Five fun things to do with the family around Southampton this weekend

Conservation and cricket are among the items on the agenda for family fun in Hampshire this weekend.

Here's our top tips for things to do to keep everyone entertained on May 11 and 12.

At Bucklers Hard...

Discover how you can play your part in protecting the environment while you enjoy fun activities, face painting and the Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow at Buckler’s Hard on Sunday.

Entry to the Family Conservation Awareness Day and the maritime village is free and displays and activities will run from 10am - 3.30pm. Now in its third year, the event provides a fun way for all the family to learn about local wildlife issues in the heart of the New Forest.

You may have heard of a flea circus but what about a bee circus? Dr Albinele brings his Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow and travelling hive to the event. Learn the waggle dance, join in with sticky ball pollination and watch out for the exterminator, while you discover how important bees really are!

Snazzy Roo Face Painting is not just for children, while a sustainability trail will lead you around Buckler’s Hard Apple Orchard and New Forest Marque member New Forest Fruit will share dried strawberry snacks.

From experts on fungus to dormice and moths, meet and chat with local woodlanders, wildlife and countryside specialists. A woodland craftsmen’s area will feature New Forest Coppice Crafts, woodland teacher Paul Brockman and Pondhead Conservation Trust. Joining them will be Matthew Gregory Tree Services and Vesper Conservation Ecology.

The Countryside Education Trust will run a quiz about Climate Change and its impact on coastal habitats. Natural England’s Marine Lead Advisor will answer questions on the Solent, together with British Divers Marine Life Rescue ­– which recently helped the Beaulieu River team to protect Hampshire’s first grey seal pup. Continuing the maritime theme will be Project Seagrass and Solent Seascape.

The RSPB and Bird Aware Solent will offer advice on how to look after our birdlife and their nesting habitats. Also keeping an eye will be Hampshire Police Countrywatch, explaining Operation Seabird and rural policing on land and sea.

Inland streams, rivers, bogs and ponds will be promoted by Freshwater Habitats Trust, while New Forest National Park Rangers and Forestry England will explain how the landscape and livestock are maintained and co-exist in the working New Forest.

All things deer related will be covered by the British Deer Society and Thornhill Deer Management, in association with Premier Wildlife Services. The New Forest Non-Native Plants Officer will also help you to identify invasive species and advise on the best way to deal with them.

New Forest artwork, books and maps will be on sale and Wild New Forest, which runs guided tours on the Beaulieu River, will share its extensive survey work and discuss educational walks and talks.

At St James Park, Shirley...

Help Shirley celebrate the beginning of summer, with FoSJP’s rescheduled May Day in the Park!

Everyone is warmly invited to the free Friends of St James’ Park’s May Day in the Park event on Sunday, which was scaled back on Bank Holiday Monday due to the weather.

There will be lots of stalls from local organisations including crafts, charities, food and sweet treats.

Have a go on the climbing wall, get your face painted or take part in some fun activities including bouncy castles and inflatables too.

There will be music, dance and performances throughout, and delicious food on offer between 11am and 3pm.

At Mayflower Theatre...

According to our review, it's 'a musical that makes your heart soar'.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs until Sunday at Mayflower Theatre.

A brand-new production of this much-loved family favourite stars Adam Garcia (Wicked, Kiss Me Kate, Coyote Ugly) as Caractacus Potts, Liam Fox (Emmerdale) as Grandpa Potts and Charlie Brooks (The Ocean at the End of the Lane, EastEnders) as the Childcatcher.

Directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic, Parade), choreographed by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Bodyguard) and designed by Morgan Large (Newsies, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), this ravishing award-winning musical is bursting with unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and of course the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, in Chitty  Chitty Bang Bang we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, they end up on a fantastical adventure to far off lands. Their heart-warming journey makes Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a fun-filled hit for all the family.

At Utilita Bowl...

Hampshire return to Vitality County Championship action this week as Durham make the trip down to Utilita Bowl.

The two sides were meant to meet during the opening round of the season, however the match was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.

James Vince's side are still looking for their first victory after a difficult start to the summer and currently sit ninth in the Division One table.

Durham, meanwhile, are in fifth having began their return to the top flight with three draws and a victory.

At Exbury Gardens...

Exbury Gardens’ Azalea Bowl, a firm visitor favourite that blossoms in April/May in a kaleidoscope of reds, shocking pinks, purples and whites, is marking its 60th anniversary with a sparkling flowering season, thanks to high rainfall and, to date, no late harsh spring frosts.

Planted in 1964 by former head gardener Freddie Wynniatt, under the guidance of then owner Edmund de Rothschild, it surrounds a large pond in the Gardens. It has witnessed numerous marriage proposals and its peak flowering season is always keenly awaited by visitors.

The Gardens team are running special azalea-themed guided tours. A seasonal spotlight tour, focusing on rhododendrons and azaleas, by the Gardens team will take place on Saturday. Tickets can be booked onilne.