The county’s more recent past is brought to life at Milestones, Hampshire’s living history museum, one mile west of the town centre. The sheer volume of visitors makes it one of the most successful attractions in the south, offering nostalgia and providing dynamic interactive experiences for children. The vast hi-tech structure of this award-winning museum houses a network of 19th and early 20th century streets.
Thousands of authentic bricks, slates and tiles have been used to create a network of life-size street scenes, complete with period houses and even a working pub. Factories and industrial buildings are also striking features, representing important local manufacturers, such as Taskers and Thornycrofts.
A team of collections specialists and designers have transformed the street scenes with around 20,000 individual items. These include a range of vehicles, from large steam engines to commercial vehicles, as well as smaller social history objects, detailing the technology and industry of Hampshire’s vibrant past.
With the help of demonstrators dressed in period costumes, Milestones recreates everyday life for the townspeople in a fun and accessible way.
For more information on events and opening times visit www.milestones-museum.com or telephone 0845 603 5635.
Milestones, Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, RG21 6PG
