Hampshire Water Festival

The Fourth Hampshire Water Festival will saturate Romsey on Saturday 19 August.

Through providing a very diverse range of free events, the Festival aims to engage thousands of Hampshire residents with water issues. The need for this engagement is obvious, given the threats and widespread concern arising from development pressure, climate change and drought.

Entertainment, including three fantastic bands and street theatre will lead people to visiting the marquees of the Wildlife Trust, Southern Water and the Environment Agency. Films and talks will engage people with both local river-dependent wildlife as well as big global water issues. The Hampshire Water Market will showcase how our local producers use Hampshire’s water to provide us with top quality food and drink. Guided walks and exhibitions will explore the central role of water in Romsey’s history. An Inventors fair will sell some of the latest water saving gadgets for use in the home.

There are many activities for children of all ages including dry fishing lessons, craft workshops, storytelling and water management games. And it’s all free.

In addition, there are water-related events being held across Hampshire throughout August. These include an open day at the National Trust’s Winchester City Mill (Saturday 12 August), a Source-to-Sea tour of the River Hamble (Sunday 20 August, (bookings essential – 01962 846925), guided tours of Portsmouth Water's River Itchen Waterworks (Saturday August 19, bookings essential – 02380 473626), and a series of events for children at Staunton Country Park (Monday 21 – Friday 25 August).