Historic attractions and museums in the south of England
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England has a varied and unique history with plenty to be explored as you traverse the decades. The south of England is peppered with interesting museums and attractions, full of information and titbits that you may not have known before. Here are some places you simply must visit.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
If naval history is a passion of yours, then the historic dockyard area of Portsmouth should be on your list to visit.
Currently, there is a 4D immersive experience at the Mary Rose Museum which details the experience that divers from 1545 through to the recent discovery went through to recover the ship. This 4D extravaganza allows you to experience every feeling, thought and emotion these divers went through and the eventual recovery of the ship into The Solent.
If you are looking to avoid the drive, then public transportation is great in and around Portsmouth. Portsmouth is an easily accessible city by train, with regular services in and out to other major cities. Why not make a day trip of it or even a long weekend?
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge
For the aeroplane and motorsport enthusiasts among you, Brooklands Museum will be the perfect day out. Located in Surrey, this attraction boasts the world’s first racing track so there is plenty of record-breaking exhibits to see.
Brooklands is also home to Concorde. You can book the Concorde Experience Tour and sit in those famous seats as you imagine what flying would have been like in this iconic aircraft. Every passenger will even get a complimentary Concorde boarding pass so you can remember your day.
Hollycombe Steam Museum
Steam power is the foundation of many modern-day machines, so being able to see it come to life is a treat. Hollycombe Steam Museum in the South Downs National Park is Britain’s biggest collection of working steam machines.
Not only is there a wide range of steam railways, but for kids and the young at heart there is a spectacular fairground to enjoy. All of this is set in some beautiful woodland gardens so there is plenty of space to run around and enjoy yourself.
Chiltern Open Air Museum
With a mission to preserve buildings, Chiltern Open Air Museum truly spans a vast period of history. On-site is a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse, Medieval and Tudor barns, Victorian buildings and a 1940s prefab house. So whatever area of history you are interested in, you will find something to marvel at.
Not only does this museum host buildings, but it also has some beautiful gardens for you to wander through. From a pretty cottage garden to an allotment styled as it would have been in the 1940s, you can while away the hours looking at the beauty. There are also orchards for you to explore and the surrounding woodlands are home to a carpet of bluebells in the spring.
Photo by Jonathan Hunt on Unsplash
