What to do and see in Winchester, England: The Best Museums

One of Winchester's six superb Military Museums telling the story of The Rifles since 2007 with personal unique accounts alongside uniform, weapons and much more. The highlight of the collection is a Taliban motorbike, the only one on display outside of London. The museum is situated in Peninsula Square, formerly the barracks and the home of the Rifle Depot.

One of Winchester's six superb Military Museums telling the story of 250 years of campaigning for peace by The Royal Green Jackets and their former regiments, the 43rd and 52nd (The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), the 60th (The King's Royal Rifle Corps) and the 95th Rifles (The Rifle Brigade). An outstanding collection of uniforms, weapons, silver, paintings and medals set over two floors. The exhibition on the first floor, entitled 'With the Rifles to Waterloo', opened in 2015 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The centrepiece of the exhibition is the 25 square metre model of the battle with light and sound commentary. The Museum is situated in Peninsula Square, formerly the barracks and the home of the Rifle Depot. The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum shares the building with The Rifles Regimental Museum.

Located at the top of the High Street in the historic city of Winchester, Westgate Museum is housed inside a surviving fortified medieval city gateway. The museum tells the story of this remarkable building, and the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. It also offers great rooftop city views. A debtors’ prison for 150 years, this beautifully refurbished listed monument is the last of the main medieval gates into the city. Today, Westgate Museum’s displays include a famous collection of pre-imperial weights and measures and a fine painted ceiling made for Winchester College in anticipation of a visit by Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain on the occasion of their marriage in Winchester in 1554. There are plenty of hands-on activities to enjoy during your visit. Try on a replica coat of armour and Tudor costumes and pose for a photograph! Make a brass rubbing to take away and have a go at the Westgate spotter trail. Throughout the year, we run a programme of family friendly activities.

Located in the heart of the historic city of 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.

Peninsula Barracks in Winchester is home to six different regimental museums situated just yards from each other on an historic site. The six museums are: The Guardroom Museum, the Museum of the Adjutant-General's Corp The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum The Rifles Collection - Regimental Museum of the Rifles The Museum of the King's Royal Hussars The Gurkha Museum The Royal Hampshire Regimental Museum Each museum offers a unique experience with fascinating stories told through diverse collections of medals, uniforms and military objects. There is also a Visitor Centre and onsite cafe; Copper Joe's.

Regimental Museum, displaying and celebrating the history and heritage of Hampshire's County Regiment from its foundation in 1702 until its amalgamation into the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in 1992.

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is a self-funded, educational charity dedicated to sparking curiosity and building science capital for all. It is an important regional hub for informal science learning and a popular visitor attraction for families, schools and the general public. Featuring two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits, the UK’s largest standalone planetarium and an exciting events programme. The Science Centre is situated just outside of the historic city of Winchester in the South Downs National Park. Visitors can enjoy direct access to Magdalen Hill Down, the neighbouring Butterfly Conservation reserve, and make use of the Centre's own outdoor picnic and play area. A 10% discount can be obtained on general admission by purchasing tickets online at least one day in advance. Pre-booking is recommended during school holidays. A cafe, shop and onsite parking is available. During peak times a satellite car park and shuttle bus service is provided.