Find the nearest History & Heritage in Hampshire

Best known for its fine gardens, Hinton Ampner is an elegant country house with an outstanding collection of furniture, paintings and objets d’art.

Hurst Castle, artillery fortresses built by Henry VIII at the entrance to the Solent. Used as a prison in the 17th-century and later strengthened during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Royal Garrison Church, or Domus Dei (Hospital of Saint Nicholas) was an almshouse and hospice established in 1212 by Pierre des Roches, Bishop of Winchester.

Clanfield is an historic village well worth a visit. One of the main attractions of the villages is the church of St James that dates back to 1305 and contains to medieval bells. The villages is bordered by the South Downs National Park and is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty full of walks and places to picnic and just enjoy the outdoors. There are few residents but Old Clanfield boasts more take aways than other similar sized communities! It also has a great skatepark and childrens play area and is frequented by walkers all year round. Visitors love the thatched well and the pond and stop in one of the three pubs on their way back from their walks to enjoy Sunday lunch or a pint. Those keen on star gazing make use of the Clanfield Observatory which is run by the Hampshire Astronomical Group who have open days. It is up high on a hill on the South coast of England and is well equipped and has a full programme of open evenings throughout the year.

Bishop’s Waltham Palace, Medieval palace used by the Bishops and senior clergy of Winchester as they traveled through their diocese.

Fort Brockhurst, One of a number of forts built in the 1850s and 1860s to protect Portsmouth and its vital harbour against a French invasion.

Stansted Park is a wonderful day out for the family. Lying on the Hampshire coast this delightful stately home welcome all visitors to explore the house and gardens, take tea and shop in the wonderful grounds. Cricket has been played on the lawns here since 1740 and they host exciting events for all to enjoy from music evenings to weddings and conferences. The estate all started as a hunting lodge in the forest over 800 years ago and the mansions was built after a fire in the 1900’s.  The estate is the home of the Earls of Bessborough and it’s evident it is a warm family environment that reflects their lifetimes from the upstairs to the downstairs!  You will enjoy exploring the well kept grounds and house, visit the maze and the chapel and participate in crafts at the workshops in the pottery. Check the website for opening times as they are varied.Parking Disabled access Guide dogs only

Submarine Museaum in Portsmouth has everything you need for an adventure! This museum is all about submarines and they take you back in time to Alexander the Great and other ancient heroes who thought about winning wars through underwater approaches! You can even go onboard a WWII submarine and find out what it was like leagues under the sea and in battle. Take a look inside the tiny X-craft, a miniature sub that saw action during D-Day in 1944! The History Galleries allow to travel back to 1620 when the first submersible was tested right up to today’s huge submarines. There is good coffee and cake at the coffee shop overlooking the Portsmouth Harbour and the museum is open from 10am and an adult costs £12.50 and a child from aged 5, just £9!Parking Toilets Disabled access Child friendly Cafe Shop

Southsea Castle, has also been known under the names of Chaderton Castle, South Castle and Portsea Castle, is an artillery fort originally constructed by Henry VIII on Portsea Island in 1544.

Portchester Castle’s commanding location as the Solent’s defences for hundreds of years. Originally built in the late 3rd century. Covering an area of nearly ten acres, it is the only Roman stronghold in northern Europe whose walls still mainly stand to their full 6 metre height, complete with most of their originally twenty towers.

HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, ordered in 1758, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. She is best known for her role as Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.