Hamble Swimming Pool

The Hamble pool sits just outside Southampton, a solid local facility that does exactly what it says on the tin. You get a proper swimming pool - decent for lengths if you're trying to get some training in, with the usual changing facilities and shallow end for younger kids learning strokes. It's not going to blow your mind with fancy slides or wave machines, but it's functional, usually not rammed, and genuinely useful if you're camped at one of the nearby parks like Mercury Holiday Park or Bell Tent Glamping a short walk away.

This works best for families who want a straightforward dip rather than a day-long attraction. An hour is plenty of time unless your kids are absolute water babies, in which case you might stretch to ninety minutes. The real value is proximity - it's the sort of place you pop to if the New Forest gets too muddy or you fancy a break from hiking around Lepe Beach, which is an hour's drive away.

Word of warning though: it's a community pool with community hours, so check opening times before you set off - they change seasonally and can be tight mid-afternoon. Admission shouldn't break the bank, but verify costs when you ring ahead. If you're staying in the area and weather turns grim, it's worth knowing about. Just don't treat it as a destination in itself - it's a supporting act for a wider park holiday, not the main event.