Top 10 Museums in New Forest National Park Hampshire, England

In the heart of the glorious New Forest, Beaulieu is one of the South's top visitor attractions. Here you will find the National Motor Museum, home to over 250 vehicles telling the history of motoring. You can also visit Palace House and Gardens, home of the Montagu family since 1538, the remains of Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear where you can see some of the vehicles from Jeremy, James and Richard's most ambitious challenges. Ride on the high level Monorail or climb aboard the replica 1912 open top London bus for a fun way to see Beaulieu's sights.

Located within the New Forest National Park, Hurst Castle is situated on the seaward end of the shingle spit that extends 1.5 miles from Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire. Built by Henry VIII as a chain of fortresses to protect the Solent in 1544, this is the site where Charles I was imprisoned in 1648 before being taken to his trial and execution in London. The castle was modernised during the Napoleonic wars and again in the 1870s when the enormous armoured wings were added, making it the largest coastal fort in the world. Two of the huge 38-ton guns installed in the 1870s can be viewed in their casemates together with other weapons developed through 412 years of military use. During World War II, Hurst was manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights. You can get to Hurst Castle by ferry from Keyhaven Quay (sat nav postcode: SO41 0TP) or you can walk along the shingle Hurst Spit. The castle is currently closed, however refreshments are available from outside the castle.

Sammy Miller MBE is a motorcycling legend, 11 times British Champion, winner of over 1400 events and still winning competitions more than 50 years after his first victory. The 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. There are over 400 rare and classic motorcycles on display in four galleries - one of which showcases the fabulous Norton Collection. The museum is set within an attractive courtyard, with tea rooms, craft shops and children's play area. It is also home to many chickens, donkeys, goats, alpacas and two aviaries.

Robert Perera Fine Art Gallery in Lymington is one of the leading South Coast Galleries and shows work by New Forest and nationally know artists, both contemporary and antique. You may have seen the galley on BBC's Flog-It!. We have on show works by two of the top New Forest artists, Barry Peckam RI and Robert King RSMA, showing scenes of the New Forest and the Solent including Lymington marshes, Keyhaven, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Beaulieu, Yarmouth, Cowes, Hurst Castle and the Needles. We also show Royal Academy artists including Terry Frost RA, Tracey Emin RA, Sir Peter Blake RA, Hamilton Fraser RA and Dame Elisabeth Frink RA. On the period side we are specialist dealers in the work of marine artist William Lionel Wyllie RA b.1851 and perhaps have the largest collection of his etchings for sale in the world! His work includes views of the Thames, yachting in the Solent and HMS Victory in Portsmouth to name a few. We also have a varied collection of Modern British paintings and interesting prints including rare Grosvenor school linocuts. The collection is rounded off with Isle of Wight studio glass, Hoselton aluminium sailboats, Fine Art greetings cards and bespoke framing.

The museum in the New Forest Heritage Centre is packed full of displays and activities about the New Forest. The Impressions of the New Forest National Park film show welcomes you to the New Forest Museum and sets the scene for your visit. Discover why ponies are kept on the Forest and why we shouldn't feed them! See the Beaulieu Road pony sales yard display and soak up the atmosphere of the sales yard by listening to the sounds of a typical trading day. Visit our Family Fun Tree! There's something here for all ages and you'll find out more about how to enjoy your time in the Forest. The New Forest Heritage Centre is owned and run by the registered charity New Forest Heritage Trust.

Situated in the heart of the New Forest National Park, our bright and welcoming gallery offers the best in British contemporary art. We specialise in vibrant pieces to suit all tastes and budgets. As well as original work we offer, ceramics, sculpture, limited edition prints and unique gift items all carefully selected from independent British makers.

Built in 1727, Ringwood Meeting House is one of the best surviving 18th century Presbyterian meeting houses in the country. We're not just a meeting house and history centre - the layout and acoustics of the unique Grade II* listed building naturally lends itself to a variety of activities. You can carry out research in our extensive archives of Ringwood's history or browse our exhibitions.

Friends of the New Forest Airfields (Registered Charity No. 1063648) - Protecting and Preserving Our Local Aviation Heritage. We are the Only Heritage Centre Museum dedicated to preserving the history of the twelve New Forest Airfields in WWII. The Museum will open from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays in 2020 from March to October (dates will be published on the website in January). Bespoke visits can be arranged for groups of 12 or more adults, in the interim. Light Refreshments are available. The Centre contains aircraft and airfield artifacts, a large collection of model aircraft, individual pilots' stories and photographs, a gallery of signed fine art aircraft prints, RAF uniforms and clothing, a souvenir and model kit shop and an extensive military library. Our Mission is: To inform and educate the people of Hampshire, Dorset and our visitors about the local aviation heritage, through Museum exhibits and an outreach program of presentations to local schools and other interested groups.