Military heritage

Hampshire has an abundance of military heritage sites to choose from, including castles, forts, regimental museums, historic houses and country parks, and is home to both the British Army at Aldershot and the Royal Navy at Portsmouth.

Hampshire's military heritage dates back to the Romans, and can be seen in the impressive Portchester Castle, overlooking the Solent, one of the best preserved Roman strongholds in northern Europe.

Winchester has six regimental museums, including those of the Royal Hampshire Regiment and the Gurkhas, while other fascinating histories can be traced at the Museum of Army Chaplaincy at Andover, the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop and the Army Medical Services Museum at Mytchett.

Hampshire has had its fair share of military heroes, such as the Duke of Wellington, whose magnificent funeral carriage can be seen at the elegant Stratfield Saye House, and Lord Louis Mountbatten, whose distinguished life is celebrated at his family home of Broadlands in Romsey.

Children will love the gun firings, mock battles and explosive goings on at Royal Armouries Fort Nelson while at the Royal Marines Museum at Southsea they can try on uniforms and pit their wits against the jungle.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is one of the UK's top ten heritage attractions, including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, Harbour Tours and interactive Action Stations. A short walk away lies Gunwharf Quays, home to the 170m Spinnaker Tower offering a bird's eye view of the big ships. Or take the Gosport ferry across the water and walk on board a real submarine at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.

The British Army is based in Aldershot and the annual Aldershot Garrison Show is not to be missed, with spectacular arena displays, exhibitors and traders, as well as a grand displays of military vehicles and equipment. The Aldershot Military Museum traces the town's military history and is a firm favourite with families, with recreated barracks, a tank simulator and a training tunnel to try out.

Defence of the Realm

Visit our sister website showcasing over 20 military attractions in and around Hampshire, from the Museum of Army Flying near Andover to Winchester's Military Museums. Discount entry vouchers are available online.

The Mary Rose Heritage Project 

The hull of the Mary Rose is currently withdrawn from public view as part of a £35 million heritage project to build an internationally-renowned museum. The ship, together with a recreation of the boat's missing side, will next be open to the public in 2012, when she will be housed in a brand new boat-shaped museum. The Mary Rose Museum remains open to the public with an exceptional collection of thousands of personal, domestic and military objects.