Places to Visit in Hampshire 

Beaulieu offers a complete day out for all interests, with a National Motor Museum, Palace House and Abbey to visit. The National Motor Museum houses 250 varieties of vehicle. The 14th century family owned Palace is still lived in by the present Lord Montagu and house various family treasures, and the ancient Abbey was founded in 1204.

Magnificent manor house built in the 16th century and a family home to this day.  The house is set in large parkland overlooking the Avon Valley on the edge of the New Forest.  A collection of paintings, furniture, needlework and porcelain is on display to visitors in the house, and the museum shows what life was like in the village with a replica of a farm worker’s cottage, blacksmith’s shop, dairy, brewery, saddler’s and cobbler’s shop, and steam powered farm machinery.

Founded in the 14th century by Bishop William of Wykeham and Chancellor to Richard III, he also founded New College, Oxford.  Winchester College is thought to be the oldest continuously running school in England, with many original features still in place.  The original building has been added to and what you see today represents over six centuries of continuous development.   Guided tours lasting an hour run daily, unless otherwise stated.  The tours focus on the medieval heart of the college and include the Chamber Court, the 14th century Gothic Chapel, College Hall and the School, with views of paintings, sculpture, stained glass and tapestries.

The Hospital of St Cross is a medieval building dating back to 1132 when it was founded to support thirteen poor men, and to feed 100 men at the gates each day.  The thirteen men became the Brothers of St Cross and over 20 Brothers still reside at the Hospital today.   For over 850 years the Hospital has provided food and shelter to people in need. In terms of St Cross, the word “hospital” has the same origin as “hospitality”.  The Hospital is the oldest continuing almshouse in England, with a group of grade 1 listed medieval and Tudor buildings.

The 13th century Great Hall is the only surviving part of Winchester Castle, which was once a fine hall, centre of court and government life.  In the 17th century Oliver Cromwell ordered he demolition of the Castle, but the Great Hall was kept as a venue for assemblies and county assizes.  King Arthur’s Round Table has hung in the Hall for 700 years, although it is now thought the table was built during the 14th century and repainted the 18th century.

Portsmouth Dockyard combines history with our modern Royal Navy. On view are historic ships that have shaped British history, museums and exhibitions.  Alternatively, jump on board for a harbour tour lasting 45 minutes, and view from the water the Destroyers, Frigates and Mine Sweepers moored in the harbour.

26th-28th November - A Victorian Festival of Christmas now in its 11th year. A Victorian Father Christmas, complete in green dress, will be giving gifts from his grotto aboard HMS Warrior 1860. Roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, carol singers, costumed characters and performances will help bring the bygone Victorian era alive. Bazaar of arts, crafts, festive food and drink at Christmas shopping market.

4th December - Christmas Wreath Workshop 1.30pm - 4.30pm. Work with a professional florist to create a beautiful nautical wreath for your home or to give as a gift.  Booking essential.

18th December - 3rd January - Hunt The Slipper, Family Trail on board HMS Warrior 1860'

Southsea Castle was part of a series of fortifications built in 1544 by Henry VIII, to protect the country from invaders.  The Castle has since had many uses including a military prison.  In the 19th century a lighthouse was built and is still used today by shipping.

Museum tracing the story of Portsmouth, looking at how life has changed over the centuries, with a reconstruction of a 17th century bedchamber, 19th century dockyard worker’s kitchen, a Victorian parlour and a 1930s kitchen.  Regular exhibitions are held at the museum.

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum is the house where the famous writer was born, and is now decorated in the style of 1809.  Charles Dickens only lived in Portsmouth for the first three years of his life, but returned three times.

The D-Day Museum was opened in 1984 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of D-Day, and then extended in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary.  The highlight of the museum is the Overload Embroidery commissioned as a tribute to those who took part in Operation Overload, and measures 272ft. 

Museum tracing the history of the Royal Marines, from inception in 1664 to present day.  Housed in one of the most stately Officer’s Messes, which was built in the 19th century and has magnificent ceilings, paintings and a grand staircase.  Interactive displays, medal collections and the Royal Marines band room with a collection of instruments can be found at the museum, and the grounds also display historical objects.

The Royal Navy Submarine museum gives visitors the opportunity to get onboard a submarine and see what the cramped conditions are like, and traces the history of the submarine from its beginning to present day.  HMS Alliance was commissioned in 1947 and many of ex-submariners who guide visitors around the boat served on this class of boat. Film shows, interactive displays and the opportunity to see Portsmouth Harbour through a periscope.

Museum tracing the history of naval warfare from the Battle of Trafalgar to the Gulf War; from gunpowder to modern missiles.  There is a collection of small arms, cannon, guns, shells, munitions, mines, torpedoes and  missiles. There is also an atom bomb. Hands on exhibition with interactive displays.

The City museum tells the story of Winchester from the time of being a major Roman City to today, with reconstructed Victorian and Edwardian shops, important works of art and craft, mosaics and jewellery from the Roman period, hands on activities and quizzes for children. 

The Westgate is a fortified medieval gateway and one of two surviving city gates. Inside there is a Tudor painted wooden ceiling and walls covered in graffiti dating back to the 17th century when for 150 years the gateway was a debtors’ prison.  A unique collection of weights and measures, as well as armour and a gibbet are on display. 

The Mid-Hants railway operates the Watercress Railway Line across ten miles of scenic Hampshire countryside. As well as general rail journies, dining carriages run at certain times of years offering silver service dining. For the younger enthusiasts, Thomas the Tank and friends will be visiting for rides, races and entertainment at selected dates throughout 2008.