South Hampshire

Museums & Galleries

Art Galleries & Museums

ROYAL ARMOURIES FORT NELSON

Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN
Tel: 01329 233734 or 01329 848525
E-mail: fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk
Web: www.royalarmouries.org

From large-scale historical battle re-enactments, to hands-on children's activities there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy at Fort Nelson, a fully restored Victorian Artillery Fort, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour.

BUTSER ANCIENT FARM

Chalton Lane, Chalton, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 0BG
Tel: 023 9259 8838
Web: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk  

The earthworks, the roundhouses, the Roman villa, the fences and fields, the iron age crops and livestock are all part of the open-air laboratory which continues to add a new dimension to world archaeology. Butser Ancient Farm runs the largest prehistoric crop trial programme in Europe, keeps rare breed cattle, sheep, goat and fowl, and most impressively the largest roundhouse ever rebuilt. The ancient farm provides a unique opportunity to not only understand be involved with experimental archaeology, but also to experience and savour the everyday lives of the Celts and Romans. In addition to walking around the buildings, the crop fields and animal paddocks, visitors are encouraged to try their hand at any of the activities that may be going on, such as spinning, making clay pots, grinding corn, and feeding the livestock.

For further details on Butser Ancient Farm near Waterlooville, Hampshire see our website.

CHARLES DICKENS BIRTHPLACE

393 Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 4QL
Tel: 023 9282 7261     Fax: 023 9287 5276
E-mail: david.evans@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Web: www.charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk

The famous Victorian writer Charles Dickens, was born in this modest house in 1812 during the time of the Napoleonic Wars. The house has miraculously survived and is now preserved as a museum dedicated to the life of this important literary figure. It is furnished in the style of 1809 which is when his parents set up the first home of their married life there.

D-DAY MUSEUM and Overlord Embroidery

Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Hants. PO5 3NT
Tel: 023 9282 7261     Fax: 023 9287 5276
E-mail: david.evans@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Web: www.ddaymuseum.co.uk

The D-Day Museum was opened in 1984 to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of D-Day.

Visit to Normandy by King George VI Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower, General Montgomery and Field Marshal Brooke.

Its centrepiece is the magnificent Overlord Embroidery commissioned as a tribute to the sacrifice and heroism of those men and women who took part in Operation Overlord. The embroidery measures 272 feet and is the largest work of its kind in the world. In the Museum's other displays, visitors experience the sights and sounds of Britain at War - the air raid warden's living room in the Blitz, the factory resounding to the strains of 'Music while you work', and troops preparing for D-Day in their forest camp. The climax of the displays is a dawn to dusk reconstruction of the Allied landings by sea and air on D-Day itself - World War II's 'longest day'.

PORTSMOUTH NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Cumberland House, Eastern Parade, Southsea, PO4 9RF
Tel: 023 9282 7261     Fax: 023 9287 5276
E-mail: david.evans@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Web: www.portsmouthnaturalhistory.co.uk

Portsmouth is a very special place for wildlife in Britain, it has many different habitats in a very small area and at Portsmouth Natural History Museum you can explore them all. The museum tells the story of the wild things of the riverbank, marshes, woods and urban areas of Portsmouth. Have a look for the heron stalking its prey and the Brent geese coming into land after their 3000 km flight from the arctic.

You can also learn about Portsmouth's geology and take a look at the Victorian Museum exhibition. The displays are designed to allow visitors a view of the natural world as they could never see it in real life - up close and in depth. Portsmouth Natural History Museum also houses an aquarium and butterfly house. Although the butterflies only fly in the summer, during the winter you can hunt for caterpillars under the leaves and spot the mirror carp among the weeds.

Entrance to the Natural History Museum is now FREE

PORTSMOUTH CITY MUSEUM & Records Office

Museum Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LJ
Tel: 023 9282 7261     Fax: 023 9287 5276
E-mail: david.evans@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Web:  www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk

Discover how life at home has changed over the centuries in the 'Living in Portsmouth' Gallery which looks at life in the home with the reconstruction of a 17th century bedchamber, an 1871 dockyard worker's kitchen, a Victorian parlour, a 1930s kitchen and a 1950s living room.

The story continues with 'Portsmouth at Play' on the beach, in the cinema, on the football field and dance floor. There is also a fine and Decorative Art Gallery, which features a wide range of material from the 17th century to the present day; the Portsmouth Picture Gallery with its extensive and important collection of local paintings, prints and drawings, and the Temporary Exhibition Gallery where a regularly changing programme ensures that there is always something to see or do.

The Records Office is housed in the same building as Portsmouth City Museum. It holds the official records of Portsmouth City Council which survive from the 14th century; local Anglican and Non-Conformist church registers and records from 16th century; large collections of material deposited by local businesses, families and other organisations as well as thousands of local maps and plans, photographs and picture postcards, all of which can be consulted in the first-floor public Search Room.

ROYAL MARINES MUSEUM

Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9PX
Tel: 02392 819385
E-mail: info@royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk
Web: www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk

For a fantastic family day out why not visit the Royal Marines Museum where you can discover the exciting story of the Royal Marines brought to life with dramatic and interactive displays. The museum is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of medals in the world.

Don't forget to browse the impressive range of gifts and souvenirs in our gift shop.

For further information on this museum in Southsea, Hampshire see our website.