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Hampshire has a rich and fascinating past to explore. It is famous for its numerous ancient cities and is rich in culture. One of the best ways to learn about this county’s absorbing history is by visiting its museums. This is why we have compiled a list of the best museums in Hampshire.
Whether you’re a resident of Hampshire or a tourist looking to explore this county’s best attractions, visiting the museums is a great way to start. Hampshire boasts a diverse collection of institutions, each offering a unique perspective on the region’s art, local community history and heritage.
Table Of Contents
- 1 10 Must-See Museums In Hampshire
- 1.1 1. Mary Rose Museum (Portsmouth)
- 1.2 2. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
- 1.3 3. Winchester Science Centre And Planetarium
- 1.4 4. Westgate Museum (Winchester)
- 1.5 5. Tudor House And Garden (Southampton)
- 1.6 6. Solent Sky Museum (Southampton)
- 1.7 7. Southampton Art Gallery
- 1.8 8. Milestones Museum (Basingstoke)
- 1.9 9. Beaulieu National Motor Museum
- 1.10 10. Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson (Portchester)
- 2 Honourable Mentions
- 3 Frequently Asked Questions
- 4 Conclusion
10 Must-See Museums In Hampshire
Given the high number of museums in Hampshire, deciding which one to visit can be difficult. Here are 10 of the best institutions housing various objects of value.
1. Mary Rose Museum (Portsmouth)
Discover what it feels like to be onboard one of King Henry VIII’s favourite warships by visiting the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, the essence of naval firepower in that part of history. The Mary Rose ship sank outside Portsmouth Harbour in 1545 while defending England from invasion.
The warship was returned to the surface in 1982, and now you can explore it at the museum. The Mary Rose Museum, shaped like a boat, features wrecks recovered from the Tudor-era warship and state-of-the-art exhibits.
The Mary Rose Museum doesn’t permit flash photography to prevent artefact damage.
This museum tells the story of one of the most challenging archaeological excavations of all time. You also get to see numerous genuine objects, ranging from prehistoric tools and large bronzes to guns.
The Mary Rose Museum provides workshops and tours for people of all ages and offers an immersive 4D theatre experience of the sinking and excavation of the ship.
2. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
A visit to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard allows you to see various world-famous ships. Start by exploring Lord Nelson’s legendary warship, HMS Victory, and then take some time to learn about Queen Victoria’s fleet aboard HMS Warrior. You’ll also see the HMS M33, one of only three surviving British warships from the First World War.
The museum also offers a water bus service that takes you to the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, where you can learn about the powerful world of naval warfare and the science behind submarines.
Tip: You can buy an Ultimate Explorer Ticket to visit multiple attractions in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and the Mary Rose.
3. Winchester Science Centre And Planetarium
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is the perfect place to visit with your kids for a day of action-packed adventure. This museum provides the ultimate space exploration learning experience for kids aged 3 to 12 and their families.
There is a giant screen around the planetarium that makes it feel like you’re flying through space. You also get to watch fun characters take on exciting adventures in a film show or listen to the space hero inspirers tell enthralling stories about the solar system.
Winchester Science Centre is only a short drive from the Peninsula Barracks, another great attraction in Winchester.
Furthermore, learn the science of music and sport through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations that appeal to both adults and children. Winchester Science Centre has about 100 different interactive displays that are bound to captivate your kids for hours.
4. Westgate Museum (Winchester)
The Westgate Museum is in the historic city of Winchester, at the top of its High Street. The museum tells the story of Winchester’s Tudor and Stuart eras while offering amazing rooftop city views.
Originally a debtor’s prison, many prisoners’ graffiti still line the museum’s walls. Today, the museum displays various Tudor and Stuart-age artefacts, including a significant collection of weights and measures.
The Westgate Museum is only a short distance from Gurkha Museum, another interesting place to visit.
It also has a beautiful-painted ceiling created for Winchester College in preparation for a visit by Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain during their marriage in 1554.
Additionally, the Westgate Museum offers plenty of hands-on activities for people of all ages. Some fun things to do include taking photos while wearing a replica coat of armour and Tudor costumes and making a brass rubbing to take away.
5. Tudor House And Garden (Southampton)
Tudor House is Southampton’s oldest museum and one of the most historic buildings in the local area. A visit to the museum offers a fascinating insight into Southampton’s past. The oldest part of the building is a Norman dwelling that dates back at least 800 years, while the garden part is a recreation of the original Tudor knot garden from the 16th century.
Begin your exploration of this museum by admiring the white-and-timber frontage of the Tudor House, then head inside to peruse the various intriguing objects on display. You’ll also find engravings of people, ships and animals that sailors made in the 16th century.
Tudor House offers free entry for infants, and families get a discount.
Visit the rear of the house to enjoy the floral scents and explore the flowering plants in the gardens. Round off your visit with a stop-by at King John’s Palace, just beyond the garden. This palace is one of the best-preserved examples of Norman architecture in the UK.
Check out other fun things to do in Southampton.
6. Solent Sky Museum (Southampton)
The Solent Sky Museum in Southampton pays tribute to Hampshire’s rich aviation history and houses some of Britain’s most famous aircraft. The museum provides insight into 20th-century breakthroughs in aircraft technology, with fantastic collections.
The Solent Sky Museum showcases 19 aircraft, including the iconic Spitfire, which Britain’s military used to defend the English skies during the Battle of Britain in the summer and autumn of 1940.
Aviation enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the fascinating collection of engines, uniforms and memorabilia on display. You can even climb aboard the Sandringham Flying Boat, which was used as a maritime patrol aircraft during World War II.
The museum has friendly and knowledgeable staff who can answer any curious questions that you may have. They’ll also tell you interesting stories about heroic air battles involving the aircraft and explain what makes each one special.
7. Southampton Art Gallery
The Southampton City Art Gallery, based in the Cultural Quarters, has been open since 1939. The gallery attracts art lovers from different parts of the country who come to enjoy its unique atmosphere and high-quality exhibitions.
The Southampton Art Gallery is located right next to the SeaCity Museum.
The Southampton Art Gallery houses the finest art collection in the South of England, comprising over 5,000 works from eight centuries. Exhibitions in this museum range from painting, drawing and sculpture to photography and film. The gallery also hosts various educational activities and tours to help visitors learn about art.
8. Milestones Museum (Basingstoke)
The Milestone Museum of Living History in Basingstoke offers the perfect day-out experience with your family. This is a detailed recreation of life during the Victorian era through the 1940s.
The museum features life-sized immersive streets with buildings, shops and old vehicles recreated to help you understand what living about a century ago was like. Milestone is split into two floors with plenty of activities to do.
The museum has its own 1940s sweet shop for candy lovers and a vintage tea tent offering cakes and a wide selection of drinks. You can also make a stop at the Baverstock Arms to grab a pint of beer.
The Milestones Museum hosts various holiday events throughout the year.
9. Beaulieu National Motor Museum
The Beaulieu National Motor Museum tells the story of motoring in Britain, introducing you to the origins of some of today’s most popular vehicles. The museum has over 280 vehicles in its world-famous collection, including classic cars, historic sporting motors, F1 racers and modern rally cars.
The Beaulieu is divided into various sections, including the World of Top Gear, which recreates the feel of the famous Top Gear studio and plays behind-the-scenes footage from the show’s challenges.
The museum also features Little Beaulieu, a fantastic place for children to explore where they can uncover secret passageways and ride the zip wire. You can also spend some time at the magnificent Palace House, Lord Montagu’s family home since 1538, and learn about the history of the house and its past residents.
10. Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson (Portchester)
Royal Armouries, which houses a national collection of artillery and historic cannon, is located in Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth. It takes you back in time with its fully restored Victorian fort, which features high ramparts, original fortifications, a massive parade ground and underground tunnels.
Fort Nelson was built in the 1860s out of fear of a potential French invasion, but the invasion never materialised.
The national museum houses over 700 pieces of artillery from different parts of the world, including weapons from over 600 years ago. The highlight of your visit will be seeing the innovative 15th-century Turkish bombard cannon, the Iraqi supergun of Project Babylon and a gigantic 200-tonne railway howitzer.
Honourable Mentions
There are a few other Hampshire museums worth checking out if you’re looking for more adventure and insight into local history.
The D-Day Story (Portsmouth)
The D-Day Story is a museum in Portsmouth dedicated to the Allied Invasion in June 1944. It tells the tale of Operation Overlord during the D-Day landings. Originally known as the D-Day Museum, it reopened as the D-Day Story in 2018, following a £5 million redevelopment project.
Tip: Visit places like the Gurkha Museum and HorsePower, the Museum of the King’s Royal Hussars, for more insight into the UK’s military history.
The D-Day Story features exhibits such as the Overlord Embroidery, which took seven years to complete and the Sherman Tank, which the United States and its Western allies used in World War II.
The museum also contains a cafe where you can stop for a drink, and there’s a small shop that sells various items, including books related to D-Day.
Jane Austen’s House (Chawton)
Jane Austen’s House is a small museum in Chawton, a small village near Alton in Hampshire. It is one of the most iconic literary sites in the world, having served as the home of English novelist Jane Austen for the last eight years of her life.
Austen has been on the £10 note since 2017, when she replaced Charles Darwin.
It was in this cottage that Austen wrote and published all six of her globally successful novels. Take a trip back in time to 1816 to discover the rooms where she lived. You’ll get an up-close view of her writing table, jewellery, letters and the first edition of her novels.
You can also explore the gardens outside the cottage and try out different garden games with other visitors.
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (Brockenhurst)
This award-winning museum belongs to British motorcycling legend Sammy Miller MBE. Miller won over 1400 competition events across various disciplines while developing and maintaining various motorcycles.
Miller set up his motorcycle parts business in 1964, where he put some of his old racing motorcycles. This business has grown to be the Motorcycle Museum today.
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum houses a fine collection of fully restored motorcycles, including factory racers and exotic prototypes. The museum is also home to various interesting animals, such as alpacas, goats, chickens, donkeys, ducks, sheep and turkeys.
Hire a spacious 7-seater car from SDVH and explore museums and other attractions in Hampshire with friends and family. We also offer 9-seater car hire for those large group journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Museums In Hampshire?
The best museums in Hampshire are the Mary Rose and Westgate Museums. These museums house various genuine objects and interactive exhibits that provide a deep insight into Britain’s rich history. Other great Hampshire museums include Tudor House, Solent Sky, the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, the Portsmouth Natural History Museum and Allen Gallery on Church Street.
What Are The Best Museums In Southampton?
The best museums in Southampton are Tudor House, Solent Sky and the Southampton Art Gallery. These museums offer great fun and contain various artefacts that tell you about the local history of the city and the whole of the UK. The John Hansard Gallery and the Brickworks are other great museums in Southampton.
Are There Any Museums In Basingstoke?
Yes, there are museums in Basingstoke. The Milestones Museum and Basing House are two of the many great museums in Basingstoke. Milestones Museum features a detailed recreation of the Victorian era, while Basing House contains the ruins of the Tudor house and castle. Basingstoke has other great museums like the Willis Museum and Whitchurch Silk Mill.
What Can You See In The Mary Rose Museum?
You can see thousands of genuine Tudor objects in the Mary Rose Museum. The Mary Rose Museum is a historical museum located at the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth. The museum is shaped like a boat and features items that were recovered from the Mary Rose warship, which sank in 1545 while defending Portsmouth Harbour.
What Is The Solent Sky Museum Famous For?
The Solent Sky Museum is famous for being the largest flying boat museum in operation. The museum houses 19 aircraft, including the Spitfire, an aircraft that the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries used during WWII. It depicts aviation history in Southampton, the Solent region and Hampshire as a whole.
Conclusion
There’s no better place to learn about Hampshire’s local history than its museums. We have carefully put this article together to ensure it contains only the best museums in Hampshire. These museums feature meticulously curated collections, interactive exhibitions and engaging educational programmes that help you learn everything from prehistoric times to the present day. It promises to be a fun experience for people of all ages.
