Netley Abbey

Netley Abbey is the surviving ruin of a medieval Cistercian monastery, set among trees on a slope above Southampton Water. Almost all the walls of its 13th-century church still stand, together with many of the monastic buildings, so children can wander through the stonework and imagine how a working abbey was laid out. It is an outdoor heritage site rather than an indoor attraction, so it suits families who like exploring, walking and spotting the arches, windows and passages in the ruins. Dogs on leads are welcome. There are no toilets or cafés on site, so families usually plan a stop in the village beforehand. Steps and uneven ground run through much of the ruins, so pushchair and wheelchair users may find some areas difficult. Climbing on the walls is not allowed.