…

Images:
Kitchen garden photo by Kenan Kitchen on Unsplash
Soaps photo by Kristina Balić on Unsplash