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Museums & Heritage

Hampshire's museums and historic sites have something for all ages and there's plenty to keep the family entertained. If you like aircraft, submarines, ships, science, local history, literature, castles, Roman villas or Iron Age forts it's all here.

Experience history in motion as you travel by steam or heritage diesel train on the Watercress Line through the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Visit the oldest working silk mill in Britain, Whitchurch Silk Mill, and travel back in time at Milestones, Hampshire's Living History Museum in Basingstoke where costumed actors help bring the streets of old to life.

One of Hampshire's jewels in the crown is Winchester's 13th century Great Hall and the greatest symbol of medieval mythology, 'The Round Table of King Arthur'. Closeby, located in the stunning Peninsula Barracks, are Winchester's Military Museums, an outstanding collection of six of the British Army's finest regiments including the Gurkha Museum and Horse Power - the Museum of the King's Royal Hussars.

Winchester Cathedral boasts the longest nave in Europe, an ancient library and an atmospheric Norman crypt which houses the Sound II statue by Anthony Gormely. Romsey Abbey has a large programme of concerts and is now one of the largest parish churches in England. Netley Abbey near Southampton offers a tranquil setting with extensive ruins of a 13th century Cistercian abbey, and the medieval Hospital of St Cross in Winchester is a hidden gem, nestled in the water meadows alongside the River Itchen.

2010 is the Year of the Museum so check out the fantastic events happening throughout the year at top museums in South East England!