VISIT: Tapestries at The Vyne, on display now, Sherbourne St. John, near Basingstoke

Tapestries at The Vyne National Trust — Pic: ©National Trust images – James Dobson.

A cash strapped former owner of The Vyne, Wiggett Chute, cut up these beautiful inherited decorative orient-inspired tapestries so he could line the walls of his man cave, err, I mean billiard room. He used them to soundproof it as he attempted to escape his eleven kids (OK, slightly more sympathetic now…). 300 years-on since they were made, they’ve had a painstaking eight-year restoration and are back on display at The Vyne.

KIDS: Brickosaurs! Evolution at Marwell Zoo, Thurs 31 March – Sun 4 Sept, Winchester, Hampshire

Brickosaurs Evolution Marwell Zoo Hampshire What's On April 2022 — Pic: Marwell Zoo

They’re back – and more fearsome than ever… Continuing a tradition of larger-than-life creatures made from colourful bricks, Brickosaurs Evolution is the hotly anticipated new LegoLand-style pop-up at Marwell Zoo. 50 Brickosaurs feature, made from a whopping two million-plus bricks. Spy on the 1,200+ real-life animals while you’re at it, including giraffes, snow leopards and Pygmy hippopotamus.

ART: Equinox – A Celebration of Spring at Palais de Vaches, Sat 2 – Sun 3 April / Sat 9 – Sun 10 April & Sat 23 – Sun 24 April, Exbury

Nick and Caroline de Rothschild Palais de Vaches

Fancy a culture fix? Putting the art into party at their wonderfully eccentric former milking parlour turned gallery and event space, Palais de Vaches, Nick and Caroline de Rothschild have teamed up with Stewart Mechem and Lady Bev Shadbolt of Lymington’s Coastal Gallery. Their new joint exhibition ‘Equinox – A Celebration of Spring’ celebrates artists, ceramicists and sculptors from Hampshire and beyond.

FASHION: Winchester Fashion Week, Mon 4 – Sat 9 April, various locations, Winchester

Strike a pose and get involved at Winchester Fashion Week. Sustainability is bang on trend, with a clothes swap, pre-loved boutique and discussion on circular fashion. Also in town, there’s late night shopping at local retailers, events, pampering from top hairdressers Haringtons and Giuseppe Manco Salon, craft workshops, and loads more. The grand finale is a catwalk and pop ups at The University of Winchester.

VISIT: The Base’s Festival of Art and Craft, Sat 9 – Sun 10 / Sat 16 – Mon 18 April, The Base, Greenham Common

A brand new celebration of arts, crafts and artisan food and drink from local makers and creators is what’s on at The Base at Greenham Common this April. Try out workshops from the extensive programme of arts and crafts sessions. Tuck into food from the brilliant onsite Honesty Cafe and local pop-ups and browse work from local artists. Feeling arty? Then go ahead an make your own mark on the huge chalkboard doodle wall.

KIDS: Fun On The Line In ’39 at The Watercress Line, Sat 9 – Sun 10 April & Fri 15 – Mon 18 April, Alton/Alresford

Watercress Line Fun on the Line in '39 Things to do in Hampshire

So much more fun than a history text book, The Watercress Line’s Fun on the Line in 39′ event is an interactive living history experience, winding back time to World War II. Meet the Station Master at Alresford growing veg to help the war effort. At Ropley, women on the railway tell all about their work on Canadian Pacific. And at Alton, Local Defense Volunteer Norman Bishop has lost his Oxo cubes. Easily done.

VISIT: Isle of Wight Spring Art & Garden Fair, Fri 15 – Sat 16 April, Northwood House, Cowes, Isle of Wight

Northwood House Isle of Wight Spring Fair Easter 2022 What's on

Green fingered? Head down to Northwood House and Park near Cowes this Good Friday and Easter Saturday for plants, shrubs, garden tools and more. If you just fancy a potter around the estate there’s plenty more to amuse such as art stalls and tuition, brilliant Island produce, Easter crafts and a family egg hunt plus lashings of Pimm’s on the lawn and loads of homemade cake.

MUSIC: Ticket to Ryde Festival, Sat 16 – Sun 17 April, Eastern Gardens, Ryde Seafront, Isle of Wight

Despite the name, you won’t actually need a ticket for this one! Staged as a community event for Islanders, this popular weekend of music and fun brings together local acts with family fun, raising money for good causes. Expect Mod-vibes, festi-food from Island traders, a real ale bar, local pop-up stalls and more.

ACTIVITIES: Abseil Down the Spinnaker Tower, weekends from Sat 16 April, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth Hampshire

Look out, below! If you’ve got the head for it, abseil down the side of Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower, a 100m descent that takes in views across Portsmouth harbour, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Pay a bit extra and you can get the souvenir T-shirt (and the Go Pro video) to prove to others – and yourself – that you actually braved it.

THEATRE: Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at The Mayflower, Tues 19 – Sat 23 April, Southampton

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Mayflower Theatre Southampton What's on Hampshire April 2022

The latest theatrical blockbuster to land on the South Coast, this brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to The Theatre Royal Southampton. Alexandra Burke, Jac Yarrow and Jason Donovan all star, along with Donovan’s 1991 pop classic Any Dream Will Do. “I closed my eyes…”

THEATRE: Titanic the Musical at The King’s Theatre, Wed 20 – Sun 24 April, Southsea

The ship of dreams, unmatched anywhere in the world, filled with millionaires and migrants dreaming of a better life. Find them all in this brilliant musical extravaganza by Maury Yeston (Nine, Grand Hotel) and Peter Stone, filled with moving music, heartfelt lyrics and stories full of aspiration, love, hope and tragedy.

VISIT: Hanami Blossom Festival at Hinton Ampner, Sat 23 April – Sun 1 May, near Alresford

Hinton Ampner Cherry Blossom — Pic: ©National Trust images – Alison Marsh.

Celebrating The National Trust’s #BlossomWatch Day (23 April), Hinton Ampner is throwing its very own Japanese-inspired Blossom Festival celebration. Join in with croquet and swingball on the lawn, and Japanese lantern-making activities for children at weekends. Follow the chalk board signage to floral hot spots around the beautiful orchard and gardens (click here for more), then picnic in the spring sunshine on a blanket. Bloomin’ bliss.

FOOD: Sourdough bread class for beginners, Sun 24 April, Hoxton Bakehouse

It’s famed for baking beautiful sourdough, partnering poached eggs on plates at some of the best cafes and restaurants in Hampshire. Now, the rapidly expanding indie Hoxton Bakehouse chain is sharing the secrets of its success. Get stuck in at this beginner-oriented three-hour workshop, which includes tuition, goodies and home-baked pizza for lunch.

KIDS: Spring Steam-up at the Brickworks Museum, Sun 24 April, Bursledon

Celebrating its 125th year, the great Brickworks machinery cranks back to life for the annual Spring Steam-up reopening with traction engines, vehicles, craft stalls, children’s activities and more.

FOOD: Matilda Afternoon Tea at New Park Manor Hotel, from Tues 26 April, Brockenhurst, New Forest

“This one was mine. And it was the most scrumptious cake in the entire world…” raged Miss Truchbull. Love Roald Dahl’s Matilda? Then risk the wrath of the big bully headmistress with an enormous slice of ‘Brucie’ Bogtrotter chocolate cake and story-inspired, slap-up afternoon tea at New Park Manor Hotel (£35pp). Kids will love the Matilda & Miss Honey’s After School Cream Tea with newt juice (eww!) and more on their own special platter (£15).

THEATRE: Soul Sisters the Musical at The Anvil, Thurs 28 April, Basingstoke

Make way, they’re coming through-ooh… Join the Soul Sisters at The Anvil for a soul night special. Sugarbabes’ Amelle Berrabah, Bad Girls’ Nicole Faraday and Wendi Harriott (The Voice) star in this feel-good, funky musical.

EXHIBITION: A Costume of Sport at Chawton House, Thurs 28 April onwards, near Alton

Thought the altheisure trend posed a fashion dilemma? Imagine the challenge of playing sport in Regency dress… Find out what ladies of the period like Jane Austen wore and the activities they got up to in this brilliant new exhibition.

VISIT: BBC Gardener’s World Spring Fair at The National Motor Museum, Fri 29 April – Sun 1 May, Beaulieu, New Forest

BBC Gardeners Spring Festival Beaulieu What's On April 2022 Hampshire

Fragrant flowers, beautiful borders – if your garden could do with a spruce, get this Spring extravaganza in the diary now! Packed with planting ideas, stunning floral displays from top nurseries, a food market and bandstand entertainment, tickets also include entry to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Little Beaulieu, The World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and its gorgeous grounds and gardens.

OUTDOORS: Isle of Wight Challenge, Sat 30 April – Sun 1 May, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight coastal path walking challenge

Fancy a bit of fresh air? Well how about taking on this epic walk around the Isle of Wight with around 2,000 fellow adventurers. Starting off in Chale, it takes in amazing views over the southern cliffs, past the iconic Needles and on up to the half way point of Cowes. The Chale to Chale full Island challenge goes on to Ventnor and all the way back – an epic 106km supported with breaks, rest stops and transportation.

DRINK: Real Ale Festival at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Sat 30 April – Mon 2 May, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight

A chuffing great knees up at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, the 16th Isle of Wight Real Ale Festival will feature live rock and R&B acts, with local brews from Yates’, Goddards and the Island Brewery, plus mainland ales from Yorkshire, Somerset and more. Cheers!

Super Spring! What’s on this April

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