Your guide to the weekend: Ten fun things to do in Hampshire

Here’s our guide to ten top things to do in Hampshire this weekend...

In Winchester...

BBC History Magazine’s History Weekend is back featuring talks from more than 30 of the biggest names in popular history including Dan Jones, Michael Wood and Tracy Borman.

The magnificent 13th century Great Hall which, houses a famous replica of King Arthur’s round table, and the nearby Elizabethan II court, Ashburton Hall, will play host to 28 speakers from today until Sunday.

These include Tracy Borman on Elizabeth’s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen, exploring the fascinating relationships that Elizabeth I had with the women who influenced her most, including her mother, Anne Boleyn, her greatest rival, Mary Queen of Scots, and the ‘flouting wenches’ who served her at court.

Charles Spencer will tell the tale of one of the most thrilling chapters in royal history - Charles II’s escape following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester – in To Catch a King.

In The Holocaust – Meeting Those Who Were There, former Head of BBC TV History, Laurence Rees, who has spent 25 years meeting survivors and perpetrators of the Third Reich and the Holocaust shares his insights one of the darkest periods of the 20th Century.

See historyweekend.com

At Paultons Park...

THE Hallowe’en fun gets under way tomorrow.

Visit Paultons Park from this weekend until the end of the month and explore a world of pumpkins, spooky characters and ghostly tunes!

Look out for the Headless Horseman, the Witch’s Cauldron, Pumpkin Patch, Giant Pumpkin and Skeleton attractions as you journey through the park.

Character meet and greets with Pickles the Pumpkin and friends will also take place at selected times throughout the day.

During half term, youngsters should head down to the Show Stage and join the Little Monsters Ball where they can bust monster moves to spooky tunes.

Visit paultonspark.co.uk

At Winchester Science Centre...

TO CELEBRATE World Space Week, the venue is hosting a special Star Wars themed weekend, with costumed characters, live shows delving into the science of Star Wars, themed-activities and early evening cinema screenings of Rogue One and The Force Awakens.

The award-winning science communicator, rapper and co-author of The Science of Star Wars, Jon Chase, alongside co-author Mark Brake, perform a live show version of their book. Join Jon and Mark as they explore the science facts within this popular science fiction.

Capturing the imagination and hearts of crowds worldwide, Star Wars is a fantastic feat of science fiction and fantasy. Marvel at the variety of creatures and technology and the mystery behind the force. But how much of the Star Wars world is rooted in reality? Could we see some of the extraordinary inventions materialise in our world?

Rebel Legion will be bringing characters to roam the venue during the weekend. Look out for stormtroopers making a big entrance and see what other characters you can spot throughout the day.

A range of space-themed challenges and activities will be taking place in the Invention Studio throughout the weekend.

Go to winchestersciencecentre.org

In Hampshire cinemas...

DIRECTOR Denis Villeneuve’s eagerly awaited sequel Blade Runner 2049 honours the past and respectfully expands the nihilistic universe imagined by Philip K Dick in his novel, Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?

In Blade Runner 2049, androids dream of wooden horses and possessing the one thing that cannot be coded into their meticulously crafted bodies: a soul.

Motifs from Ridley Scott’s 1982 film reverberate tantalisingly throughout this pristine follow-up, deftly stitching together two timelines without completely excluding audiences who are blissfully ignorant of the original.

Familiarity undoubtedly enriches the experience but also sows seeds of nostalgia-tinged disappointment.

For all its bravura production design and flawless special effects, Blade Runner 2049 doesn’t smack gobs with its invention, aside from a sensual three-way sex scene that gently tickles our g-spot.

Like the automata that enrich human lives, Villeneuve’s film is one small yet significant iteration shy of perfection.

At Mayflower Theatre...

ENJOY the heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series based on the early life of Cilla Black.

Cilla The Musical follows the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame.

By the age of just 25 she was recognised as international singing star Cilla Black and would go on to become Britain’s favourite television entertainer headlining series’ of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.

The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary Liverpool Sound including The Beatles’ Twist and Shout, and American influences like California Dreamin by The Mamas and The Papas and many more.

It’s your last chance to see the show, which closes tomorrow night.

Visit mayflower.org.uk

At Mayfield Nurseries, Weston...

AUTUMN comes to Mayfield Nurseries tomorrow during a special event in aid of Solent Mind.

Enjoy live music from Sholing Juniors Ukulele Band, a barbecue and mulled cider, face painting, a raffle and table top sale.

Become the reigning champion in this year’s conker competition.

There will be a selection of shrubs, winter bedding and basket plants all for sale on the day.

All proceeds will get ploughed back into providing services for people with mental health issues in Southampton.

Visit mayfieldnurseries.org.uk

At Winchester Cathedral...

STANDING beside the grave of Jane Austen and reflecting on the life of this great author is a moving experience.

A tour tomorrow by specialist cathedral guides includes insights into Jane’s life and connections within Hampshire, a walk through the Cathedral Close to the house on College Street where she died and time at her grave.

The guide will join the group in The Refectory after the tour where conversation about Jane Austen will continue. The ticket includes tea or coffee and a slice of cake.

To book, see winchester-cathedral.org.uk

At Southampton Clock Tower...

CLOCK Tower Tours take place on the first Saturday of the month.

Climb Southampton’s iconic clock tower, find out more about its history and enjoy top views!

Participants must be over 12 years old, be physically fit, and should wear sensible shoes as there are more than 200 steps to climb.

Tours set off at 10.30am or 11.30am.

Pre-book on 023 8083 4536 or visit seacitymuseum.co.uk.

In Test Valley...

HUGE annual fundraiser Walk The Test Way takes place on Sunday.

The Rotary Club of Romsey Test event sees all sponsorship going to your chosen charity, last year’s walk raising more than £66,000 for 134 charities.

Entrants have five walks to choose from at five miles, eight miles, 11 miles, 16 miles and 25.5 miles.

The Test Way is a 44-mile long route through the Test Valley. From its dramatic start, high on the chalk downs at Inkpen, it follows much of the course of the River Test to Eling where its tidal waters flow into Southampton Water. Each of the walks ends in Romsey, taking in some stunning spots north of the market town, including Mottisfont, Stockbridge and Longbridge.

The Test is one of Hampshire’s finest chalk streams, world famous for its superb trout fishing.

Visit walkthetestway.org.uk

In High Street, Winchester...

WINCHESTER Farmers Market, on Sunday, is regarded as the largest regular farmers market in the UK with up to 95 stalls.

The award-winning event is famous for being featured on Rick Stein’s food programme.

Held in the heart of this historic cathedral city, producers sell meat, game, goat meat, veal and buffalo meat, cheese, milk, cream, ice cream, honey, breads, cakes, fresh and smoked fish, a large variety of fruits and vegetables and apple juice.

Stroll around the huge range of stalls and sample some of the best produce that Hampshire has to offer. Stop and rest for a while and enjoy a coffee at the coffee stall and then explore the food to go options which include the renowned buffalo burgers, beef burgers, salt beef sandwiches, egg and bacon rolls, hot sausages in rolls, fish cakes, hot soup, the popular Hog Roast and mulled wine.

For the gardening enthusiast, there are a range of plants, shrubs and trees.

The event was voted best in the country by the Guardian Food Magazine.

Go to hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk