Surrey
If you haven't been to a museum in years for fear of drab venues and broken pots in glass cases, you may be interested to hear that museums in England have been transported into the 21st century.
Prepare yourself for a surprise as the South East has some of the most fun museums in England, with hundreds across the region.
In place of stuffy rooms and wardens shushing for quiet, you'll find inspirational and interactive spaces with engaging and accessible exhibits from retro cars to animatronics. Whether you're into heritage, art, science, maritime, or wildlife, you're bound to find something right up your street.
The featured museums in the counties of South East England demonstrate the sheer variety of interest on offer and a more detailed list of museums in South East England can be located through the map at the bottom of this page.
The South East is home to two brilliant Dockyards: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in Hampshire and The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent. Discover maritime history onboard some of the most famous war ships in British Naval history and find out what life was like for sailors in years gone by.
Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the world-famous National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire’s New Forest. See one of the largest car collections held by any of the museums in England, with 250 cars of every age including land speed record-breakers Golden Arrow and Bluebird.
Many of Britain’s best-loved authors lived in the South East and found the region inspirational for their work. Explore the Jane Austen's House in Hampshire, the house where Jane Austen wrote some of her famous novels, and visit the many locations in Kent that tell of the life and works of Charles Dickens.
Use the 'Map View' button below to find museums near you in South East England including dozens of local museums showcasing their town's proud history. Check individual listings to see which museums are open today.
Number of results: 117
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Museum
MAIDSTONE
Maidstone Carriage Musuem is home to a unique collection of horse-drawn vehicles & transport curiosities. More than 60 vehicles displayed, from grand carriages & ornate sleighs to antique sedan chairs & Victorian cabs, even an original ice
Museums & Galleries
Aldershot
Housed in the only surviving brick-built barrack blocks left in Aldershot, Aldershot Military Museum tells the story of daily life for both soldier and civilian in the town since 1854.
Museum
Rolvenden
Unique collection of Morgan 3-wheel cars, eleven from 1913-1935, plus 1904 Humber Tricar, 1929 Morris van, 1929 Ford model A, 1936 Bampton caravan, early cycles, motorcycles, toy and model cars and motoring memorabilia.
Gallery
Southampton
Explore Southampton City Art Gallery’s diverse collection of fine art, which can tell the story of European art from the Renaissance through to the present day. The gallery has regularly rotating displays feature works from the collection, national…
Museum
near Arundel
Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre is a 36 acre open-air site dedicated to preserving the industrial heritage of the south east.
Castle / Fort
Windsor
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, the family home of 39 British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years, and is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen.
Open to visitors throughout the…
Historic Site
London
One of the world’s most famous ships, Cutty Sark tea clipper has been beautifully restored and is full of fun and exciting things to see and do.
Museum
Gosport
Get up close to HMS Alliance at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, the only remaining Second World War era submarine.
Museum
Alton
Historic house and garden, home of Gilbert White, author of 'The Natural History of Selborne'. Exhibition on Frank Oates, explorer and Capt Lawrence Oates of Antarctic fame.
Historic Site
Fareham
Fort Nelson is a superbly restored Victorian fort overlooking Portsmouth Harbour. It is home to the Royal Armouries national artillery collection with over 350 historic guns on display.
Industrial Archaeology
Bursledon
Come and be amazed at the authentic sights, sounds and smells of the last steam-driven Victorian brickworks in the UK.
Historic Ship
HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
HMS Warrior 1860 was Britain’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship and the pride of Queen Victoria’s Fleet. On her first voyage, HMS Warrior caused a sensation; people crowded to see her and she was considered invincible.
Museum
Maidenhead
Fly a Spitfire simulator at this local museum which covers local history from the Romans to Racing Cars!
Museum
Southampton
Based at the heart of Southampton, SeaCity Museum tells the story of the people of the city, their fascinating lives and historic connections with Titanic and the sea. Visit SeaCity Museum and Southampton to discover how they bring maritime history…
Historic Ship
HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
There have been many celebrated warships in Britain’s naval history but HMS Victory can justifiably claim to be the most famous of them all. Having served as Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Museum
Haslemere
An award winning Museum in the heart of Haslemere with remarkable collections of natural history, human history and geology.
Gallery
Eastbourne
Towner, the contemporary art museum, is Eastbourne's new art gallery and centre for the visual arts in the South East.
Museum
Stockbridge
The Museum of Army Flying is an award-winning British military aviation museum about the history of flying in the British Army.
Museum
Ashford
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum is on a World War II advanced landing ground used by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 with Spitfires and the United States 9th Air Force in 1944 with P51 Mustangs. It is the only advanced landing ground still in…
Museum
Basingstoke
Discover Basingstoke and Deane’s past, from the rich archaeological heritage beneath our feet right up to the modern day.
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