With kids
Rainy days and family days out
What to do with children in Odiham whatever the weather, from a swim and a museum on wet days to playgrounds, alpacas and the canal when it's dry.
When it rains
Basingstoke, about 20 minutes
Milestones Museum
A whole indoor village of Hampshire's past, with recreated streets, shops and transport. Children love the 1940s sweet shop. It's open Tuesday to Sunday and closed most Mondays (it opens on Mondays in school and bank holidays).
Just outside the village
Swim Odiham
The pool that serves RAF Odiham is open to the public, with family fun swims and inflatable sessions on Saturdays. Session times change, so check the timetable.
Crondall, about 10 minutes
Ballerz Clubhouse
Indoor mini golf, duckpin bowling, darts and shuffleboard. Families are welcome in the daytime (evenings are more grown-up). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and you book online.
In the village
Film night at the Cross Barn
The volunteer-run community cinema shows films in Odiham's Tudor barn on some Friday evenings.
In the village
The Sweet Shop and Force TCG
Sweets by the quarter at The Sweet Shop (usually Tuesday to Saturday), and Pokémon cards at Force TCG in Fountains Mall on Saturdays (check its Instagram first). Hot chocolate at Fountains next door, which has highchairs.
North Warnborough, about 10 minutes
Newlyns Farm Café
Big, airy and used to families, with a children's menu for under-12s and breakfast until 2pm. The farm shop is next door.
Farnham, about 20 minutes
Museum of Farnham and a film
The museum is free (Wednesday to Saturday), and there's a six-screen cinema at Brightwells Yard in the town centre. More on Farnham.
When it's dry
In the village
Odiham Recreation Ground
The parish council's playground on Recreation Road has equipment for younger children and for 7 to 12-year-olds, a games area and playing fields, with a car park.
A short walk
Ducks, boats and the towpath at Colt Hill
The canal by Colt Hill Wharf is a good spot for a picnic and for watching the boats. The towpath is flat, so it's fine for little legs, and the walk to King John's Castle ends at a proper ruin. Galleon Marine is closed for the winter and opens again for the boating season in spring.
On the canal
John Pinkerton trips
The canal society's trip boat runs themed trips, including children's ones, in its season. Book ahead. Boarding is down five steps.
Near junction 5, about 10 minutes
Pennybridge Alpacas
A two-hour alpaca experience with a halter walk. Over-11s can lead an alpaca with an adult, under-18s must be accompanied, and no dogs.
Sherfield-on-Loddon, about 20 minutes
Woodland Garden Adventure Golf
An 18-hole mini golf course through woodland planting, for all ages, with free parking and a café.
Odiham Common
Wellies and woods
Great for a run around, but very muddy after rain, and Hart District Council says it isn't suitable for pushchairs unless the ground is very dry.
With a buggy
The High Street, the heritage trail (pavements and churchyard paths, mostly level) and the canal towpath from Colt Hill are the easy ones. Skip the Common and the field walks after rain.
Quick answers
What can you do in Odiham when it rains?
Swim Odiham, the shops and cafés on the High Street, and a film at the Cross Barn on some Fridays. Milestones Museum in Basingstoke is all indoors and about 20 minutes away.
Is there a playground in Odiham?
Yes, at the Recreation Ground on Recreation Road, with equipment for younger children and 7 to 12-year-olds, a games area and a car park.
Is the Basingstoke Canal towpath OK with a pushchair?
The towpath from Colt Hill Wharf is flat and generally fine. Odiham Common is not suitable for pushchairs unless it's very dry.