Milestones Museum of Living History

Explore what life was like for Hampshire people in the past by wandering through Milestones’ old cobbled streets. And as you wander round you may also encounter some of our costumed characters…

Enthusiasts will enjoy our collection of beautifully restored vintage vehicles - and so will kids of all ages!

If you prefer shopping you’ll be able to discover what shops used to be like before chain stores took over. You’ll probably recognise some of the things they sold, while others might leave you scratching your head about what they were actually for.

Enjoy our 1940s sweetshop, the Vintage Penny Arcade and the Post Office and pub.

Thornycroft Collection

Enjoy looking at our collection of beautifully restored Thornycroft vintage vehicles.

The Thornycroft Steam Wagon Company Ltd were based  in Chiswick but demand for their steam lorries and vans eventually led them in 1898 to build a huge new factory in Basingstoke, which also produced quality cars between 1903–1912.

In its heyday the Basingstoke factory employed many thousands of people – maybe you have family links to someone who worked there?

See some of the vehicles they built, on display in a building that also houses fascinating machinery from the original works.

Find out more about Thornycroft.

Winchester Chesil railway station

Discover our authentic ticket office and a miniature railway based on the GWR Chesil Station in Winchester.

In 1885 the GWR opened the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton line (DNSR) which initially terminated at Winchester Cheesehill (later Chesil) Station, until the line was extended to link with the Southern Railway line to Southampton. It closed in 1966.

The Woolmer steam locomotive which is displayed opposite was originally built for the Longmoor Military Railway in 1910 and is on loan from the National Railway Museum.

School Visits to Milestones

We welcome school groups and offer a range of curriculum-based educational programmes for different ages and abilities.

Please follow the links to find detailed information about each of the programmes we offer; including session plans, notes for teachers and adult helpers and timetables for your visit specifically relating to the programmes on offer.

Follow the links alongside for more general information about bringing a group of school children to visit Milestones, including booking, pre and post visit ideas and guidance for completing your risk assessment.