Family friendly, accessible days out to enjoy over Christmas and New Year

There is a winter wonderland of places in our area where everyone can take a stroll together, enjoying some of our area’s most beautiful parks, ponds, woodlands and coastline.

Here are some of Brendoncare’s suggestions for places to visit over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Royal Victoria Country Park is one of Brendoncare’s great favourites. Below are our Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill residents enjoying the views on their visit there earlier this year. Much of its appeal is its fantastic location at Netley overlooking the bustling Southampton Water, always buzzing with both leisure craft and commercial shipping. The park is open throughout Christmas.

Lepe Country Park close to Exbury and Beaulieu overlooks the Solent. It commands spectacular views across to the Isle of Wight. Enjoy a walk along the shingle beach to see the built remains of D-Day activities where thousands of soldiers and sailors set off across the English Channel in 1944.

Hengistbury Head is one of Dorset’s most popular coastal attractions. With numerous walks around its headland, it’s a great place to blow away the Christmas cobwebs.

Moors Country Park near Ringwood comprises 1000 acres of woodlands, meadows and lakes with wheelchair accessible paths throughout. 

Frensham Ponds are just outside Farnham in Surrey. They were originally created in the 13th century to supply fish to the Bishop of Winchester and his court while they were visiting the town’s castle. The little and great ponds are havens for wildlife. Refreshments and wheelchair accessible facilities are available at both ponds. 

Itchen Valley Country Park is another favourite place our residents love to visit. Those are our residents and colleagues from Brendoncare Knightwood in the photograph above. Located just outside Southampton, the park comprises lovely meadows, water meadows and woodland. Fully wheelchair accessible, the park will be open on both Christmas and Boxing Day though its buildings such as the café will be closed. 

Old Portsmouth is a fascinating step back in history. There are plenty of places to explore such as the Hot Walls, the Round and Square Towers. You can follow in Lord Nelson’s footsteps and see his statue in Grand Parade. 

Fleet Pond is one of Hampshire’s best kept secrets even though it is the county’s largest freshwater lake. It is set in 141 acres and has a variety of natural habitats. There is free parking, and it is fully wheelchair accessible. 

Itchenor is one of the beautiful villages overlooking Chichester Harbour. There is a wheelchair friendly walking route which includes a viewpoint across the Harbour to Bosham Channel. 

Petersfield Heath and Pond, close to the town centre, is a great place to go for a walk along its paths and boardwalks, or venture into the acres of heathland around it. There’s a play area for children and plenty of free parking nearby.

Please check the opening dates and times of all these places before your visit.

But above all, have a lovely time!