Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Museums & Heritage

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Historic sites and museums in Hampshire have something for all ages, and are perfect for a family day out. If you like aircraft, ships, outer space, local history, literature, castles, Roman villas or Iron Age forts it's all here in Hampshire.
 

Museums in Portsmouth & Gosport

Home to HMS Victory, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the UK’s premier destination for naval history and is a must-see for anyone visiting the South of England. The martime city of Portsmouth is also home to the famous Mary Rose Museum where you can explore the remains of Henry VIII’s favourite ship. 

Get ready for big bangs at Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower at Gosport. In this award-winning, hands-on museum you can see the exciting big guns, torpedoes and missiles that have played such an important part in UK heritage. Along the Clarence Esplanade, there's The D-Day Story; the only UK museum dedicated to telling the events of June 1944, a significant moment in history. 

Try the Royal Navy Submarine Museum at Gosport. Here you can go on board Britain’s only surviving World War II ocean-going submarine and hear submariners’ compelling stories about life beneath the waves. 

Gosport is also home to The Diving Museum, the UK's only dedicated diving Museum. This fascinating museum showcases diving equipment covering everything from early to modern diving. 


Museums in Winchester

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'. The Great Hall is also one of the filming locations for Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ series.

Winchester Cathedral boasts the longest nave in Europe, an ancient library and an atmospheric Norman crypt which houses the Sound II statue by Antony Gormley.

The medieval Hospital of St Cross in Winchester is a hidden gem nestling in the water meadows alongside the River Itchen.

In the stunning Peninsula Barracks in Winchester you’ll find Winchester's Military Museums. This is an outstanding collection of five of the British Army's finest regiments including the Gurkha Museum and Horse Power - the Museum of the King's Royal Hussars.
 

Museum in the New Forest

If you love cars old and new, visit the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Find out about the history of motoring, from modern rally cars and F1 Grand Prix to Top Gear, James Bond and Del Boy’s Reliant Regal. The family can also enjoy Palace House, the home of the Montagu family, historic Beaulieu Abbey and numerous other attractions such as a monorail ride and mini driving circuit for children.

For local history visit St Barbe located at the heart of the beautiful, historic coastal market town of Lymington. The museum explores the history of Lymington and the New Forest coast, inspired by local pride, and supported by the local community, its collections and colourful, hands-on displays offer a fascinating insight into the area for all ages. As well as a museum, St Barbe is also home to a highly regarded art gallery. 

Museums in Southampton

At the SeaCity museum in Southampton, find out how the Titanic disaster affected the lives of 500 families in the city. Experience the sights and sounds of Southampton’s port in 1912, when it was home to 23 steamship companies such as White Star Line and Union Castle.

Discover Netley Abbey near Southampton which has the extensive ruins of a 13th century Cistercian abbey.
 

Museums in East Hampshire

If Mr Darcy gets your pulse racing, visit Jane Austen’s House Museum at Chawton, and stand behind the small table where the famous novelist wrote her popular works. Some of Jane Austen’s clothes and jewellery are also on display and you can walk in the garden which she found so peaceful and inspiring.

Visit Selborne to see the historic house and garden which was home to naturalist and writer Gilbert White. Here you’ll also find an exhibition devoted to explorer Frank Oates, otherwise known as Capt Lawrence Oates of Antarctic fame.

For a different Hampshire museums experience, why not travel by steam or heritage diesel train on the Watercress Line through the beautiful Hampshire countryside.
 

Museums in Test Valley

In Test Valley, you can visit the oldest working silk mill in Britain, Whitchurch Silk Mill, or explore the beautiful architecture of Romsey Abbey, one of the largest parish churches in England.
 

Museums in Basingstoke

Travel back in time at Milestones, Hampshire's Living History Museum in Basingstoke, where costumed actors help bring the streets of old to life and you can peruse the shops of yesteryear.

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Number of results: 91

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  1. Buckler's Hard

    New Forest

    Dates

    From:
    9 Apr 2024to30 Sept 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1917 reviews1917 reviews
  2. Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

    Exbury

    Dates

    From:
    9 Mar 2024to3 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 17:30

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1414 reviews1414 reviews

    Price

    Price £6.00 to £17.60 Per Ticket
  3. The Arc

    Winchester

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 62 reviews62 reviews
  4. Beaulieu, Home of the National Motor Museum

    Beaulieu

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2024to27 May 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    28 May 2024to11 Sept 2024Open 10:00 - 18:00
    From:
    12 Sept 2024to31 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 7594 reviews7594 reviews

    Price

    Price Free Per person per day to £73.00 Per Ticket
  5. Eling Tide Mill Experience

    Totton

    Dates

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 107 reviews107 reviews

    Price

    Price £4.50 to £18.00 Per Ticket
  6. Royal Victoria Country Park

    Southampton

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2024to28 Feb 2025Open 08:00 - 17:00

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 233 reviews233 reviews
  7. Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre

    Farnborough

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024
  8. 878 AD Step into Anglo Saxon Winchester

    Winchester

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 38 reviews38 reviews
  9. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

    HM Naval Base, Portsmouth

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 8539 reviews8539 reviews

    Price

    Price £24.00 to £140.00 Per Ticket
  10. Jane Austen's House

    Near Alton

    Dates

    From:
    6 Mar 2024to31 Mar 2024Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Apr 2024to14 Apr 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
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    17 Apr 2024to26 May 2024Various Opening Times
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    6 May 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    27 May 2024to2 June 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    3 June 2024to29 Sept 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    2 Oct 2024to27 Oct 2024Various Opening Times
    From:
    28 Oct 2024to3 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    9 Nov 2024to10 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
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    14 Nov 2024to22 Dec 2024Various Opening Times
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    16 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    28 Dec 2024to30 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    6 Jan 2025to7 Jan 2025
    From:
    11 Jan 2025to28 Feb 2025Various Opening Times

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 945 reviews945 reviews

    Price

    Price £6.00 to £30.00 Per Ticket
  11. Lepe Country Park

    Beaulieu

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 463 reviews463 reviews
  12. Royal Armouries - Fort Nelson

    Fareham

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2023to30 Mar 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2024to31 Mar 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Apr 2024to30 Oct 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1370 reviews1370 reviews

    Price

    Free