With strawberry picking season upon us, new rides and attractions in the New Forest and plenty of other things to see and do, one week just won't be long enough. 

Here's our guide to the family must dos in and around Southampton this May half term holiday. 

Strawberry picking...

(Image: Pixabay) Strawberry picking season is under way and we're blessed with some of the very best in the world in our corner of Hampshire.

Families wanting their strawberry fix at Southampton favourite Pickwell Farm, in Grange Road, will find its just opened for picking. 

Eager pickers have been enjoying some of the earliest specimens from the polytunnels at Goodall's in Lymington for a few weeks now with the added bonus of a superb crazy golf course next door for added family fun.

New ride fun...

(Image: Paultons Park) Paultons Park has launched a new £3.5 million indoor ride, the park's first ever dark ride, just in time for half term. 

Ghostly Manor is a spooky interactive experience for guests aged five and above.

Upon boarding the four-seater ride carriages, guests are armed with their own Phantom Phaser, a device to capture and contain mischievous ghosts and misbehaving spirits that have escaped into the Manor.

At the end of the adventure, each rider is presented with their ghost-catching score, revealing who has the best ghost-hunting skills.

Become pals with a pet...

(Image: Pets at Home) This half-term, bring your children to Pets at Home on Winchester Road for an engaging and educational My Pet Pals workshop.

Children will discover which animals can ‘buddy up’ and enjoy living together and which prefer their own space - a fun way to learn about animal behaviour and companionship.

The My Pet Pals workshops, every day at 2pm, include exciting activities such as creating and designing animal characters, fun activity sheets and learning how to safely handle small pets like guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and hamsters.

Unleash your inner ninja with two for one tickets...

Throughout May, Ninja Warrior UK Southampton is offering two for the price of one tickets- perfect for keeping the kids busy, a friends’ day out or when the weather doesn’t hold up!

Ninja Warrior UK tests your Ninja skills while climbing, balancing and swinging across obstacles or bouncing across giant inflatables – plus find out if you have what it takes to beat the Warped Wall!

When it’s time to refuel, families can relax in the cafe with a variety of drinks and snacks.

From F1 to folklore fun...

(Image: Beaulieu) Beaulieu is gearing up for an action-packed half-term, blending folklore and Formula 1.

Visitors can explore the New Forest Folklore trail and get up close with historic F1 cars in the National Motor Museum's new "Icons of F1" display.

Marking 75 years since the first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1950, the display features cars showcasing each decade of the sport's technical evolution.

Visitors can also test their skills in a professional racing simulator, with a monthly prize for the fastest lap.

The Mill Pond Walk will feature enchanting willow figures, telling tales of New Forest folklore.

Additional attractions include falconry demonstrations, rides in the famous Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the Little Beaulieu adventure play area.

Lord Montagu's Falconer will also be performing with majestic birds.