Milestones Living History Museum

About the museum

Milestones Living History Museum opened on 1 December 2000 and was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh. It was set up as a joint project of Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to show daily life in Hampshire in an immersive way. Today it is part of Hampshire Cultural Trust.

The museum is built around recreated streets of shops, workshops, factories and homes, many modelled on original buildings from in and around Basingstoke. Visitors walk through Victorian and Edwardian scenes and into the 1930s, with a Victorian schoolroom, wartime homes and gardens and a 1960s setting. Later additions include Mr Simpson's Teddy Bear Museum in 2003, a seaside pier and vintage arcade in 2006 and a 1960s Memory Lounge, designed for reminiscence, in 2022.

More than 40,000 objects are on show, including over 40 restored vehicles such as a steam locomotive, traction engines, cars, lorries, bicycles and the only surviving Portsmouth tram. Costumed volunteers tell stories and give demonstrations, and the museum has a working vintage pub, a café and several themed shops.

Highlights

• Recreated Victorian, Edwardian, 1930s and 1960s streets and shops
• More than 40 restored vehicles, including the only surviving Portsmouth tram
• Mr Simpson's Teddy Bear Museum with over 260 bears
• Vintage pier and penny arcade with working machines
• The Baverstock Arms, a working vintage pub

Permanent exhibitions

• Step into Hampshire's Past – Recreated streets of shops, factories and homes from Victorian times to the 1960s, with a vehicle collection and costumed volunteers.
• Mr Simpson's Teddy Bear Museum – A collection of more than 260 teddy bears with a history trail from early bears to the present day.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Hampshire Cultural Trust

Admission & discounts

A standard ticket is valid for 12 months from the first visit and gives unlimited visits, but a day and time must be booked for each visit. Art Fund members receive 50 per cent off all ticket types and National Art Pass holders 50 per cent off adult or concession tickets (at the museum only). Museums Association members are admitted free with proof of membership.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum describes itself as fully accessible and SEN friendly. The main doors are double width and open automatically, and two lifts serve the three levels. The Victorian and Edwardian areas have cobbled floors and tramlines that may be difficult for wheelchair users, while the 1930s area is flat; a downloadable accessible route avoids most cobbles. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability. Accessible toilets are on the entrance and museum floor levels. Seven Blue Badge spaces are near the main entrance. Assistance dogs are welcome. A sensory map and a visual story are available to download, and weekdays are quieter because school groups usually leave around 14:00.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

There is a family ticket, and under-5s are free. The museum offers seasonal children's events, such as a Halloween event for ages 5 to 12 and Christmas experiences. Two baby-change toilets are on the lower floor and one is on the upper floor. The Vintage Tea Tent can be booked for a children's party.

Getting there & parking

Use postcode RG22 6PG and leave the M3 at junction 6 or 7, following signs to Basingstoke Leisure Park.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

The Rooftops Café serves hot and cold food, the Vintage Tea Tent sells drinks and snacks at weekends and in school holidays, and the Baverstock Arms is a working vintage pub. Visitors may bring their own food, with limited indoor space and picnic benches outside. The museum has a gift shop, a 1940s sweet shop and a music shop. There are no lockers and nowhere to leave luggage, but unsupervised coat racks are available when no school groups are in. All areas accept cash except the pier, where change machines need a card.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 90 guests.

The Vintage Tea Tent can be hired for a private party and seats up to 60 people. Two classrooms are available for meetings at weekends, holding up to 40 and 90 people. The museum also hosts ticketed partner events such as murder mysteries and cinema nights.

Plan your visit