Top 10 Specialty Museums in Hampshire, England

June 12, 2021 Tambra Mccollister

Discover the best top things to do in Hampshire, United Kingdom including The Mary Rose, The Museum of Military Medicine, Romsey Signal Box, Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum, Solent Sky Museum, Tudor House and Garden, National Museum of the Royal Navy, Jane Austen's House, The D-Day Story.
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1. The Mary Rose

Main Road Portsmouth Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3PY England +44 (0) 23 9281 2931 [email protected] http://www.maryrose.org
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,617 reviews

The Mary Rose

The Mary Rose is home to the Mary Rose and the thousands of artefacts that were recovered from the Solent. Built between 1509 and 1511, The Mary Rose was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a firm favourite of King Henry VIII. After a long and successful career, she sank accidentally during an engagement with the French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of nautical archaeology. After a 34 year conservation project, the Mary Rose is now fully on display within her purpose-built museum. Please note that The Mary Rose is not included in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 11 Attraction Ticket. We currently offer a 10% discount to holders of a valid 11 Attraction Ticket upon its presentation at either our Visitor Centre at the main dockyard entrance (Victory Gate), or at our museum. Tickets purchased before 1st April 2018 will still be accepted until their expiration date.

Reviewed By 910adrianh - Frome, United Kingdom

Have visited this museum twice now and each time have been amazed at the restoration and historical background to life onboard in Tudor times that it provides and demonstrates. Attended a brilliant talk about the threat of French invasion at the time.

2. The Museum of Military Medicine

Keogh Barracks Ash Vale, Aldershot GU12 5RQ England +44 1252 868612 [email protected] http://www.museumofmilitarymedicine.org.uk
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 41 reviews

The Museum of Military Medicine

The museum tells the story of army medicine and healthcare, human and animal, from the English Civil War to the current day as Army Medical Services personnel continue to serve across the globe as part of the British Army.The collections on display include uniforms and insignia, medical, dental and veterinary equipment, ambulances and much more besides. We are also open the first Saturday of each month, 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. Group and special tours can be arranged. Please phone to check.

Reviewed By GreenGetaways - Hampshire, United Kingdom

My partner and I visited this wonderful museum earlier this year for his birthday. It is a real gem because it charts the history of military museum from the ancient Greek and Egyptian civilisations, up to the modern day. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. The only thing that is vaguely disappointing is the obvious lack of visitors. We visited on a Heritage Open Day, so it was slightly busier than usual. The collection itself is very extensive and interesting. We were particularly enthralled by the displays from the First World War, as well as the wooden Birthing Chair – which looks about as comfortable as a park bench!! It is a hidden gem and a must-see for those who are interested in history, medicine, dentistry, nursing the Army and much more!!

3. Romsey Signal Box

Brick Lane, Romsey SO51 8LG England +44 7740 345892 [email protected] http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk
Excellent
91%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 33 reviews

Romsey Signal Box

Romsey Signal Box is a building from around 1865 and a working museum which gives an insight into the life of a railway signalman and railway signalling in general. Visitors of all ages can get a hands on experience by operating points, clearing signals and ringing bells to control a simulation of trains passing through Romsey. As well as the main attraction, the site has a visitor center containing artifacts and photographs and a cafe serving drinks and light refreshments. Disabled access is possible and although the operating floor is step access only we have installed a CCTV link to allow anyone to view the inside of the signal box from the ground floor visitor center.

Reviewed By Sarah_Hampshire69 - Romsey, United Kingdom

This is a fascinating place run by friendly, knowledgeable staff. The demos in the signal box itself were truly enlightening and I felt I properly understood our railway history from these. Well worth a visit, I’d say.

4. Beaulieu National Motor Museum

John Montagu Building, Beaulieu, New Forest National Park Hampshire, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN England +44 1590 612345 [email protected] http://www.beaulieu.co.uk
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,786 reviews

Beaulieu National Motor Museum

In the heart of the glorious New Forest, Beaulieu is one of the South's top visitor attractions. Here you will find the National Motor Museum, home to over 250 vehicles telling the history of motoring. You can also visit Palace House and Gardens, home of the Montagu family since 1538, the remains of Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear where you can see some of the vehicles from Jeremy, James and Richard's most ambitious challenges. Ride on the high level Monorail or climb aboard the replica 1912 open top London bus for a fun way to see Beaulieu's sights.

Reviewed By faceandphilo - London, United Kingdom

A really good day out, with something for everyone from 6 to 66! Different family members enjoyed different parts of the site. The kids especially loved the playground and elevated train, Dad loved Top Gear & Cars from films, Mum loved the Palace, Grandad loved all the cars and motorbikes and Nanny loved the Abbey and gardens!

5. Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum

Swanwick Lane Swanwick, Bursledon, Southampton SO31 7GW England +44 1489 576248 [email protected] http://www.bursledonbrickworks.org.uk
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 182 reviews

Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum

Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum is all set to become one of the key visitor attractions in the South. The only remaining steam driven brickworks in the country we show how brick making made the leap from small scale production to 20 million bricks a year. The fully restored and working machinery helped us to win the coveted Institute of Mechanical Engineering Heritage Award in 2011 and on Open Days we can show it all running as it was when it ceased producing bricks. On site you can see the patented method adopted to dry the bricks and the huge kiln block that was used to fire them ready for collection. The museum has other clay based collections on site and lots of opportunities on offer which makes a visit both enjoyable and educational.

Reviewed By SouthamptonUKAndy22 - Southampton, United Kingdom

Another visit to my local industrial museum which has reopened following COVID lockdown. Felt safe to visit, currently only open on Thursdays. Well worth a visit to get an overview of local brickmaking.

6. Solent Sky Museum

Albert Road South (Near Ocean Village), Southampton SO14 3FR England +44 23 8063 5830 [email protected] http://www.solentskymuseum.org
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 869 reviews

Solent Sky Museum

Solent Sky Museum showcases the history of aviation in Southampton - Spitfire City - and the surrounding Solent area.Geographically this was the most important area in the country, perhaps the world, for aircraft experimental and development work between 1908 and the late 1960s. 26 aircraft companies set up shop in the area, and many of the world’s greatest aircraft, including the legendary Spitfire, first took to the air in the skies over Southampton.We have 18 complete airframes, including a Supermarine Spitfire and Supermarine S6a (N248), and also 4 cockpit sections. We also have a comprehensive collection of aero-engines.Our mighty Sandringham Flying Boat was originally built as a Short Sunderland in 1943, and converted to a passenger aircraft after the war. Visitors are welcome to board the aircraft to sample the luxury of air travel in the romantic era of the great flying boats, and guided tours of the flight deck are also available.Kids (and big kids) can also imagine what it would be like to fly a jet fighter while sat in the cockpits of our Supermarine Swift and Harrier Jump Jet. Our new Schneider Trophy Exhibition is now open, with its record-breaking centrepiece the S6a. Video stock footage of these legendary races and artefacts from the time illustrate the drama and romance of the fastest race in history.

Reviewed By Exploration814927

We visited in the afternoon and were warmly greeted by two volunteers, one of whom gave us a brief introduction to the layout, including the relatively new section which now includes the Hampshire Police and Fire Service Museum exhibits. A volunteer quickly showed my grandson to a couple of jet fighter cockpits to sit in ( including flying helmet ), and he was hooked! We spent the next two hours working our way around, including the magnificent flying boat over which another volunteer gave us a comprehensive and very informative tour. All the volunteers were very interesting and knowledgeable. A wonderful afternoon. We will certainly go again.

7. Tudor House and Garden

Bugle Street St Michael's Square, Southampton SO14 2AD England +44 23 8083 4242 [email protected] http://www.tudorhouseandgarden.com
Excellent
52%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 626 reviews

Tudor House and Garden

Tudor House gives a unique and atmospheric insight into the lives and times of both its residents through the years, and of Southampton itself. It appeals to visitors of all ages and interests, who find the family-friendly activities, interactive technology and fascinating displays a winning combination.

Reviewed By MichaelandKaren

At just £5 this is absolutely amazing value for money! Great audio guide and beautiful gardens. Very well preserved and fascinating video about its recent restoration. Lots of information over several centuries and fab interactive displays that turn 360 degrees.Lovely gift shop and very helpful staff especially on the front desk and knowledgeable room guides. A must see place for anyone visiting Southampton and for all ages.

8. National Museum of the Royal Navy

HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3NH England +44 23 9283 9766 http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/site-attractions/attractions/national-museum-of-the-royal-navy-portsmouth
Excellent
57%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 356 reviews

National Museum of the Royal Navy

Reviewed By PBPG - Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Good value ticket, £31 gets you into everything except the Mary Rose and it’s valid for a year. We saw HMS Warrior, HMS Victory, Boathouse Number 4, had a Harbour tour (saw both HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Elizabeth) and a trip across the water to tour the submarine, HMS Alliance. Even if we never come back that was £31 well spent. The café in Boathouse 7 was a disappointment, poor selection and expensive. Plus they had run out of Earl Grey Tea, That smacks of very poor stock management. Most of the staff were very good, knowledgeable and friendly, with the exception of one lady as you went on board the HMS Victory that didn’t think the weight of metal a warship could fire in a broadside was important! Parking is nearby and reasonably priced, we paid £9 for the day

9. Jane Austen's House

Jane Austens House Winchester Road, Chawton, Alton GU34 1SD England +44 1420 83262 [email protected] http://janeaustens.house/
Excellent
61%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 881 reviews

Jane Austen's House

Step back in time to 1816 and follow in Jane Austen's footsteps. Jane Austen's House in Chawton is the beautiful Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote. It is the most treasured Austen site in the world. It was in this house that Jane's genius flourished and where she wrote, revised and had published all six of her beloved novels, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice.

Reviewed By Coastal193289

Visited as part of Hidden Britain Tours organised by Phil Howe. The full experience included all the places with links to Jane Austen's life in the vicinity, with Phil as our tour guide. Phil is as knowledgeable as he is entertaining, happily sharing the little insights and lesser-known background and connections that fans of Jane Austen welcome ad enjoy. We spent about 7 hours together on this tour, totally enjoyable from start to finish.

10. The D-Day Story

Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth PO5 3NT England +44 23 9288 2555 [email protected] http://www.theddaystory.com
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 946 reviews

The D-Day Story

The D-Day Story tells of the people behind the events of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. It holds over 10,000 items – preserving, researching and acquiring objects to share with the public through exhibitions, workshops and other activities. The museum is fully accredited, meeting nationally agreed standards for UK museums. Following a £5 million transformation project, it has moved from being an military-focused museum to one that tells the personal stories behind the epic day. The museum is also home to the Overlord Embroidery, which tells the story of the operation across 34 hand-stitched panels stretching for a total of 83 metres. The D-Day Story is one of six museums run by Portsmouth Museums, part of Portsmouth City Council. Responsibility for the museums service falls under the remit of the council’s cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Sport.

Reviewed By GeorginaS152 - Windsor, United Kingdom

What a thrill to discover on Trip Adviser the D-Day Story Museum at Portsmouth, but only AFTER our return from the D-Day 75th anniversary cruise aboard CMV’s bijou cruise ship, Marco Polo, with a surprise 24-hour adventure tacked on the end! If we’d only known about this superbly-curated museum in advance, it would have been a ‘must do’. It offers such excellent local background and research, up-to-the minute presentation and, a particular “must-see” the stunning Overlord Embroidery designed by Sandra Lawrence and worked on by 25 embroiderers for four years at the Royal School of Needlework. When we’re back in Portsmouth again in September for a round British Isles cruise on another little ship, Astoria, our top priority is to view the 34 hand-stitched panels of stunning embroidery depicting the story of the D-Day Landings of 1944 at the Museum. The DDay voyage aboard Marco Polo covered a circular route of 880 nautical miles over 7 days and moored at 4 ports thus: Portsmouth -> Antwerp -> Honfleur -> Rouen -> Portsmouth The cruise itinerary was divided between days spent at sea with many on-board activities, and shore days, when passengers were bussed to the nearby D-Day centres of interest thus: 2 June - Marco Polo sailed out of Portsmouth 3 + 4 June in Antwerp with a range of tours to suit all tastes, from small group walking/beer-tasting tours; city tours at Brussels + Ghent + canal trip; an all-day tour of seven and a half hours to Ypres, including a visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery and ending with the moving ceremony of Last Post and Reveille at the Menin Gate Memorial at 8 pm. This famous ceremony has been held each evening without fail since 1926 by volunteers from the local Fire Brigade, except during the German occupation in WWII. 5 June - at Honfleur with tours of the stylish coastal resort of Deauville; the British D-Day beaches and cemeteries at Bayeux; and Ranville cemeteries, and the Pegasus bridge and memorial dedicated to the 6th British Airborne Division, the first liberators who parachuted into Normandy on the night of 5/6 June. 6 June - cruising at sea with talks and films before the poignant service on deck at 11 am, then a sail-by of the D Day beaches before entering the Seine and mooring at Rouen - our final port in France. 6/7 June - Rouen: tours to see Monet’s Garden, a huge tourist attraction but lots of footwork - comfy shoes essential! Or a coach to Paris with a tour and a riverboat ride on the Seine. A long coach tour to the D-Day beaches where the American troops had landed; the vast American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach with the graves of 10,000 American soldiers, killed during the Normandy invasion and subsequent military operations in WWII. All went according to plan until the weather abruptly changed!Tours returning to the ship from Paris, were delayed in heavy traffic. As a result, the ship lost its 8 pm departure slot and eventually sailed out 12 hours later. The good news was that Marco Polo didn’t have to struggle through the Channel in noisy darkness, battered by storm and swell. Instead, departing mid-morning, we sailed briskly in the sunshine through a smoother sea, ‘tho’ quite a few passengers suffered mild sea-sickness. The Captain notified all cabins by letter of the changed arrangements for a revised docking time of 9.30 pm on Saturday in Portsmouth. He told us that if people found the late arrival inconvenient, they were welcome to stay an extra night on board in the same cabin and disembark early on Sunday morning! Drinks packages were extended, we enjoyed the same high quality menus provided with the usual faultless service. The change of arrival time was a sudden shock but the Marco Polo customer care was asseamless and impeccable as ever. We finally disembarked on Sunday morning into a calm and sunny day. What an adventure we’d had, following in the tracks of thousands who’d gone before! The high spot had been the Commemoration service beautifully led by the Cruise Director on deck. He began with an amazing surprise: he read out a beautiful letter just received on board from HM the Queen. Such pride and joy, and not a few tears it created. The muster took some time as all veterans and ex-military had gathered with friends, family and interested observers for whom WWII is an intrinsic part of their own history. Passengers lined the decks above and all blended their own voices with the ship’s company. The most touching moments, which brought many to tears, were when the veterans themselves spoke those words we hear every November after the Last Post has been played followed by the 2 minute silence. A veteran spoke the Exhortation from Laurence Binyon’s “For The Fallen”(1914) “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.” After the wreaths were laid came the Kohima Epitaph, carved on the memorial of the 2nd British Division in the cemetery of Kohima in North-East India. A second veteran repeated it firmly and proudly, so that all could hear: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.” The wreaths were laid - one in the sea because it was bio-degradable, and two in the swimming pool, which were not. When the service ended, the emotion turned from memories to laughter and pride that another remembrance had been achieved. In her Christmas Day speech last year, HM the Queen said: “We cannot grieve if we did not love.” So true! The abiding feeling after a solemn, thought-provoking service like this one is that of a job well done, a life well-lived, whether brief or long, people remembered with honour, respect and - above all - love. The D-Day story again well told, both on board ship and at the wonderful D-Day Museum, Portsmouth.

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