Museums & Heritage

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.

Step back into 800 years of history at Southampton Tudor House and Garden in the heart of Southampton's Old Town and 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.