Juniper Leisure, Tank Driving

Climbing into the driver's seat of a real tank and actually getting to steer the thing - that's what Juniper Leisure offers near Winchester. You're not just sitting in one while someone else drives; you take proper control of a genuine military vehicle and drive it round a course yourself. It's genuinely brilliant, the sort of thing you remember years later.

The experience lasts a couple of hours and involves instruction on how to operate the beast, then your turn at the controls. You'll feel the weight of it, work out the steering, and understand why tank crews are respected. Adults absolutely love it, older teenagers usually do too, though younger kids might find it a bit intimidating or not quite long enough to hold their attention. Groups work well here - the camaraderie builds as you watch mates wrestle with a tank.

Winchester is close by, so you could easily pair this with exploring the cathedral and high street, though they're different beasts entirely. If you're staying at The Spinney Caravan Park or Hookpit Farm nearby, you're under an hour away, making it a proper afternoon activity. Woodlands Camping and Hampshire Hills are slightly further out but still manageable as a day trip from base.

Check opening times before you go - it's not a walk-in sort of place and you'll need to book. Expect to pay for the privilege, but if you've always wanted to drive a tank, you'll reckon it's worth every penny.