Hampshire - 82 Attractions You Must Visit

The Royal Armouries is Britain's oldest national museum and was all originally in the Tower of London. It now occupies Fort Nelson, The Tower of London, Leeds Royal Armouries Museum and a permanent display at Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Over 700 items of artillery from many countries and spanning 600 years are brought to life whilst sensitively telling the unique stories behind them.

The Royal Victoria Country Park is a country park in Netley, Hampshire, England, by the shores of Southampton Water. It comprises 200 acres of mature woodland and grassy parkland, as well as a small shingle beach. The park’s ancient woodlands, large open spaces, boardwalks, and ponds offer something for everyone. There are a number of picnic areas throughout the site and family BBQ areas can be hired.

Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum houses one of the finest collections of fully restored motorcycles in the world, including factory racers and exotic prototypes, with the collection constantly evolving as new bikes are acquired. It houses some 300 machines including motorcycles and 3-wheeled vehicles and is affiliated to the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is world famous for its arboretum and gardens – set over 180 acres of rolling Hampshire countryside; this garden is stunning whatever the season. The Gardens are a wonderful place for children to play and explore. Experience nature at its finest whilst exploring the 180 acres of gardens, wildlife and play areas for children. Run as a charity its aim is to conserve, develop and exhibit these world-renowned Gardens and plant collection.

The 60 miles long Solent Way is one of the most picturesque walks in Hampshire, taking in views of the Hampshire countryside, Solent and Isle of Wight. The path is generally way marked with a picture of a sea bird on a green background although the path also forms part of the European Coastal Path (E9) and some signs show this path too, or the name Solent Coast Path.

Barbe is both a dynamic local museum and a highly regarded art gallery that appeals to both locals and New Forest visitors. It shows the history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast, inspired by local pride, and supported by the local community, its collections and colorful, hands-on displays offer a fascinating insight into the area for all ages.

St Catherine's Hill is a remnant of traditional downland, once widespread along the South Downs, but now rare. This 58 hectare flower-rich chalk grassland nature reserve is home to some stunning wild flowers, and over 25 different species of butterflies including the marbled white, chalkhill blue and brown argus. The top of the hill is ringed by the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort. It is one of the iconic attractions in this area.

Staunton Country Park is a listed Regency landscaped parkland and forest encompassing approximately 1,000 acres in Hampshire, England. An ornamental farm, ornamental lake, follies, maze, walled garden, and glasshouses can be found within it. Entry to the parkland itself is free, however, there is an associated visitor center, with animals and attractions, which is not free.

The Brickworks Museum is a volunteer-run museum based in Swanwick, Hampshire, England. It is thought to be the last Victorian steam-driven brickworks left in the UK. It’s a really hands-on museum with lots of interactive things for kids to do. You can see bricks being made and even have a try yourselves.

The Gurkha Museum located in Peninsula Barracks in Winchester will takes you on a journey through Gurkha history, beginning with their origins in Nepal and the moment in 1815 when Gurkhas were first enlisted to fight for Britain. Besides tableaux, dioramas, showcases and panels, it has visual and voice descriptions of the history of Gurkha Regiments, recruiting of soldiers in Nepal as well as the culture of the Gurkha in his homeland.

The New Forest became a national park in 2005 and was once a royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror.It covers an area of 566 square kilometres and is made up of vast tracts of unspoilt woodland, heathland and river valleys. Today deer, ponies and cattle continue to roam free in its ancient heaths and woodland. Clear rivers and shady groves provide tranquillity and a car-free haven for walking, cycling and horse riding.

The Royal Green Jackets Museum is located in Winchester, Hampshire showcasing an outstanding collection of uniforms, weapons, medals and much more. It tells the history of three famous Regiments, The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps and The Rifle Brigade that came together in 1966 to form The Royal Green Jackets.

The ruins of 13th-century Titchfield Abbey, the last monastery of Premonstratensian canons to be founded in England, lie in the valley of the River Meon in south Hampshire. The extensive ruins of the 13th-century abbey are dwarfed by an imposing Tudor gatehouse built from the nave of the abbey church. The remains were purchased by the government in the early twentieth century and are now a Scheduled Ancient Monument under the care of English Heritage.

Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve is a wetland nature reserve with a rich habitat of rivers, marshlands, and scrapes. It is excellent for birdwatching and attracts many people hoping to spot a rare species. The reserve is managed primarily for birds but it also has rare flora including rarities such as slender bird's-foot-trefoil, frogbit, and marshmallow. One of the iconic attraction which shows the importance of the conservation of nature.

Westbury Manor Museum is the main town center museum located at 84 West Street, Fareham, Hampshire, England. It features a variety of exhibits on local histories, such as the use of Fareham red bricks in the construction of the Royal Albert Hall. explore Westbury Manor Museum to find out about the borough's origins as a Stone Age settlement, the infamous workhouse scandal of 1837, its long traditions of brickmaking and strawberry production, and much more.

Whitchurch Silk Mill is a 19th-century water mill that weaves English silk fabrics using 19th century machinery. is the oldest silk mill still weaving silk in its original building. It includes the original mill wheel and Victorian machinery, fabulous fabrics on the looms, a shop to indulge in silk products from the Mill, plus a peaceful setting by the River Test, with a café for light lunches and refreshments.

Willis Museum has been housed in this impressive early Victorian building that was once Basingstoke's Town Hall. The building served as a corn exchange and market hall and dances were held in the room upstairs. It was also the headquarters of the Council of the Borough of Basingstoke until the borough was abolished by the Local Government Act 1972 in 1974.

Winchester Cathedral is a medieval Anglican church in Winchester, Hampshire. once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, this magnificent Cathedral is the resting place of Saxon royalty, bishops and Jane Austen, the much-loved English. The cathedral has the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe. By contrast, the interior height of the nave vault at 78 feet is about half that of Beauvais Cathedral in France.

Winchester, City Museum tells the story of England’s ancient capital, the seat of Alfred the Great. From its origins as an Iron Age trading centre to Anglo Saxon glory, the last journey of Jane Austen to the hunt for King Alfred’s remains, explore the sights and sounds of Winchester past and present in the museum’s three galleries.