Bounding across the region for 10 weeks this summer, Winchester and Southampton will be brought to life with a drove of Hares and their young Leverets sculptures, creating a free, fun, family-friendly trail of discovery for everyone to enjoy whilst exploring our great cities.
Each sculpture will be sponsored by a business and individually designed by an artist – either well-known or just starting out, from Hampshire or further afield.
Performer at Hat Fair 2021
Friday & Saturday
Sunday Funday!
Sunday acts will not pass the hat around after their performances – instead they will be paid a fee from the ticket money raised.
illustration of a Barn Owl
This exhibition takes you on a journey of discovery to meet iconic farmland species, here in the South Downs. It is a collaboration between natural history illustrator, Rachel Hudson and the Selborne Landscape Partnership in Hampshire. It is an exhibition that champions species we are in danger of losing and how the restoration of field margins, from hedgerows to wildflower strips, is making a positive difference.
Photo of performer sat on floor playing an accordion
Storyteller Soph has travelled all over the world collecting and sharing exciting stories. But lately, she’s been spending more and more time at home. Luckily, Soph has discovered a fantastic book of Fables to help us understand the world around us. Even better, she doesn’t need to go anywhere to share these tales. Using everything except the kitchen sink, Soph brings these stories to life right from her kitchen table.
From Aesop the friendly Lion, Harriet the boastful Hare and Tim the chilled-out Tortoise, all your favourite animal characters are brought to life in this collection of live stories. After a series of life lessons and an awful lot of fun, Soph realises that all you need to share a good story is something to say and someone to listen. (And, of course, a little bit of imagination.)
For ages 3-8.
Credit Jane Austen’s House
Jane Austen’s House
Visit Jane Austen’s House in the Hampshire village of Chawton and discover the world’s best-loved novelist. It was in this picturesque cottage that Jane Austen’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised, and published all six of her treasured novels, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice.
Today visitors can step back in time to 1816 and follow in Jane’s footsteps, exploring the home and garden that Jane knew and loved, uncovering the story of her life and times, and getting up close to objects from the museum’s unparalleled Austen collection, including Jane’s letters, jewellery and the little table at which she wrote her much loved novels.
Chawton House
Photo of Chawton House
Discover the ‘Great House’ enjoyed by Jane Austen, the quintessentially English manor house and gardens with a fascinating history.
Chawton House, a registered charity conserves a unique collection of early women’s writing within the Elizabethan manor house once owned by Jane Austen’s brother Edward. Visitors can enjoy the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, relax in the peace and tranquillity of the gardens, and find inspiration in the lives and works of its women writers.
The 400-year-old house is a fascinating blend of architectural styles and features. Visitors can sit at the table at which Jane Austen dined with her family, and enjoy a stroll in the Walled Garden built by her brother Edward. The Library itself is a treasure trove of fascinating works by women and many of these are on display throughout the house, along with portraits and paintings inspired by the writers.
Visitors can enjoy lunch and afternoon tea in the Old Kitchen Tearoom and browse a range of gifts related to Austen, the House and Gardens in the Gift Shop.
There is a rolling programme of exhibitions, which are included in the price of admission, along with a variety of events from evening talks and conferences to children’s workshops and garden tours.
