With May half term just around the corner, Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT) has announced all of the events that families can enjoy at its sites, from Viking history in Winchester, gardening in Aldershot, bubble making in Christchurch and everything in between.

Below is a list of events and special offerings by HCT across in Hampshire during half term:

878 AD - Winchester SO23 8QY

  • Ways of the warrior – Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2, 10am-5pm (except Friday, May 31, 10am-1pm)

Join the residents of Winchester as they prepare for the Battle of Edington and experience being part of the Anglo-Saxon army. Take part in a shield wall, learn how to handle a weapon and let out a fierce battle cry.

Included with admission, pre-booking is advised. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.                                                                                                         

Aldershot Military Museum – Aldershot GU11 2LG

Explore the past with kids’ history-based events. From code-breaking to military drills, activities are based on the history of the armed forces based in the local area.             

Included with admission. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.

Included with admission, muddy fingers gardening notebook £1. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.

Held in HCT’s cafe and courtyard space, try your hand at the indoor and outdoor games Miss Daniell would have provided in her Aldershot Soldiers' Home and Institute.

Included with admission. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.                                                

Allen Gallery – Alton GU34 2BW

Celebrate and share your favourite characters from stories and literature. Whether it is a character from your favourite book, myth or legend - or even local folklore - the festival team wants to see your creations in 2D or 3D on display across Alton.

Tickets are available through Alton Arts Festival, pre-booking is required. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.           

An opportunity to explore the nightlife of the Allen Gallery’s garden and learn how light traps are used to study moths. Led by moth expert Chris Piper.                 

Free, drop-in. Suitable for adults and children aged 8+.                                                                                                                          

Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age – Andover SP10 1DP

HCT’s Iron Age mascot, Cedric, is off to Kent to try and stop the Romans from invading. He needs some items to help him with his quest that can be found all over the Museum of the Iron Age and families are tasked with helping to find them.         

Included with admission to the Museum of the Iron Age. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.

HCT’s regular make-and-take craft activity. This half term, the group will be making collage photo frames.

£3 per child. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.

HCT will be launching its new regular Iron Age children's history event this May half term. On 30 May, there will be a workshop making replica Iron Age coins.

Included with admission to the Museum of the Iron Age. Suggested donation of £1.                                                                                                                                                                                

Forest Arts Centre – New Milton BH25 6DS

The Enchanted Cinema is back in the New Forest following last year’s sell-out tours of The Snowman and My Neighbour Totoro. Join 2024’s #orchestraofwater with multi-instrumentalist composers, Gareth and Kieron – The Enchanted Cinema.          

Tickets: adults £10, children (under 16) £5, pre-booking required. Suitable for ages 6+, children must be accompanied.                                                                                                  

Milestones Museum – Basingstoke RG22 6PG

Join HCT for an eventful 1940s week as it examines Hampshire's involvement in the Second World War and specifically the county's contribution to the efforts of D-Day. Demonstrations are running throughout the day from Make Do and Mend, Ministry of Food and ARP to model war reenactments. A day out for all with an Evacuee Trail running for children.              

Included with admission, pre-booking is advised. £3 for the children's trail. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.      

Red House Museum and Gardens – Christchurch BH23 1BU

A magical world of bubbles awaits in this interactive class for families. Attendees will learn bubble tricks, play games and get the opportunity to stand inside a giant bubble.

£9 per child, £4.50 per adult. Suitable for children aged 3+.

Rockbourne Roman Villa – Fordingbridge SP6 3PG

Come face to face with a Roman Soldier and unlock the secrets of Rockbourne Roman Villa. John Smith is a costumed interpreter with over 40 years of experience as an archaeologist and curator and will be here throughout the day in full military costume chatting about all aspects of Roman life; both military and domestic.

Free, donations are welcome. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.                                                                                                           

West End Centre – Aldershot GU11 3JD

Come and experience this natural resource and learn pottery. Participants will use two types of clay to make sculptural creations to be fired. This workshop is designed for children who can sit with either a parent/guardian or alone and can listen to short instructions. Although clay is a natural material, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to monitor the child’s use.        

£13, pre-booking required. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.                             

A thrilling crafting activity for kids during the May half-term holiday. Create some dinosaur-inspired art in this fun art activity.         

£14 pre-booking required. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.

Calling all children who love tactile and manipulation materials. Come and experience this natural resource and learn pottery. Participants will use two types of clay to make sculptural creations to be fired.  

£14, pre-booking required. Suitable for ages 8+.

Hands-on art for all of the family. Enjoy using a range of materials, make something special in just 45 minutes and take it home for everyone to enjoy.  

£3. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.                                                                                     

The Arc – Winchester SO23 8SB

Get inspired by the artist Grayson Perry and his ceramic creations. HCT's Arc instructors will guide participants through moulding and shaping their clay pots using air-drying clay.

£22, pre-booking required. Suitable for ages 9+.

This workshop transforms the traditional volcano science experiment into a lively art project. Whilst retaining the excitement of the fizzy chemical reaction, the finished piece is a unique work of art. HCT's instructors will show the children how to create their fizzy painting step by step, offering tips and tricks to help them bring their vision to life.

£8, pre-booking required. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.

Learn the art of lino printing, a technique that enables one to carve designs onto linoleum blocks. Participants will be guided through creating their own unique design that reflects their personality and style.

£22, pre-booking required. Suitable for ages 9+.

With no needles required, children will learn the basic techniques of finger knitting, from casting on to creating beautiful stitches and binding off. HCT instructors will provide step-by-step guidance and plenty of encouragement along the way.

£10, pre-booking required. Suitable for ages 6+, children must be accompanied.