What to do and see in Hampshire, England: The Best Military Museums

December 15, 2021 Jasper Kershner

Discover the best top things to do in Hampshire, United Kingdom including WW1 Remembrance Centre, The Museum of Military Medicine, Solent Sky Museum, Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Hurst Castle, Royal Victoria Chapel, The Gurkha Museum, HorsePower: The Museum of The King's Royal Hussars, The Rifles Museum, The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum.
Restaurants in Hampshire

1. WW1 Remembrance Centre

Airport Service Road Bastion 6, Portsmouth PO3 5PJ England +44 23 9279 8751 [email protected] http://ww1remembrancecentre.uk
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 55 reviews

WW1 Remembrance Centre

The WW1 Remembrance Centre has now moved to it's new home Bastion 6 which is at the end of the road past Hilsea Train Station & the car parks of BAE Systems

Reviewed By Motte-and-Bailey - London, United Kingdom

A hidden gem and a great place to visit. I didn't know there was so many interesting artefacts and historical information. The staff/people are very polite and knowledgable. It's lot bigger than you think so if you go allow an hour or so to go around the centre.

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
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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. 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
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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.

4. Royal Navy Submarine Museum

Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport PO12 2AS England +44 23 9283 9766 [email protected] http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 897 reviews

Royal Navy Submarine Museum

Reviewed By I5173IMsimons

My wife and I were lucky enough to get an annual pass to the Portsmouth dock yard museum and decided to visit the submarine museum. We were given a tour of HMS Alliance, which we both thoroughly enjoyed and it was my first time inside a submarine, which I found fascinating, informative and I felt privileged to see how submariners live at sea to guard our nation. We had a nice coffee from the dockside cafe and were directed to a warm room to have it, after which we went into the display to see the well restored submarine Holland 1 and then into the larger museum to view many other exhibits and including the X 24, a must see. An extremely well laid out and fascinating insight, into our submarine history, thanks to all who made our day such an enjoyable one.

5. Hurst Castle

Saltgrass Lane, New Forest National Park Hampshire, Lymington SO41 0TP England +44 1590 642500 [email protected] http://www.hurstcastle.co.uk
Excellent
46%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,314 reviews

Hurst Castle

Located within the New Forest National Park, Hurst Castle is situated on the seaward end of the shingle spit that extends 1.5 miles from Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire. Built by Henry VIII as a chain of fortresses to protect the Solent in 1544, this is the site where Charles I was imprisoned in 1648 before being taken to his trial and execution in London. The castle was modernised during the Napoleonic wars and again in the 1870s when the enormous armoured wings were added, making it the largest coastal fort in the world. Two of the huge 38-ton guns installed in the 1870s can be viewed in their casemates together with other weapons developed through 412 years of military use. During World War II, Hurst was manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights. You can get to Hurst Castle by ferry from Keyhaven Quay (sat nav postcode: SO41 0TP) or you can walk along the shingle Hurst Spit. The castle is currently closed, however refreshments are available from outside the castle.

Reviewed By LondonConyers - London, United Kingdom

Our visit to Hurst Castle was definitely a highlight of our trip to the New Forest, probably second only to a particularly great tree at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. We had a very enjoyable mooch around (tudor castle to the left, tea room to the right) learning about the history (built by Henry VIII, King Charles I was a prisoner there) and enjoying the views from the top. Room 8 is definitely worth a visit. Excellent lighting.

6. Royal Victoria Chapel

Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley SO31 5GA England +44 23 8060 5102 [email protected] http://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/rvchapel
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Royal Victoria Chapel

Following a National Lottery Heritage Fund restoration and conservation project, the Chapel has been restored to its original beauty and includes a new exhibition that is FREE to enter. The Chapel was once the centre of the vast Royal Victoria Military Hospital, which served the soldiers of the commonwealth from 1863 until 1966. Visitors can also climb the 150 ft tower and take in the amazing 360 degree views for a small admission charge, find out about the stories of people who worked here and the patients who were treated at the former military hospital, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery in our new Chapel refreshments area.

Reviewed By nigelbarbs08 - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom

We were visiting friends in Southampton and taken to Victoria Park. After a short walk to watch the ferries and boats we visited the Royal Victoria Chapel, once part of the huge wartime hospital with a link to Queen Victoria. We thoroughly enjoyed the museum with all the exhibits and we were lucky to have Dave Keeting on duty. He was very interesting and related lots of extra stories. Thank you Dave. We even had Dave serving us with a cuppa in the cafe attached. A lovely morning. Nigel and Barbara , Suffolk

7. The Gurkha Museum

Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road Romsey Road, Winchester SO23 8TP England +44 1962 842832 http://www.thegurkhamuseum.co.uk/
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 167 reviews

The Gurkha Museum

Reviewed By foxylady2014 - West Sussex, United Kingdom

small museum but packed with artefacts and weapons used by the Gurkhas in the various wars they have been in with us. Lots of medals on display and re-enactments for battles

8. HorsePower: The Museum of The King's Royal Hussars

Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road Peninsula Barracks, Winchester SO23 8TS England +44 1962 828541 [email protected] http://horsepowermuseum.co.uk/
Excellent
59%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

HorsePower: The Museum of The King's Royal Hussars

9. The Rifles Museum

Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road Romsey Road, Winchester SO23 8TS England +44 1962 828505 [email protected] http://riflesmuseum.co.uk
Excellent
54%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

The Rifles Museum

One of Winchester's six superb Military Museums telling the story of The Rifles since 2007 with personal unique accounts alongside uniform, weapons and much more. The highlight of the collection is a Taliban motorbike, the only one on display outside of London. The museum is situated in Peninsula Square, formerly the barracks and the home of the Rifle Depot.

Reviewed By Piethief - Sanderstead, United Kingdom

COVID precautions had been taken, friendly staff. We loved the lighted diorama of the Battle of Waterloo. All of the cases were well marked so you could lead yourself about and find things out without the need for a book or tour guide. There were things that young kids could do too. It certainly makes you think about the realities of war - a lot of periods of history and different wars and artifacts were on display. If you are interested in history (even just a little bit) you will find this an interesting place. We were there at least an hour and a half.

10. The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road Peninsula Barracks, Winchester SO23 8TS England +44 1962 828549 [email protected] http://www.rgjmuseum.co.uk/
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 278 reviews

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

One of Winchester's six superb Military Museums telling the story of 250 years of campaigning for peace by The Royal Green Jackets and their former regiments, the 43rd and 52nd (The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), the 60th (The King's Royal Rifle Corps) and the 95th Rifles (The Rifle Brigade). An outstanding collection of uniforms, weapons, silver, paintings and medals set over two floors. The exhibition on the first floor, entitled 'With the Rifles to Waterloo', opened in 2015 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The centrepiece of the exhibition is the 25 square metre model of the battle with light and sound commentary. The Museum is situated in Peninsula Square, formerly the barracks and the home of the Rifle Depot. The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum shares the building with The Rifles Regimental Museum.

Reviewed By Pepsmum72

On our day in Winchester, I had to visit the Royal Green Jackets Museum as my Dad was a Marksman in the 60’s. Such a wealth of information about the Rifles throughout time. The Waterloo diorama was amazing. I’d definitely recommend a visit here

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