10 things to do with the family this weekend

Seaside in the Square launches tomorrow, giving people a little bit of the seaside right in the middle of Southampton City Centre!

For the active, there’ll be a whole range of beach sports including yoga, beach fitness, volleyball and beach soccer. You can even have a go at sumo wrestling!

Kids can take part in the Giant Deckchair Trail by grabbing a copy of the trail from NST, Westquay, Marlands and other outlets in the city (or downloading it from www.seasideinthesquare.com) and get hunting around town for 14 giant deckchairs! Complete the trail and take your sheet to the beach bar at Seaside in the Square to claim your prize.

2 In Hinton Ampner...

This weekend between 10am and 4pm, famous detective Sherlock Holmes needs help solving his latest case at Hinton Ampner. Tackle word scrambles, puzzles and lots of other fun activities on Hinton’s exciting summer trail, to unlock the mystery of….The Hound of Hinton. This activity is suitable for all the family - smaller kids can have fun spotting hidden magnifying glasses, whilst older children can help solve the clues.

3 In Fordingbridge...

Fordingbridge Festival takes place on Saturday from 10.30am until 5pm. Fordingbridge Recreation Ground will see live music, animals, commercial stands, charity stalls and a beer tent, as well as a number of vintage vehicles on display. Prices start at £6 for adults and £1 for children. The event will be topped off with a duck race on the river.

4 In Woodmill...

Woodmill Outdoor Activity Centre is holding a discovery day on Sunday.

Bring your picnic blankets and join in the family fun day, featuring a Strawberries and cream picnic in the beautiful British summer!

Discovery days occur four times a year and are a chance for everyone to try different activities including kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, climbing, leap of faith, pond dipping and bug hunting. There will also be a BBQ, music, face painting and bouncy castle.

This event is for everyone from families to groups of friends and if a child can fit in the equipment then they are able to do the activity (roughly age 4+). Costs vary per activity but you can buy a discovery day challenge card if you'd like to do most of the activities. This costs £10 and includes six arrows at archery, one leap of faith, one climbing and 20 minutes of either kayaking or canoeing.

When you have completed all the activities you would like to do on the card you will simply need to fill in your details and you could be in the chance of winning a years membership for kayaking/canoeing at Woodmill!!

5 In Southampton...

Tour the Old Police Station on Sunday at 10.15 or 11.30am.

SeaCity Museum used to be home to the central police station and courts of Southampton. Now, visitors can tour the old police station for areas that are usually kept away from the public. To book, contact 02380 834536. Tickets are priced at £6.

6 In Eastleigh...

On Sunday, Eastleigh Lakeside Railway is holding a gala day from 10am til 4.30pm.

The theme of the gala is a goodbye as Sandy River and Rob Roy are both to be withdrawn temporarily from service after the gala as every 10 years steam engines require an overhaul.

Send them off in style with an intensive service running all day, and a freight train amongst the passenger trains. This can be taken advantage of through the purchase a Day Rover ticket with a special design for the event.

To end the event there will be a special Lakes Express with Sandy River and Rob Roy double heading a non-stop double lap to bring down the curtain on their special day.

7 In Bedford Place...

It's back! The Bedford Place Summer Festival returns on Sunday between 10am and 4pm.

With Hampshire Farmers Market, music and dancing throughout the day with Now That's Jive. fantastic free family fun including a petting zoo, face-painting, variety of vintage and unique stalls, food and drink and much much more – there is something to keep the whole family entertained for hours on end.

8 In Southampton...

Watch Thomas in his biggest adventure yet as he stars in Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie showing at Showcase Cinema Southampton from tomorrow.

Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie sees Thomas undertake his most epic journey ever as he leaves Sodor to fulfil his dream of travelling the world. The action-packed adventure begins when a mischievous Thomas meets a racing car called Ace, who inspires him to embark on an ambitious trip without the Fat Controller’s permission!

This heroic quest takes Thomas across deserts, through jungles and over dangerous mountains as he travels across five continents seeing sights he has never seen before.

On his journey to discover new places and cultures, Thomas makes friends with an adventurous, inspiring and fun tank engine from Kenya called Nia. But, with so much for Thomas to learn about the world, will Nia be successful in teaching him a lesson about the true meaning of friendship?

9 In Netley Marsh...

This weekend sees the return of Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show at Meadowmead Farm, where steam fans can enjoy the impressive vehicles for three whole days.

Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show was first held in 1971, when it was a one day show and called The Puffin, and local steam engine owners brought along their engines to entertain the visitors.

The aim of the show was to raise funds to pay for urgent repairs to St Matthews Church.

Following the success of that aim and the general enjoyment that was had by everyone who attended the show, it was decided that this should be an annual event.

The show has been going ever since, now a three day event with traction steam engines and a wide and varied range of vintage vehicles and engines, added to which there is always a wide range of entertainments for all ages.

10 In Bursledon...

Trains at the Brickworks Museum takes place on Sunday. The Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum will see a model railway, train rides as well as the usual attractions at the museum. They include old slot machines, children's activities, stalls and other features. For more information, contact 01489 576248.