Looking at the airsoft sites in the county of Hampshire is like opening up a third person shooter video game - we’re thinking of the likes of Call of Duty, Battlefield or Halo - and browsing the huge selection of different game zones that you can enter for a virtual battle. The only difference is that we’re not here to talk about gaming from the comfort of your bedroom. We’re talking about getting out into the real world and putting your nerves, aim, and strategy to the test in the number one combat simulation sport around. Airsoft in Hampshire can see you penetrating deep into the woods, searching for cover in wide open spaces, capturing specially designed set pieces, and exploring real ex-military installations. The range of offers is huge, the quality is high, and the fun is guaranteed.

Airsoft is the combat sport of choice for anyone with a passion for authenticity. It uses full size replicas of real firearms, encourages genuine battlefield tactics and rewards commitment and teamwork. And on top of that, it’s completely pain free. The replica guns shoot plastic pellets which, despite travelling with enough force to achieve ranges of up to 100 metres, simply bounce off clothing on impact. This means that you can focus on the action, and you’ll find that in bucket load around the county of Hampshire.

Where are the best places to play airsoft in Hampshire?

• Southampton: Being the biggest city in the county, it’s not a surprise that Southampton is served by a top class airsoft site. The action takes place across an expansive 100-acre stretch of woodland, where trees, boulders and ditches alternate with man made installations to give you a variety of cover options. But don’t get too used to the layout - if you're a repeat visitor you’ll find that the team reshuffle the arena regularly to keep everyone on their toes.

• Portsmouth: Two fantastic, but very different, airsoft experiences await you near Portsmouth. The first is set in a deep, mature forest, perfect for filling your lungs with fresh air and letting off some steam. The second is an immersive, claustrophobic arena which is located 30 metres underground in a sprawling series of tunnels which were the Royal Navy HeadQuarters for the planning of the D-Day landings. That’s right, you get to live out a wartime fantasy in a genuine piece of military history. The airsoft style here is known as CQB, close quarter battle, and you’ll see why when you descend into the dark of this subterranean labyrinth.

• Gosport: Another authentic, ex-military installation where you can enjoy airsoft is not far away, in Gosport. Parade grounds, mess halls, storage hangers and bunkers make up this base which was used by the Royal Navy in the 1950s. Once again this is a CQB situation, because you never know who’ll be waiting for you as you enter a room, round a corner, or search for a place to catch your breath.

• Alton: CQB and tight spaces aren’t for everyone, and if you’d prefer to play airsoft in the open air, we recommend this site which is on the edge of the South Downs National Park. With a long list of games like Castle Siege, Capture the Flag and Zombie Apocolypse, there’s no danger of getting bored here, and the natural surroundings serve to make this feel like evenmore of an escape from the routine. You can even upgrade your experience by getting your hands on a sniper rifle or a couple of pistols.

• Eversley: When it comes to immersive airsoft games, the town of Eversley in the north of Hampshire, boasts one of the best experiences in the area. This site hosts Milsim, that’s military simulation, and Filmsim, film simulation, games. You can battle through game zones that rival movie sets in their attention to detail, and are diverse as a Viking camp, and a Wild West frontier town.

• Andover: The final site on the list is by no means the least interesting. It’s a fully planned out installation with imitation modern urban combat zones, an extensive polytunnel labyrinth and outdoor battlefields. You can expect all kinds of action here, from CQB, to tactical operations, to mission scenarios.

What are the options for organising an experience?

The popularity of airsoft is thanks in large part to the escapism it provides. Donning military style clothes, wielding faithful replicas of guns and playing in immersive surroundings is a fantastic way to forget about the stresses and strains of ordinary life. For that reason, the best way to enjoy this sport is by spending a full day at one of Hampshire’s sites. During a day-long session, you’ll take part in up to 6 games, each with different configurations of teams, game zones, rules and objectives. Half day sessions are an option at some sites for busier players, while in some places you can find evening sessions, to blow off some serious steam after a day at the office.

Another part of the escapism of airsoft is curating a collection of equipment that suits your play style and looks awesome. Of course, if you’re new to the game, you’ll need to rent some equipment, which is easily arranged at almost all of Hampshire’s sites. This will include weapons and ammos, face masks - which protect the eyes and must be worn at all times - and maybe some basic camouflage equipment.

Requirements to do this activity

Airsoft is one of those sports whose fans take it very seriously. That’s not to say that they’re not welcoming of newcomers, in fact the opposite is true here in Hampshire, but they do expect everyone who takes part to behave appropriately. For that reason, most sites have a minimum age limit of 14 years old. Some sites will accommodate younger players, if they’re with an adult who’s also playing. Close quarter battle, CQB, is a bit more intense and can be restricted to adults only. In the ex-Navy tunnel complex near Portsmouth for example, you have to be 18 years old to participate.

Ready, aim, fire! Hit that booking button and we’ll give you an unforgettable experience.