CARS: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang pays a flying visit! Sat 18 March, Portsmouth

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car Kings Theatre Portsmouth

Now here’s a photo op! Ahead of the upcoming production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The Kings Theatre (11 – 16 April), the iconic car will play a flying visit over from the Isle of Wight this Saturday 18 March. A faithful recreation of the one from the classic 1968 Dick van Dyke film, its first stop will be Gunwharf Quays. From 11am until early afternoon there’ll be the chance to have photos with the car and the cast. Later, cast and car will drop into The Queens Hotel for a Chitty themed cocktail (mocktail for the driver, please).

ART: Sin, The Gallery in The Arc, now until Sun 14 May, Winchester

Tracy Emin It was just a kiss Sin exhibition Winchester Hampshire — *Pic: Dan Wilson Photography, on behalf of Hampshire Cultural Trust.*

What – your local Muddy leading you into temptation? Just landed at The Arc, Sin is a touring exhibition featuring eight paintings from The National Gallery’s collection – including a Rembrandt and two special loans by contemporary artists Tracey Emin and Ron Mueck. Get the lowdown in our review here, then head over on your next trip to Winchester.

MUSIC: The Matt Goss Experience, Fri 31 March, Bournemouth International Centre

Whether you were a Brosette first time round in the Nineties or fell back in love with Matt Goss watching Bros: After The Screaming Stops and Strictly, you’ll be VERY pleased to know that The Matt Goss Experience is coming to Bournemouth International Centre on Fri 31 Mar. Expect a night of his greatest hits and new original music – after 11 years headlining Las Vegas (three more than Elvis, just saying) one thing Goss knows is how to play to a crowd.

ART: Catherine Knight: Long Shadows, now until Sat 3 June, Petersfield Museum

Catherine Knight artist Long Shadows exhibition Petersfield Museum Hampshire whats on March 2023

Her first ever solo exhibition, Long Shadows is a beautiful collection of paintings by emerging British artist Catherine Knight. Full marks if you spot a Scandi-vibe – the work is based on landscapes around Oslo and Åsgårdstrand, Norway, which also had a big influence on artist Edvard Munch.

LITERATURE: Quills & Characters, now until Sun 3 September, Chawton House, near Alton

Nostalgic for the days of handwritten family updates and declarations of undying love? Exploring the now lost art of letter-writing in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this brand new exhibition uncovers stories of science and scholarship, love and literature. Included in the museum admission price, the exhibition also introduces lesser-known women correspondents like the teenage Charlotte Jane St Maur and historical fiction writer Anna Eliza Bray, alongside well-known figures like mathematician Mary Somerville and her protegee, Ada Lovelace.

THEATRE: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Tues 14 – Sat 18 March. The Mayflower, Southampton

Sleeping Beauty at The Mayflower Theatre Southampton March 2023 What's On Hampshire — Photo: Johan Persson

Enter a wondrous world of magical fairies and vampires, where the timeless tale of good versus evil is turned upside-down. Will Princess Aurora ever find her true love again? Find out in this critic-rated gothic romance at The Mayflower, Southampton.

MUSIC: Petersfield Musical Festival, Friday 17 – Sat 25 March, Petersfield

Reclaiming the market town’s Festival Hall for it’s original purpose, Petersfield Music Festival is a series of concerts held here and at the nearby St Peter’s Church. Local musical talent, young up-and-coming performers and internationally-acclaimed artists will all get their chance to shine.

ART: Telling Tales, the story of Narrative Art, Friday 17 March – Saturday 1 July, Southampton City Art Gallery

James Tissot, The Captain’s Daughter, 1873, oil on canvas, Southampton City Art Gallery. Image © Southampton Cultural Services.

Dubbed ‘the reality television of the Victorian era’ this new Narrative Art exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery is a collaboration with the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. The collection shines a light on the soap opera-style paintings rejected by the artistic elite but loved by the public. One for the history buffs, it’s a brilliant insight on how the Victorians lived and the tales they told.

MOTHER’S DAY: Gin Cocktail Masterclass at The Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Fri 17 – Sun 19 March, Whitchurch

Mother’s ruin? She’ll certainly be spoiled rotten with this VIP cocktail masterclass at the brilliant Bombay Sapphire Distillery, including a full tour of the award-winning attraction. Open Friday – Sundays, it’s available to book over the Mother’s Day weekend.

FOOD & DRINK: Andover Vegan Market, Sunday 19 March, High Street, Andover

The first of two Vegan Markets coming to Andover this year, taste, try and poke your way through local and national independent vegan businesses and brands. Sellers will include vegan street food stalls, baked goodies, artisan vegan cheese and chocolate, zero-waste living stalls, cruelty-free skincare brands and more.

MOTHER’S DAY: Mother’s Day Special at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Sun 19 March, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Railway Spring Mother's Day special bluebells

Toot, Toot! Treat mum to something a little different this year with a Heritage Steam Railway ride through stunning Isle of Wight countryside. Every mother travelling on the train will receive a free posy of Spring flowers. First-class? Upgrade to the Edwardian Hamper Experience, with sandwiches, cakes, and Prosecco.

THEATRE: Carmen, Tues 21 March, The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

Carmen Ukranian National Opera New Theatre Royal Portsmouth

See the Ukrainian National Opera tell the story of Carmen and the downfall of Don José, the naïve soldier who falls head over heels in love with her. Spoiler alert: the infatuated Don José abandons his childhood sweetheart and neglects his military duties, only to lose the fickle Carmen to the glamorous toreador Escamillo. Talk about unlucky in love. The cast will be accompanied by an orchestra of over 30 musicians.

EXHIBITION: Gyles Brandreth: Fun and Fabulous Jumpers, Tues 21 March – Sat 2 September, Petersfield Museum

Gyles Brandreth jumpers Petersfield what's on March 2023 Hampshire

Writer, broadcaster, actor, former MP and podcaster Gyles Brandreth is renowned for spinning a yarn – and wearing one. See a whole bunch of his colorful and quirky jumpers in this fun new two-part exhibition at the Petersfield Museum this month. The collection includes classic vintages from the 1970s and 1980s which he famously wore on breakfast TV.

DRINK: Cocktails at The Theatre, Sat 25 March, The Point, Eastleigh

Shake up your Saturday at The Point Theatre in this new workshop collaboration with mixologists from The Boozy Bar. Make and drink three cocktails to drink with food from the café. There’ll also be a pop up bar here on Fri 28 April and Fri 12 May.

CARS: Sandown Sprint, Sat 25 – Sun 26 March, Sandown, Isle of Wight

Vrroom, vrroom! Harking back to the days before national speed limits, see all kinds of classic and modern cars in action at this nostalgic race meet. Make the most of the natural vantage point with views over Bembridge Down to watch the action from the spectator viewing areas (ticketed). Kids aged 4 -12 can also join in the fun racing electric go-karts at Sandham Gardens.

ART: Palais des Vaches Spring exhibition, Sat 25 – Sun 26 March, Exbury

The latest collaboration between Caroline & Nick de Rothschild’s brilliantly quirky Palais des Vaches and The Coastal Gallery, this brand new exhibition filled with bright and beautiful paintings, sculpture and more from talented Hampshire artists. Head there for the opening weekend or book ahead for more dates in April and May.

ART: Live Art with Ingrid Berry, Wed 29 March, The Yard, Alresford

Ingrid Berry portrait artist The Yard Hampshire What's On March 2023

Love art – but prefer to leave the creative bit to others? Head to The Yard from 7pm on Wed 29 March and watch a professional portrait painter in action. While you tuck into a supper of bowl food, local artist Ingrid Berry will paint a model live. She’ll also share her passion for the history of portraiture and explore some of the styles and schools which have influenced the way we see ourselves and others on canvas.

EXHIBITION: Born Free Forever with Will Travers OBE and Kirsty Gallacher, Thurs 30 March, Chewton Glen, New Milton

Lion on Landrover bronze statue Chewton Glen Born Free Exhibition

Lions prowling the grounds at Chewton Glen? Don’t worry, these beautiful bronzes won’t bite. Partnering with the Born Free Foundation, celebrate the launch of our the luxe hotel’s new collaboration at the officially unveiling. Join special guest patrons Kirsty Gallacher and Will Travers OBE for a signature cocktail, Elsa’s Joy, canapés and live entertainment.

THEATRE: An evening with Kate Mosse, Fri 31 March, The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

No, not the supermodel. Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries – how Women (also) Built the World is a new show from the best-selling British author. Part detective story, part love letter to history, this one-woman show stages the stories of some of the most inspiring, extraordinary and trail-blazing women throughout history.

FORWARD PLAN

KIDS: National Trust Easter Egg Hunts – Sat 1 – Sun 16 April

Children in the grounds of Hinton Ampner National Trust property near Alresford Winchester Hampshire trail

Nearly Easter, which means kids tearing around the grounds of our glorious National Trust properties around Hampshire – and a choccie egg at the end of it.

At Mottisfont, near Romsey, this year’s trail has a village fete theme with traditional springtime activities like egg rolling and bean bag throwing, as well as spring-themed crafts.

There’s a family egg and spoon race, quirky obstacle course maze and wellies to hunt for in the orchard at The Vyne, near Basingstoke.

Find giant carrots and rabbit-style racing on the south lawn at Hinton Ampner, near Alresford.

And ready, set, hop! Up in the South Downs, Uppark’s Easter trail has fun family challenges. Jump like a deer on the lawn, hula hoop in the scented garden and play Bug Bingo in the woods. HOUSE!

On the March! What’s on around Hampshire & Isle of Wight

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