Stand inside a giant bubble

Winchester Science Centre is big into bubbles this month. Visitors can play with bubble wands, explore bubbles in nature, take part in bubble parties and bubble storytelling sessions, as well as watch a free live science show featuring - you guessed it - more bubbles. Our favourite part: the opportunity to put yourself inside a giant bubble.

Summer Bubble Fun at Winchester Science Centre. Until 3 September.

Catch a sunset movie screening

Kick back with a blanket in the pretty grounds of Lainston House for a screening of a classic movie as the sun goes down. You can bring your own picnic to enjoy or upgrade your movie ticket to include wood-fired pizza and ice cream too. Catch Pride and Prejudice on Thursday 14 August, Grease on Sunday 17 August, A Star is Born on Friday 22 August, Dirty Dancing on Saturday 23 August or Moulin Rouge on Friday 29 August.

Outdoor Cinema Nights at Lainston House. Various dates until 29 August.

Hang out with Bluey and Bingo

Bluey + Bingo + steam trains = very happy little ones. Catch one of The Watercress Line's lovely steam trains for the opportunity to spot the preschool (and parent) favourites. Board at Alresford or Alton before hopping off at Ropley for a photo op, as well as to take advantage of the station's miniature railway, locomotive playground, colouring, garden games and obstacle course.

Bluey & Bingo Meet and Greet at The Watercress Line, Alresford. 22-24 August.

Channel your inner Austen at a real Regency Ball

As part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, you can dance your way around a Regency ball, for real. The other-worldly evening will see beautifully-dressed attendees enjoy drinks, a 3-course buffet and live Austen-era music. There will also be dance cards and a silhouettist for an authentic Regency feel.

Regency Ball at Winchester's Great Hall. 16 August.

Explore Marwell Zoo after hours

Marwell Zoo currently has some extra residents: over 20 lost species made from toy bricks. At Extinction Lates you can meet the makers behind the brick sculptures, take part in a public build, and enjoy food, drink and more theatrical entertainment, all after the zoo has closed to the public for the day. If you can't make the lates, you can also see the Extinction sculptures during the day as part of standard visits to Marwell.

Extinction Lates at Marwell Zoo. 16 August.

Make mythical crafts at the Cathedral

Children aged 3 to 11 can take part in an hour of storytelling and crafting based on mythical creatures found within Winchester's ancient Cathedral. Learn how to make a pegasus with a 3D wing and a glorious green man from a paper plate in the cathedral’s North Transept.

Summer Family Craft Workshops at Winchester Cathedral. 13 and 28 August.

Catch the South Downs Rambler

Keen to head out of Winchester to explore the South Downs National Park? The South Downs Rambler, a summer special bus which runs on Sundays during the warmer months, is just the ticket. Running between Winchester and Petersfield, the bus takes in some of the loveliest spots in this stretch of the South Downs, from Cheesefoot Head and Old Winchester Hill to Butser Ancient Farm and Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Jump off wherever you fancy for an explore, or to walk back to the city via the South Downs Way, which ends in Winchester.

South Downs Rambler Bus. Sundays until 14 September, as well as bank holiday Monday 25 August.

Pour your own regency candle

Let local luxury candle maker Laura Fisher guide you through a sensory journey of seasonal fragrances before teaching you how to hand-pour your own bespoke candle to take home.

While the candles set, enjoy a well-earned cuppa with a slice of homemade cake within the peaceful, historic setting of Winchester Cathedral's Wessex Learning Centre.

Regency Candlemaking at Winchester Cathedral. 30 August. 

Sample local ales in the sun

Okay, so August bank holiday sunshine isn't exactly guaranteed, but you're bound to have a good time whatever the weather at the annual Flower Pots Beer Festival. The pretty Cheriton pub, which brews its own outstanding pints, will be the setting for more than 20 live music acts, as well as 20 traditional cask ales and over 100 guest ales and lagers from independent UK breweries. Children and dogs are welcome, and the event is free to enter.

The Flower Pots Beer Festival, Cheriton nr Alresford. 22 - 24 August.

Follow Alice Through The Looking Glass

Quantum Theatre are putting on a live production of Lewis Carroll's fantastical tale, following Alice as she enters a peculiar new world through the mirror above her fireplace. The family-friendly show will be staged outside in the pretty grounds of Hinton Ampner. Arrivals from 5:30pm for picnics, with the 90-minute theatrical performance set to start at 6:30pm.

Quantum Theatre presents Alice Through the Looking Glass at Hinton Ampner, nr Alresford. 15 August.

Rave after dark in the park

The Ibiza Orchestra Experience is descending on North Walls in Winchester for a night of classic dance tunes performed by a 26-peice band.

The Ibiza Orchestra Experience at North Walls. 29 August.

Pick your own giant sunflowers

Spend your August bank holiday weekend soaking in the sunny sight of 10-acres full of bobbing yellow sunflowers. At Silkstead Sunflowers just outside Winchester, there will be bubbles, burgers, cream teas, ice cream and more, plus the chance to pick your own sunflowers to take home with you. There's also a sunflower maze and trail to try. Silkstead Sunflowers is also open on selected days during August for the maze, trail and flower picking.

Sunflower Festival 2025 at Silkstead Farm nr Winchester. 24-25 August.

Celebrate sausages and cider

Join Sausage and Cider Festival for a spectacular day of festival fun including 30+ cider flavours and more than 20 sausage flavours. There will also be live music from the likes of Scouting For Girls, activities like axe throwing, and plenty of other options at the bar if cider isn't your thing.

Sausage and Cider Festival at North Walls, Winchester. 30 August.

Have a horrible history lesson

Get those brains back in gear for the start of term with a little Horrible Histories education. This live stage show looks back at the Georgians and the Victorians, focussing on the funny, the weird and the ever-so-slightly gruesome.

Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians at Winchester Royal Theatre. 9 August.

Wander Winchester's hidden waterways

Let one of Winchester's knowledgeable tour guides take you on a 90-minute walking tour of the city, discovering some of the hidden brooks and streams which run through Winchester.

Hidden Waterways of Winchester, starting from the Visitor Information Centre, Winchester. 16 August.