The Versailles of British gardening If Kew is the King, then Wisley is unquestionably the Crown Prince beautifully groomed, impeccably mannered, and dripping in horticultural old-money charm. The borders are magnificent. The glasshouse is a cathedral of tropical splendour. Even the ducks appear to have degrees in botany. You don’t visit Wisley you take pilgrimage. Spring brings tulips arranged with mathematical perfection. Summer is dahlia heaven. Autumn is a masterclass in fiery foliage. Winter? Even the frost looks curated. The gift shop deserves its own postcode and a security guard you will leave with at least one book you didn’t need, a mug you don’t have room for, and seeds for plants you cannot pronounce. This is simply the Wisley effect. Bring: Comfortable shoes A packed lunch (or a willing wallet the café is delicious but not for the faint-pursed) A camera, because the borders humiliate your own garden mercilessly If you love plants, go. If you don’t love plants, go anyway you will by the end.

Great place to walk around and blow the cobwebs off on a drizzly Sunday afternoon. The autumnal colours are amazing there's still a surprising number of flowers out. Well with a visit. Check out annual passes as they may not be much more than a day pass (especially if you're a student!).

Stunning day out with the family, to be in awe of nature. Mind-blowing how many different trees/plants/flowers there are around you (all labelled!) and how exquisitely they are maintained by the RHS Wisley team. Managed to get discounted tickets and thoroughly enjoyed our relaxing day of walking around all of the different gardens. The indoor glass house is also amazing in what feels like a rainforest climate! Definitely one to check out for the day to get in the clean air and appreciate the incredible creation around us! Ample free parking available.

Fabulous place. Gardens have amazing colours for Autumn. The Glasshouse was my favourite. There was a craft fair there today which had wonderful things. Didn't get round all of it today. So much to see.

Been meaning to go here for years and finally made it on what felt like the hottest day of the year so far. The gardens were beautifully maintained and the old house was a stunning backdrop to some of my photos. I particularly liked the fact there are several cafes dotted strategically around the grounds which enabled us to grab a tea or top up our water bottles as required. All told we had a lovely day out but be prepared for a long walk.

The colours of the autumn leaves were beautiful today. Some amazing plants both in the greenhouses and outside in the gardens. We had a lovely day with the bonus of the Craft and jewellery fair to visit and browse the variety of wonderful products.

The Autumn is as always colourful. Flowering plants are in pastel colours beautifully arranged. Very good and easy walking conditions; this time my friend has been able to use the electric buggy and to enjoy the outing. Pumpkin display was very artistic. An opportunity to take the pictures.

We did the tour and tasting followed by an overnight stay. All of the staff we met were lovely. The grounds and buildings were very well kept. Victoria was a great tour/tasting guide and certainly knew her stuff. We sampled various wines, beers and liqueurs, along with some cheese and crackers to cleanse the pallet between tastings. The farmhouse breakfast was great too!

I recently proposed to my girlfriend at this stunning venue, and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting or experience. From start to finish, everything was smooth, beautifully organized, and completely stress-free. Don, the venue owner, was an absolute pleasure to work with- professional, thoughtful, and clearly passionate about making special moments unforgettable. The coordination with our photographer and even the tour guide, Steve, was seamless. Everyone worked together behind the scenes to make the moment magical, and they absolutely delivered. Steve was fantastic, and his knowledge is amazing. The atmosphere was lovely, the setting was picture-perfect, and the entire team made sure everything went off without a hitch. Highly recommend this venue for any special occasion- it truly exceeded all expectations!

Just a note to say we had a fabulous time. Very, very informative, easy to understand and great fun. Having been in hospitality all my life I knew a little about the subject but I left knowing a whole lot more. A great couple of hours, the time flew by. I would recommend the tour to anyone!

We enjoyed the wine tour, better yet we got it half price. It's great to hear the history of the location as we didn't know much about the area before the arrived. Everything was enjoyable from start to finish. 10 stars for the Irish cream liqueur and Blood Orange Liqueur

What a beautiful venue and a very informative presentation and tour by your staff. Forgive me but I can't recall the South African guys name but he made it a very memorable visit with his knowledge and anecdotes. Unfortunately i couldn't fully take part in the tasting session at the end because of having to drive home but plenty of great wines and beers to buy at the end. Happy to support a small but very professional and enterprising business.I would recommend anyone with an interest in wine making and brewing to pay them a visit. A truly memorable visit. Thank you

We had a fantastic afternoon tour yesterday. The chap taking us round was very knowledgeable, the setting was absolutely stunning, and the samples included lovely. We will definitely be returning to spend some time at the bar, and trying the delicious looking food. Many thanks for such a great time.

Just spent the afternoon at this venue with a tour being provided by one of the sommeliers. He was so knowledgeable about the history of the estate, the business and wine and beer making. He then led us expertly through a tasting of three wines, three beers and a liqueur. We then sat in the beautiful courtyard and enjoyed a glass of wine. Recommend a trip to this venue.

What a great place this is... Just been to the food n music festival today. Plenty of stuff going on, food, beer, music, sunshine... Fully family orientated... Can't believe that they put on a fully free family afternoon... Well done SHP!!

Lovely park and house with a cafe/restaurant, lots of green grassy space for picnics, and a nearby playground. It has a car park and multiple paths leading from the house beside the small lake to the playground. Events are held in the house, such as films and plays, and you can also hire the house.

My Dad took us out for Sunday lunch today after hearing good things about the food. I have to say we were not disappointed! The roasts were lovely, and plenty of veg for us all, too. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a decent local roast dinner. We will definitely go again.

OMG! What a diamond find. With no expectations, my family and I visited the Park. Not only was the mansion and acres of land so beautiful, the sheer alfresco bar and food was so good. I recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a walk and some food to eat.

Nice big open space for picnics, flying kites, playing football, dog exercising. Beautiful place to sit and watch the sunset. A nice man made lake with ducks and a couple of resident swans around. The park itself is small of a walk, you can go around the park for more or less than 30 minutes.

The South Hill Park venue is great. But your parking is rubbish. No where to park. Got scream at resident for parking in here road. No signs to say no parking. Then hotel up the road plenty of parking but at a charge. it be good to get the venue on board with the hotel and work together. But council won't move on this and problem carry on.

Lovely venue with lots going on, fab cafe, very popular. Beautiful gardens and trails for all the family which are free. Great playground for children.

Amazing... It's amazing. So many sculptures set in glorious woods. Very accessible for wheelchair users and plenty to see even though there are areas accessed via steps, it did not feel that the wheelchair user had missed out. Great to be able to take the dog. Great to have full access to QR codes to learn more about the sculptures and their price No food/drink on site, ending the visit with a team /coffee would have made the trip perfect!

When i started the walk around the park I was a little overwhelmed by the number and various sculptures. However as you get into it the meandering path goes through many hidden spaces revealing the hundreds of works of art there. Some have been there for 23 years since it opened and have blended into the environment whilst others are strikingly new and shiny contrasting with the autumnal tones of the forest. If you want to do this properly and allow some time to watch and think I'd suggest you allow 3 hours but you can see all of it in about 2

An unexpected gem! Loved our Saturday afternoon stroll in this fabulous sculpture park! My camera roll is filled with incredible sculptures - I would have taken home all of them if I could! The only point I would say is that the park is (or feels) larger than it is, so you should probably wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for the 2-mile walk around. The placement of the sculptures is brilliant, too - very enjoyable experience!

Wow there are some lovely sculptures at the park. Some very large and some small but all so incredible none the less. The only negative I have to say is it’s not very pushchair friendly (other than the disabled route) and my 2.5 year old found it a little boring.

There are many things I love about the Sculpture Park, but most of all, it’s the fact that it is constantly evolving. Every time we visit, there is something new—whether in the layout or the display. One thing that never changes is the warm welcome we receive; we are always greeted with a smile, and the staff make us feel really welcome. The sculptures are a versatile collection—diverse in material, style, and texture. There is something for everyone, beautifully displayed in lovely natural settings. Our most recent visit was for the event Spirit in Stone - celebrating Zimbabwean craftsmanship. Everything was well-organised - with drinks, catering, gentle live music, and lovely, attentive staff. The artworks were stunning and displayed wonderfully. Happy to hear that such events will be organised again, and we will gladly attend again. In the meantime, the park is well worth a visit—an inspiring place to enjoy nature, art, and beauty.

We spent a wonderful 3 hours strolling round with our dog, taking in all the fabulous sculptures. Some parts need a little care / updating but overall a wonderful way to spend a morning

A wonderful experience!!! Friendly staff and incredible art. A peaceful wander through the lush woodlands. I will be back in the winter as it will be a completely different experience. Highly recommend.

One of the best Trust houses we have visited. Great art works everywhere in the huge rooms. It was nice to have some seating to relax and enjoy. The grounds are well kept making it a pleasant walk from the car parking area. Seats in the cafe were limited during the rain showers, as one would expect.

Another National Trust gem! Had a wonderful day there. So much to see and wonderful walks in the grounds and deer park. The art collection is outstanding and as usual the volunteers in the house were great. Had an interesting talk in the square dining room about the history of the family. Found the kitchens fascinating!Great cafe too. Highly recommend.

Visiting Petworth House is a great way to spend a few hours. Impressive artwork, including many Turner paintings, sculptures, a Chapel, a deer park, servants quarters, well kept gardens and a cafe with plenty of seating. I found the Main House interesting, and the furnishings gave an idea of how life may have been, but I always like visiting the servants quarters, as they give me more of a feel for the character of the House. The Guides were very informative and came up with interesting facts which added to the experience. The House is about a ten minutes walk from Reception, with a slight incline in places. There is a large car park which was showing as "full" when I arrived, but I, and the cars following behind, managed to find a space.

Petworth is a NT place with huge grounds and a large house. The ground are beautiful and lead down to a lake from the house. The ground here can be quite boggy, even in good weather so be wearing suitable footwear. The house itself is large and you can walk round a lot of it but because the family still inhabit it, a lot of it is still private. They do open up certain extra spaces at points so worth checking out, for example in Oct some of the upstairs is open. Opposite the house are the servants quarters which have been turned into some viewing space alongside a bookshop and cafe. Also there are toilets in here, the only other toilets are before the entrance. There are NT volunteers around the house and they were all very friendly and helpful. The house is quite a walk from the car park however so you will need to be able to walk a distance or use one of the wheelchairs you can borrow (probably best to try and book one). The gardens are spacious and varied from the open space down to the lake by the house to the woodland and dogs on leads can be walked here (not in the house). Definitely worth a visit, in the colder months probably and hour or twos visit but in summer we have spent several hours here exploring the grounds and having a picnic etc.

My first National Trust to visit and this place did not disappoint. Very lovely art displays inside, interesting history, good restaurant, friendly staff. There’s a super big walk outside the actual property which we also did, a lot of deer around the area which was lovely to see. Lake area also beautiful. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a nice summer activity.

A truly wonderful day trip to the picturesque village of Petworth allowed us to stroll through its cobbled streets, full of charming cafés and many art galleries displaying antiques and beautiful pieces of art. There’s a convenient parking area and a spacious café within the Petworth House grounds — a perfect place to take a break and look over the map provided at reception. The interior architecture and the abundance of artworks take you back in time, while the gardens outside are stunning and beautifully maintained, offering a heavenly atmosphere in every season. Definitely worth a visit — take your time and enjoy every minute!

Petworth House and Park is one of the most beating National Trust sites I have visited.The House is packed with incredible art and history and the surrounding park is breathtaking, wide open landscape, ancient trees and herds of deer roaming freely .The cafe shop are lovely too.

What a wonderful place! Lots to see and do. Be prepared to spend so.e time wondering around all the different museums, each dedicated to a specific technology and its development through time. Well worth it. We will go again.

Top day out. Easy to get to from Amberley railway station. The exhibits are hugely varied and the nature walks are very pretty. The electricity barn was the most interesting. Lots of volunteers and crafts people around to explain the exhibits. The ride on the train is short but fun. The main cafe was a bit tired inside and could have had more cake choices on offer, but friendly service nonetheless.

We had a lovely day here for their recent steampunk event, there’s so much to see we don’t have time for it all and lots of interactive features set in a beautiful location. They have an onsite cafe with a great menu for all dietary needs.

A good amount of the site and exhibits are wheelchair accessible. Lots of interesting information to read at leisure while the younger visitors explore. Great for a family visit with grandparents and fairly priced .

An amazing working museum suitable for all ages. Lots of fascinating artefacts and pieces of history, with knowledgeable volunteers happy to help. A great day out with lots of different sections to visit. Unfortunately when we attended a few of of the workshops were closed but there was still more than enough to see. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a day out to visit Amberley! Please note the car park is FREE when you register in the museum, don’t get caught out!!!

An amazing place, the staff were extremely nice. Expecially the staff in the printing Workshop and the printing were top quality and cheap. The old trains and the buses are a must to go on whilst there. And the food at the limeburners cafe was delicious. However, there is so many options for improvement to make the place better. Now I'm not saying its bad, its a great place and I would highly recommend it. Yet they could have an oldern style sweet shop where the people can watch them make the sweets and purchase if they wish, Or have live actors in the streets, playing oldern characters something to entise people to come back as there isnt much to entise people to wanting to come back.

Just back from a super day at Amberley museum. Had a lovely time wondering back in time with my wife. Super place to visit, suprised how quiet it was for a weekend. Stopped off at the café had a lovely jacket spud each. Prices were very good. Free parking as well. Staff all were clearly very passionate about the museum. Highly recommend you visit.

We travelled from the Midlands to take my wife's nan who lives in Reading to Beale Park as she has always wanted to go. It was well worth the 5 hours of driving. The place has plenty of parking and was spotless inside. The staff were all really helpful and cheery. Lots of lovely places to sit and eat. All the pathways are nice for a wheelchair too. Plenty of animals and well maintained gardens to look at. We liked the fact that you just go round in two big loops so no dead ends to get lost in. We all had a great time thank you. Only thing is that when we go out to a place as a family we get a fridge magnet and you didn't have any with your place name on. Shame we don't live closer as we would deffo return for another visit.

Love Beale Park, well maintained gardens, great for adults and kids, good food and lovely animals to see. The only thing that was sad was the reindeer enclosure. They were all walking round in a big circle and you could see on the floor where they do it out of constant habit and boredom. They definitely need more room and stimulation. Would be definitely nice to see an improvement there

A perfect day out with kids! Beale Park has so much to do — a great outdoor play area, an indoor soft play, and even a little train that takes you around the park. The small water pool is brilliant for kids of all ages to splash around safely, and there are plenty of animals and birds to see too. The Wild Café has tasty food at reasonable prices, plus there are ice cream vans around the park which is always a hit with the little ones. Entry fee is fair for everything that’s included, and they also put on different shows to keep everyone entertained. Such a fun and family-friendly place — highly recommend!

Very very nice place. A lot to see and do with your children. Animals, sand pit area, a pool, a miniature train to ride, an inflatable giant pillow and much more. There's a whole day to spend there and a very good reason to visit it over and over again. Nicely maintained and looked after , shame it didn't have a lot of photos on Google maps as we didn't bring our daughter's swimming costume. Free parking, a cafe and a lovely ice cream from the ice cream van located nearby the miniature train.

Fabulous day out, £20 for 2 adults. Lots of beautiful grounds to wander round, fantastic playground, bouncy cushion and splash pool for smaller kids to play in and enjoy. Cafe was very busy but there are loads of shaded areas for a picnic. There was a lovely ice cream van with gluten free whippy ice cream I could have in a tub. The little train was a lovely way to see the whole park. Wished I’d booked the feeding of the capybara as sadly this was booked up already. Highly recommend.

Absolutely loved this place. A really interesting selection of animals, including some unusual ones. A trip on the little train is included in the price, and the train carriages have roofs so it's good if there's a rain shower. The weather turned in the afternoon and it's nearly all outside so be warned. I used a mobility scooter and although it worked pretty well, there are some muddy paths and uneven surfaces. I also had to park and go into buildings quite a lot, so be aware if you're a wheels user.

Beale Wildlife Park is a real hidden gem and such a wonderful day out for families, nature lovers, and anyone who enjoys being outdoors. The park is beautifully set along the River Thames, with wide open spaces, woodlands, and gardens that make it feel both relaxing and adventurous at the same time. There’s so much to see and do here. The wildlife is the main highlight – with an impressive mix of animals ranging from playful meerkats and curious lemurs to wallabies, capybaras, owls, and birds of prey. There’s also a farmyard area where children can meet friendly goats, pigs, and smaller animals up close. The park does a great job of caring for the animals, and it really shows in how healthy and well-kept everything looks.

We had a splendid time at Basildon Park. The house is beautiful, my favourite room was the Seashell Room. Volunteers from National Trust were so friendly and full of historical information. We didn’t get a chance to have a long walk outside but we did manage to have a lovely short one after picking up a bite at the cafe. Look forward to coming back for a longer walk & a visit to the gift shop.

Fine manor house with plenty of woodland and pasture to explore. There’s ample parking which is a good thing as it’s only really possible to get there by car. The manor has great architecture and is very well maintained. There’s a cafe there but the food is a little below the standard I’d expect for a national trust venue.

Basildon Park is such a charming mix of history and glamour! Built in the 18th century for Sir Francis Sykes and later owned by James Morrison, the house even fell into disuse during WWII before being rescued in the 1950s by Lord and Lady Iliffe. I loved exploring the rooms and viewing framed personal family photos and other mementos. It was also fun discovering the home’s on-screen fame—right now there’s a 20th anniversary exhibition celebrating all the films and TV shows shot here, from Pride and Prejudice to Downton Abbey, and The Crown. The National Trust has done a great job keeping both the house and its lovely grounds inviting, so it’s easy to imagine life here across the centuries.

The lush green fields, meandering river Thames, glorious countryside, and the Mansion full of colourful history. Each room tells a story and the Mansion was the shooting location of at least five films between 2005 - 2020, Pride & Prejudice, Dorian Gray, Downton Abbey, The Gentlemen, and Belgravia. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable who are ready to answer any question you may have. The whole palace is kept immaculately clean and the public facilities are excellent.

Lovely NT property in stunning surroundings. You can see why so many film makers have chosen it! Stunning house interior including one of the UK's last surviving Georgian ceilings. Nice courtyard team room in the house too. Highly recommended.

Lovely house. Helpful staff to tell you about the history. There is lots of walks. We were just stopping for a short time on our way home. Unable to check out the walks. Another gem of national trust membership.

Beautiful house with an interesting history. Exciting to visit if you're a fan of historic drama showa like Downton Abbey or Pride and Prejudice. Has lovely walks around the parkland. Loved the sea shell collection - never seen anything like it. Was amazing to see the Downton Abbey dresses on exhibition.

Nice selection of birds, so many pretty varieties that we had never seen before. The parrots and cockatoos were entertaining with their chatter and whistles. There are a couple of walk-through areas where you can get up close to the birds. The main cafe area at the entrance is nice with outdoor seating overlooking the gardens. There is another cafe/kiosk, but this was closed when we visited. They are building a new play area which looks like it's going to be quite large. We spent around 3 hours there slowly walking around. For the kids, there is a dinosaur trail. The car park is large and free. Toilets and baby change areas were clean. There is quite a large gift shop. We had a nice half day wandering around.

Larger than expected but very interesting. There are all sorts of birds and plenty to see. For those with children, there are plenty of play bits for them to play and for those without there are benches where you can sit and watch the birds. The park is accessible for wheelchair users. Visually impaired folk will definitely benefit from taking a sighted guide.

Good place to visit after the upgrade made for kids but could have also added play center for toddler separately. The dinosaurs were good additions. Food-wise need to have more options and for the entry price paid the experience is bit on lower end with the birds. The bird world itself has not been updated fully and they seem old n neglected. Finally the parking facilities are lacking with very small spaces considering most visitors are with toddlers and kids and are of low quality.

I am disabled and cannot walk. Please see the end of the review for the only problem i had. Visited today with my wife daughter and her husband and two granddaughter's. We had a great time loads to see and do the birds are great and well displayed. The granddaughter's loved the play areas. All the staff are great. Helpfull, polite and a credit to bitdworld. on the whole it was easy to get round on a mobility class 3 mobility scooter. I have only one complaint and that there was a problem and that is with the disabled toilets it may not sound much but if you are like me on A Class 3 mobility scooter and cannot walk at all it is impossible sitting on one of those scooters and opening a door towards you. I do wish the people who designed these toilets would actually try to get in there whilst at on a large mobility scooter. It takes away your independence completely when you can't even open the door to get in. To pull a door open and hold it open while you driving is completely impossible. I really really wish that somebody would actually try it to see what I mean. Is bad enough being stuck on one of those things without having to ask a complete stranger to hold the door open for you. Please would one of your staff get hold of one of those scooters and try it.

New park is amazing. The kids loved the activity sheet and the dinosaur trail. Can't wait for the new play barn. Food was fresh and good. Only down side, they do not have a changing table for disabled guests, but we were told we could use the first aid one.

A popular day out for us or even a quick stop after nursery to run off extra energy. We invested in the membership this year and have visited Birdworld very regularly to explore every nook and cranny it has to offer. The bonus features of the dinosaur trail, bird bath and adventure play have been a treat too. There are so many beautiful birds and really helpful information about them to learn and raise awareness of endangered species, as well as regular talks from the team who present it so well. The birds are well looked after and the park is so pretty with greenery, flowers, water features, bird photography and beautiful interactive displays of information. There is lots to do for all ages. The paths are wheelchair and buggy accessible and plenty of loo facilities around the park. Lots of parking space and the check-in process is simple and quick even on busy days. Even when the park is busy it doesn’t feel crowded as there’s lots of space to run around, and benches to sit on.

Perfect for all. Not too long to walk around (you could probably rush it in half hour) took us a couple of hours to see everything, but there's plenty of extra play areas and games to keep kids entertained. Special experiences like feeding the penguins are extra, but well worth it.

Fantastic place to walk the dog/dogs. I highly recommend Alice Holt. There are plenty of walking paths, and cycle paths for all abilities. If you are more adventurous Go Ape is also available here, for tree top fun. For children there are play parks and the Gruffalo walk which includes beautiful carved caricatures from the books. There is also a lovely cafe on site.

Great facilities, marble run is a great new addition but the cafe has gone downhill and isn't a patch on what it used to be. Terrible vegan options and eye watering prices, make sure to bring your own food. Parking is also expensive, but in line with all forestry England sites

Lovely place. Autumn leaves looking gorgeous. Disc Golf was great fun. It was good to have a focus of a 'different' activity - and take exercise at the same time.

Nice place with lots of activities. However, parking is expensive £8 for just over 2 hours!!

Lots of trees, a great little cafe, lots of climbing frame things for kids and adults. It's just a great place to go for a walk or a bike ride.

Family trip in February. Car parking is well organised but not cheap. Great trails and plenty of exploring possible. Facilities are excellent, even with a dog wash station if that’s something for you! Play areas are very good and entertained the children for a good while. Highly recommend this place. Best time is later in the afternoon to miss the crowds.

Absolutely fantastic place. Beautiful scenery and walks designed for all ages with directions so you cannot get lost. Great play trail for the little ones to keep them entertained. Lots of space to park (bit pricey) but it hasn't put me off wanting to go again.

A must see. The castle is huge and very interesting to visit. One can see the different periods of time of its occupation. The interiors exhibit very well reconstructed rooms. The garden is very rich and diverse. The stumpery was our favorite part, in particular thanks to the autumn colours. Full tour of the castle and gardens took us about 3 hours.

Stunning castle for history, art, and design lovers! Walking through the castle and keep felt like entering one of my many childhood drawings. The weather was lovely and the gardens made me si happy—there are greenhouses to visit, a rose garden, ponds, and so many wonderful interiors for a great day trip from London. Thank you!

Such an incredible experience! Visiting from the states, so I don't get a lot of castle tours, but this one was simply exceptional. From the gardens, to the castle tour, to the guides, and the cafe, we left with an amazing experience and tons of stunning shots! Highly recommend planning for a sunny day to enjoy the beautiful gardens. Truly an unforgettable experience! The setups were stunning to see and the staff was more than friendly and informative. Plus, the food was great! We shared a sausage roll and pasty, but ate it too quickly to snap a photo! If you're in the area, or wanting to make a day trip to the south, can't suggest Arundel further! It took us three to four hours to clear the grounds and castle altogether- it's worth the ticket!

Lovely place. Bit pricey, but the castle and grounds are huge, so you can spend most of the day there. It's really well set up, with a specific route that takes you through the whole castle and learn about its history. The gardens are equally stunning. Great visit. Would recommend.

Google's 50 picture limit means I can't show you the superior quality of this place. My favourite castle in the country, somewhere I've always wanted to visit, and by a long way the best one I've ever been to. I loved every second of being in here, I'd do it all again. The Duke of Norfolk is a very lucky man, to own this place must be a very special experience.

11th century castle has impressive grounds and you can explore the castle. Very informative volunteers who are happy to showcase the part of the castle they are located in. Beautiful gardens. The gift shop is lovely. One of the first houses to be fitted with electrical lights. Closes soon in early November

The most beautiful castle I've ever been too. Have visited before pre baby and did the whole castle, but attended again recently to visit the gardens only as had the baby in the pram which is not accessible in the castle for prams. It was absolutely stunning and better than I remembered. Looked extra lovely in the sunshine. Gardens were beautiful. The garden cafe was great, friendly lady there. Toilets also clean and spacious. We also met the lovely little puppy Titus who was wondering the grounds with it's owner.

We visited again today after a long time (I used to bring the kids when they were young and my middle son wanted to return years later being an animal lover!). It's always an interesting visit here and so much to see. You have to keep an eye out for the birds around your feet or amongst the trees on the floor and all around (some funny sounds they make!) The little frogs that are chirping are just so cute but you need to look out for them! The sloth was sleeping in the heights quite happily, we could just see where he was. The tortoises were entertaining as they chased each other. Always enjoy a visit here as different every time. Kids love it, with the interactive educational section and small gift shop also. A definite visit if you want something different!

The Living Rainforest is an Extrodinary little replica Rainforest inside Greenhouses with so many Tropical and Native American Plants 🪴 and Fruit Trees too. Here you will find Cinnamon the Sloth 🦥 Tortoises 🐢 Stingrays and many Exotic Birds including a Toucan too. Animal spotting was so much fun and so was ducking and diving from birds 🐦 They have a nice little Cafe and have toilets and a little gift shop 🎁 too. Worth a little visit if you're in the area 🤗

Haven't been here for a very long time. It is a very small place but enough for a hour. Impressive plants here and a few animals. Didn't see any of the free roaming birds today but did see the sloth although not fully. Recommend especially with kids.

Had a fab morning at The Living Rainforest in Thatcham! We were lucky enough to spot Cinnamon the sloth making her way across the open space such a treat. Also saw the tiniest frog ever and got some pics. Loved it! 🌿🦥📸

Lovely place with friendly staff. Animals were very active and obviously well cared for and information boards were plentiful. However it was smaller than expected.

Had a fab experience here.Loved strolling through the humid well kept living rainforest.Few small birds running freely and loved the small frogs croaking away.The plants were amazing and really felt like a rain forest.Staff were helpfull and friendly.Keep up the good work.

Reliable and interesting place. Informative. Not an all-day experience. Allow 2-3 hours including the kids being in the outside play area. The site does need updating, but consider that this is a charity, and there isn't anything else quite like this or better. The online passes entitle return for 12 months- just book online when you want to go.

Another local National trust site I was yet to discover, what a place this is! I've never seen so many families out with the pet dog in my life! The dog to geese ratio here was close 😆 A rather full Sunday car park on arrival so I would recommend getting here early! If visiting on a weekend. Great day out.

Beautiful place, very dog-friendly (four legged friends allowed in the downstairs seating area in the café, so you can stay warm and dry while you eat your lunch!) the house is gorgeous - no dogs in there though! Plus some stunning walks around the lake and lots of history to absorb as well. Definitely one of our favourite National Trust places!

A fantastic house and walled garden to visit. Good parking with really nice volunteer staff to explain basic information on walking to the house and walled garden there is a longer walk along the riverside that includes the bird hide. Some wonderful rooms decorated in the style of the day with wonderful artwork and ceramics. I was particularly interested to see some very early maps of the UK with mileage indicated between important towns and cities. You’ll need a minimum of 3 hours to explore this beautiful house and grounds.

Car park spaces are a bit tight and the signage could be clearer. We ended up part way into the disabled section by accident because there was nothing marking it until the very end. Not a huge issue but worth noting. The walled garden is lovely and the information signs are good. It would be helpful to have a direct cut through to the seating area rather than walking the long way round. The house itself is beautiful but the information inside felt limited. We were told volunteers would answer questions and I am sure they would but that relies on knowing what to ask. There was not much detail on the architectural features or what makes the house unique, and very little to help you understand its long history. It feels like a missed opportunity. The real disappointment was the tearoom. The layout is confusing as soon as you walk in. It is not clear where to queue and you end up weaving through tables before finding everyone crowded by the self service cakes. This was just before closing, not peak lunch, yet it still felt chaotic. Staff were polite in wording but the service felt forced and not very welcoming. Cutlery was tucked around the corner on a messy counter under the stairs which did not help. Overall it is a lovely property with lots of potential but the visitor experience, especially in the tearoom, needs improving. A rethink of the whole layout is needed and strong hospitality management would help bring it up to the standard the setting deserves.

Really nice place to visit with friends or family. Full of history and stories, the volunteers are there to help you on any questions you may have. Walk through the gardens and visit the house. Take same time to do the trails around the woods. Some places are wheelchair accessible. Definitely a well spent day here. Expect National Trust prices so if you have a membership it would be better for you. Plenty of parking available and free.

Lovely walk, not too far or strenuous. Adequate parking available but we did arrive early and it had filled significantly while waiting for the rest of our group to arrive. Beautiful scenery and well maintained. Toilets were clean. We came for a halloween event which was very sweet, fairly short but perfect stroll for 5 year old and 2 year old.

Amazing old stand-alone wisteria tree,unusual as usually see them up against walls. Interesting house and gardens with lovely lake views. Lovely volunteers.Gardens are less formal withput much floral displays. Nice walks to wetland area and woodland walks.

A real gem. Hands on, so great for kids. We spent 2½ hours in the museum. Our grandchildren 10 and 12 loved it, we found it very educational for them. We had a light lunch in the cafe which we can recommend. All of the staff were friendly and helpful throughout. Free parking, and plenty of it. Milestones often have extra attractions running in school holidays.

A fantastic day out at Milestones Museum! We spent four hours there and the time just flew by — there was so much to see and enjoy! The exhibits were excellent, beautifully curated, and full of fascinating details. But what truly made the experience special was the staff. From the reception to the café and the shop, every team member was welcoming, professional, kind, and clearly passionate about both customer service and the museum itself. Their warmth and enthusiasm made all the difference. I highly recommend Milestones Museum for a day out with family — it’s a place of great learning, wonderful staff, and outstanding exhibits. A truly fantastic museum!

Great museum with plenty to see. From a modern exterior, you walk into a piece of history. You can have an audio guide to find out more about the exhibits. There were a lot of people in costume walking around and explaining everything. The sweet shop lady and the barman were very friendly, in fact all the staff gave a friendly smile. You can purchase a ration book and get your choice of ration sweets from the sweet shop, a really nice touch. There are lots of vehicles from fire engines, trams, cars etc. Several places to eat, the garden pavilion or rooftop cafe. There is also a 1940s pub. Wander around the shops fully of memorabilia, take a walk along the pier complete with penny arcade machines... you can exchange modern money for old pennies. They teddy bear museum was very cute. There are also costumes for you to try on as you walk around and get the perfect selfie. A very enjoyable place to visit, made extra special thanks to the staff.

Hadnt visited for 10 or 12 years so it was interesting to see changes and additions. A very quiet afternoon with hardly anyone there so taking pictures was easier and pleasing. Lady who runs the gramophone shop was very pleasant and informative about what was on display. Will visit again in the future.

Really good fun! Loads to see and do to keep kids entertained, as well as interesting seeing and reading for adults. Love it. Didn't eat in the cafe but it looked great.

This is not an ordinary museum with exhibits in the glass cases (well, you will find some of these here), but very thoughtful and detailed historical reconstruction of the town through the time, with streets, shops, houses, garages, workshops, local transport, interiors with daily living attributes, seaside holidays attractions with working arcade games and the teddy bear museum. 🧸 Perfect for kids, as placing exhibits in context enables much better understanding of past life. You can enjoy a pint in the working pub, buy some old-fashioned sweets in the sweet shop, get some great coffee and cake or a proper breakfast/lunch in the cafe. The staff/volunteers are dressed up in the historical outfits, and they really care to give you the best experience. Tickets are not cheap, but at the moment there is a promotion on lovetovisit.com. There are discounts for kids, students, seniors, and disabled people who can bring their carer free of charge. The museum is fully accessible, with lifts, accessible toilets, and wheelchairs provided at the reception for anyone with mobility issues. Tickets are valid for the whole year, so you can revisit as often as you like and take advantage of different special events.

Purchased tickets online at a cheaper rate of £10 (for a limited time) entry is only after 1pm. advertised as a 'quieter less busy' time which would suit us. Unfortunately when we arrived there were three coach loads of screeching six year old running around like a massive ADHD experiment. Luckily they departed after a while so we were left in relative peace. Exhibits are very well displayed with plenty of the relevant information. Plenty to see so give yourself a good 2 to 3 hours. Usual expensive cafe, Americano coffee was okay but £3.50 for a tiny slice of cake that would dissolve before it hit your stomach was a bit steep. Gift shop selling good old British memorabilia (all made in China) worth a look but definitely not at full price.

Chichester Cathedral – Timeless and Tranquil Chichester Cathedral is a stunning blend of Norman and Gothic architecture, with soaring arches, intricate stonework, and a peaceful atmosphere that invites reflection. Entry is free, though donations are welcome, and the space feels both sacred and accessible. Highlights include the Marc Chagall stained glass window, Roman mosaics beneath the floor, and the tomb that inspired Philip Larkin’s poem An Arundel Tomb. The free-standing medieval bell tower is a rare feature, and the guided tours are well worth joining for deeper insight. Whether you're drawn by history, art, or quiet contemplation, it’s a beautiful stop in the heart of the city — dignified, welcoming, and full of quiet surprises.

Wonderful gothic style cathedral. Many modern pieces are to be found inside from the last century which allows for a good balance of new and old. Entrance is free but a donation is suggested plus you can also purchase a range of gifts from the Cathedral shop.

Beautiful piece of architecture. It's dog friendly, and entrance is free unless you want to donate towards the cathedral upkeep. Cannot visit Chichester and miss this gem.

I've visited the Cathedral for Choral services over the years, but today I had the opportunity to just wander around at my own pace and actually notice things I hadn't noticed before. Although not a large Cathedral, Chichester is still impressive. Highlights include historic artwork and tapestries and Marc Chagall's stained glass window. There is a section of flooring showing Roman mosaics. The bell tower stands separately to the Cathedral, which I think may be unique The grounds are beautiful and there is a stall with cameras monitoring the progress of the resident falcons and their chicks.

Beautiful cathedral with stunning architecture. Friendly and welcoming staff.

Simply magnificent. The building stands majestically in the centre of the town. Absolutely dominating the landscape. We felt drawn in whilst not being regular church goers this was akin to an evangelical experience. All my senses were heightened and I felt there was a higher spirit guiding me. I came out a changed man and will spend more time doing my charitable volunteering and supporting needy causes. Peace be with you.

Stunning blend of history and architecture, with beautiful stained glass, intricate carvings, and a peaceful atmosphere. The free entry and welcoming staff make it a must-visit. Don’t miss the striking spire and serene gardens. A perfect spot for history lovers and quiet reflection.

Amazing place! First you walk through a small museum with the information boards and the artefacts displayed. Then you follow a walkway to admire the mosaics. After that there's the garden with information boards about the palace that dominated this place 2000 years ago. Just fascinating!

Must see place if you are interested in roman Britain. Big collection of the artefacts and lots of floor mosaic to enjoy. The museum itself is not dog friendly, but if you take turns, you can spend time in the gardens.

Visiting the Roman Palace at Fishbourne was a truly wonderful experience. The site is perfectly maintained, and the reconstruction of the gardens is beautiful, created in line with what is known about Roman culture and society. However, what impressed me the most were the mosaics inside. They are preserved in a remarkable way and offer a fascinating and varied insight into Roman artistic culture and the use of mosaic decoration. The archaeologists have done an outstanding job in replicating what life must have been like at the time, making this place an authentic and captivating journey into the past. Absolutely worth visiting.

My brain wasn't ready for the astonishing existence of this place and the profound secrets that it holds. It is literally mind altering to see it and read the information so excellently provided, and, as we did, to meet an eminent architect who happened to be working as a volunteer that day, who allowed us to handle artifacts that were handled by Romans 2,000 years ago! The incalculable scope and importance of this ancient site, which was only uncovered in the mid-1960s, has left me reeling. I can't stop thinking about the courage, ambition, brilliance, discernment, and audacity of the Roman conquerors of the first century, (and wondering what has become of us as a species since then.) Don't miss it!

Updated 20250626 Another lovely day here. Again a fabulous informative really by a staff member (didn't catch her name sorry) with much embarrassment when I identified an amphora handle as a knee joint. Hohum. Also lovely to talk to the conservator who had just finished fixing a delightful little jet hair pin. Just wonderful to spend time with people who love their jobs. Calm informative and peaceful this place. Informative boards in the museum, lovely to walk over the various hypocausts and mosaics. As a school trip we were entertained and educated by Tom whose encyclopaediac knowledge of Roman clothes and armour brought the artifacts to life. Some of the signs are a bit tired hence the four stars, so folks get yourself down there to give more money to this place so they can update the boards. Little cafe is lovely, doing ice cream and very good coffee. I mean VERY good coffee.

Absolutely incredible to see 2000 year old mosaics! The staff are so passionate about the experience and the purpose of the museum. I felt so welcome. Yes, the interpretation is a little dated but most people don’t realise how expensive it is to refresh. Balanced against the overall costs that the organisation must face in conservation, buildings maintenance and staff pay, they are really doing the best they possibly can. I would go every week to support them if I could. I booked online, and opted to gift aid my ticket. On arrival the lovely lady told me that this meant my ticket was now an annual ticket.

Great place for the UK if you want to see some real roman finds. Well presented little museum, but the star is the hall built over the roman palace, with some noteworthy mosaics and informative panels to understand more about the original building. Decent cafe and shop on site too.

Really enjoyed our Thomas day out here, my 2 year old daughter loved it! Tip; don’t ride the Alton train as it wastes a lot of time and we were told there was nothing at Alton station (the website does state there are activities on there but the train guard said there was nothing there), so we opted not to bother and had a lovely day playing the garden games, playing in the park & funfair and riding the miniature train. 🚂 Thanks for having us!

Autumn Steam Gala is worth visiting, not just for steam enthusiasts, as they offer enhanced timetables with visiting and home-fleet locomotives. Heritage stations, workshops, and special rides like Brake Van experiences which you pay extra. Well-maintained stastions and facilities, detailed displays of locomotives and rolling stock, and enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers. It's possible to view the workshops, and restoration areas, to get behind-the-scenes views and appreciate the hard work that goes into running and maintaining the line. Great day out.

I got this as a gift for my dad's birthday and we both thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Train - Beautiful exterior and interior, views were amazing throughout the journey, was able to get off at Alton to stretch our legs for 10 mins before getting back onto the train to go back to Alresford. Food - Fish and chips was delicious, they give you water bottle, packets of salt and pepper and vinegar as well and a cherry flapjack. Make sure you take your own sauce, this was not included. Staff - Were polite and friendly throughout the experience. Parking - There is a car park on site but will advise you to get there early as its quite small and limited space, paid £3 for 3 hours which isn't bad. The only thing I would say is registering with the representative at the beginning of the journey could be better planned, but overall really good experience and will recommend to friends and family.

Took my grandson for a ride from Alresford to Alton. Like stepping back in time. All the staff are dressed appropriately, and all were very helpful and enthusiastic about what they were doing. Was a lovely day and well worth the money. My 2 dogs were welcome as well and free to travel.

Lovely preserved railway. It was a great to ride the steam trains through the countryside, and being able to stop off and explore the different stations that give a glimpse into days past. I visited for the retro road and rail though and this was disappointing: there were very few classic vehicles, and the '40s display at Ropley just consisted of a couple of American army vehicles at the top of the car park (it took ages to find it too as no one seemed to have a clue where it was, even the staff I asked didn't know anything about it, and there was no signage!). I returned for the visit of Sir Nigel Gresley, which was much better. Had a lovely day.

Private operated Steam Charter Train on the MHR (Mid Hants Railway) on the morning of Saturday, 25 October 2025, prior to timetable passenger service trains operating. An opportunity to experience and photograph railway scenes from a bygone era in delightful countryside, on a former section of the Southern Railway line known as ‘Over The Alps’. Credit to all staff and volunteers for maintaining and operating this lovely section of preserved railway line with hordes of nostalgia.

Went on the RAT (Real Ale Train) last night. Booked a private compartment for 6 of us including food. Very enjoyable evening. Some of the ale was a bit cloudy at times and the food wasn't able to be served on the train due to technical issues, but the ataff handle it well and were all very helpful. Other drinks were available, small choice but just enough to give some alternatives.

A lot to see and take in, both in the large interior areas, as well as small details and specific features as well as having a exhibit about the building's history. Worth a visit. Easily spent about 1h and a half looking at burrial sites, architecture, history and art.

A beautiful cathedral, worth a visit to see the architecture, carvings and stained glass windows. Jane Austen is buried in the cathedral with her memorial stone in the nave. Those interested in history will find plenty to see. Anyone in search of a peaceful place with find it here. There is an entrance fee but it allows free further visits for 12 months.

An amazing piece of history. We spent a couple of hours looking round. And they have a lift which is great for the disabled and extremely unusual in a cathedral. I’m not sure I agree with paying to enter however.

It is such a nice spot to just have a sit down, not very loud and obviously has a incredible architecture! During my trip to Winchester I stopped by here a few times - the inside of the cathedral is beautiful and worth seeing but tickets are overpriced. Also if you enjoy books, there is a great shop round one of the sides that has something for everyone📚

The guided tour that comes with the admission price is easily worth it. I was bowled over with our guide's (Michael) depth of knowledge and fantastic anecdotes about the cathedral. The ticket is open for a year. There's so much more to find out about this splendid building we will probably be back. Winchester's nice to walk around too. Probably best to avoid peak times.

The staff was really friendly and the cathedral is pretty big and beautiful, definitely worth the time. We chatted for 15-20 min with the staff member in the library (yeah they have an amazing library with beautiful old books) he told us really great stories and gave us some insights on how big of a work goes into working with these. The cathedral overall is really detailed and has an interesting story, it even has a small museum inside.

Highly, highly recommend visiting and taking the guided tour! The volunteers were enthusiastic, welcoming, and very friendly. There was so much history to see, including an exhibition. We had Robert Little as our tour guide, and he truly brought the history to life. He was very knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging in his storytelling! One of the many details I enjoyed was when he pointed out some of the different architectural styles, such as Norman or Gothic. Since the ticket is valid for a full year, he even recommended joining tours with other guides to get different flavours of information and perspectives. Overall, definitely a fantastic experience!

Local project full of middle age history along with the Round table. Impressive. Worth the visit and definitely worth supporting. We did the three venue option when buying tickets and thought very reasonable. Reccomended.

Definitely a must visit. It’s all that’s left of the old castle and dates back to the 1200s. The Round Table on the wall might not be from King Arthur’s time but it’s still really cool to see. Loved the stained glass windows showing all the kings and key figures, and the Norman medieval architecture is just stunning. It’s full of history and the whole place just feels majestic. We did the three venue ticket and thought it was great value. Definitely worth supporting.

Everyone focuses on the Round Table. That's fine, but don't skip the rest. The staff are very helpful and friendly, and quite willing to spend the extra time explaining the various tickets, what is where, and what the photography rules are etc. Do take a look at the garden, the giant family tree at the other end of the hall from the table, and the long gallery. The cafe is good for a quick drink and snack, but if you're planning on a meal, plan on a restaurant. That's not meant as a criticism AT ALL Just trying to help you plan.

A must-visit for history lovers! The Great Hall in Winchester absolutely blew me away. It’s one of the best-preserved medieval halls in England, dating back to the early 1200s. The architecture is stunning – huge Gothic windows, soaring stone columns, and a real sense of grandeur. The highlight has to be the legendary Round Table hanging on the wall, believed to have been built in the 13th century and painted during Henry VIII’s reign. You can really feel the weight of history here – once part of Winchester Castle and a key seat of royal power. Super informative displays, friendly staff, and a beautiful garden outside. Highly recommend!

Had a "touristy" day. Don't believe I've ever been here before. Now I'm wondering why not. Fascinating! Great to see the Round Table in all its glory. And for the pleasure of many a woman you can get fairly close to the costume worn by Colin Firth when playing Mr Darcy in the BBC adaptation of Pride. & Prejudice. That's got to be worth the entrance fee in itself!! Tickets last for a year so I'll be back in the next few months for sure.

Winchester's Great Hall is an awe-inspiring 13th-century survivor, the last remnant of William the Conqueror's Winchester Castle. Built by Henry III, its scale immediately impresses. The star attraction is the legendary King Arthur's Round Table, though dendrochronology dates it to the late 13th century – still, it powerfully evokes centuries of myth. This hall witnessed pivotal history: Sir Walter Raleigh's 1603 condemnation, the "Bloody Assizes," and once even housed the Domesday Book. Its magnificent hammer-beam roof and historical resonance make it a captivating and essential visit for anyone exploring Winchester's rich past.

A once great castle stood in Winchester but sadly most of it is long lost. The one remaining gateway is part of the ticket price for the hall. A large table sits on the wall called King Arthur's Round Table but it is much later than when he would have been around.

We have the tickets for all the places to visit for the whole year and will definitely come back to see more. We couldn't fit it all in one morning but we loved the Mary Rose museum and the new feature of the 4D small cinema on the top floor. We also visited the HMS Victory which is great too.

Nothing can prepare you for the spectacle of the ship. I walked into the darkened space and found a window to look across at this 500 years old ship. Rooted to the spot, my mouth went dry and for some reason tears started. What followed was an onslaught of sensory stimulation. You get an insight into the people who built the ship, the men that crewed it and the life they had. When was the last time you were THAT close to Tudor England, to timbers felled in the 1400's, to the pursers boots and the shipwright and carpenter that you can almost, almost touch and feel? Incredible. Not so incredible were the out of order and dirty toilets. Men and womens. Also, the tour guides need to hush up a little. Shouting instructions in a cathedral of Maritime Tudor times just isn't appropriate. Some of us want to drink in the place, in peace.

Fascinating visit. Guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Was somewhere I had wanted to visit for many years. Receives a 4 because on that particular day conservationists were inspecting the ship and so I didn't experience the videos or atmospheric conditions that I'm informed usually make it a more memorable and engaging experience. I appreciate such work needs to be done but perhaps outside of visiting times or slightly reduced ticket price on such days.

Me and my brother absolutely LOVED coming here and seeing her! The museum itself is HUGE filled with so much history. We love visiting places like this and seeing what life had been like, especially the first entrance with Henry VIII. We booked tickets on the day and didn't have to wait even though it looked a little busy! The queues were quiet!

My husband and I visited The Mary Rose Museum on 25/10, as part of a belated birthday gift - and it didn’t disappoint. We thoroughly recommend booking the 2hour 1:1 guided tour. The exhibition itself is amazing and you could spend hours inside as all the displays are informative and tell a story that captures the imagination. However, we were lucky enough to be guided by Bob- you’ll recognise him by his costume and friendly rat he carries on his shoulder - and Fred (as a bonus). Bob, although knowledgable about the history of the period, also had innumerable anecdotes up his sleeve. He’d thoroughly done his research and had met with people who’d been part of the original dive team, the team who’d brought up the Mary Rose and the crane driver teams. He also had a dry sense of humour. We were privileged to go behind the scenes and also handle some of the artefact's themselves. A truly memorable experience thanks to your magnificent guides who volunteer week in week out.

Over 20,000 artefacts and a 4D cinema experience, it is a time capsule of the Tudor period. This is an impressive museum, which includes the hull of this Tudor warship. You need an hour minimum, preferably 2 to 3 hours to see and read everything. Well worth a visit. Highly recommended.

An absolute must when you’re in the location. A truly remarkable survivor. The museum is different every time we’ve visited. So much to see and learn. The technology is incredible.

The ship is being renovated so we didn't get to experience the wind blowing through our hair whilst visiting, all the more reason to come back when it is finished renovating in ~10years! Audio tour was very informative and immersive!! The staff was ready for all the questions we managed to come up with and they were all very approachable! Special thanks to the woman that demonstrated how the canons worked back in the day on one of the few original cannons still aboard! We absolutely loved our time there and would have gladly spent another hour just talking to the great people on the ship!

It's always a 5* for me. I mean come on it's the HMS Victory. A beautiful part of English History. Horatcio Nelson's galleon. You have to see it to believe it. You also have the Mary Rose and museum and HMS Warrior. It's all set in an easy access area still owned by the royal navy. Parking is very close and great value. We parked all day and only paid £4.50. Various cafes and shops dotted around so you can grab a coffee or Beer.

HMS Victory is a legend of naval history – and seeing her in person is unforgettable, even though she is currently under long-term restoration. For the past three years the work has been ongoing, and it will continue for almost another decade, but this makes the visit even more fascinating: you don’t just admire a historic ship, you witness the painstaking process of preserving her for the future. Walking her decks, knowing this was Nelson’s flagship at Trafalgar, is both humbling and inspiring. Even behind scaffolding, the spirit of history is alive – a living monument to Britain’s maritime heritage.

Really fascinating to learn all about the history of the battle of trafalgar. There is an audio guide around the ship which is really informative. The ship is being restored so there is a lot of scaffolding. It was great day out.

What an amazing ship! How on earth was this built without modern technology is unbelievable. At present going through a lot of remedial work, but all decks are open to the public. See the spot where Lord Nelson was shot, and the place he actually died. Give yourself at least two hours to visit. One of the best attractions in the country.

British Naval history in a nutshell. Sadly dismasted and under wraps at present (2025). Very knowledgeable guides and lots of entertaining anecdotes for children and parents too. Watch your head in the narrow lower decks and your footing going up and down the ladders. There are no toilets onboard, known as heads on a Naval Vessel, but plenty in the main dockyard and other attractions included in your rather expensive ticket! Best o get a discount when available or buy an annual ticket as it takes many visits to get to see most of the attractions dotted around the harbour or in the Historic Dockyard. There is a golf buggy to transport you from the dockyard entrance gate, where your bag will be searched, to the main Victory arena. Or you can borrow a wheel chair . Mind out for the old railway lines though! Many places for lunch and seating for your picnic even a discrete garden behind Captain Scott of the Antarctic's statue. Good shops with a wide variety of relevant memento to be tempted by.

Was an amazing ship. Can't wait for the refurbishment to be done so I can see it in its full glory. Some of the decks are very short so watch your head!

Definitely worth the visit and the money. Got the ultimate explorer which allowed unlimited access for 12 months. 1. 10.15 to 11.30 am - HMS Warrior - (Definitely say hi to the lad on table 27) 2. 11.30 to 12 noon - snack break (better to carry snacks from home) 3. 12.15 to 1 pm - Harbour boat tour (included with ulimate explorer ticket) - they take you round the dock and give an overview of the surroundings There are tours every quarter past (10.15, 11.15 etc) 4. 1 to 1.30 pm - Mary Rose - I didn't find much to see here apart from the ship - the 4D cinema is not actually 4D, there are no glasses 5. 1.30 to 2.30 - HMS Victory- they give you audio guide to listen to 6. 2.30 to 3 - Lunch (fish and chip cost 15 and chicken cojouns and chips cost 13) 7. 3pm onwards rest of the places Had to skip water bus due to shortage of time, hence couldn't see the submarine and firepower museum. Note: if you are traveling with kids/elders be mindful because some of the steps are steep. Overall it was grand.

Great day out, but come more than once to see everything. If you only came once for a few hours, it would not be good value. The boat tour was great, really good commentary. Other boat trips to various attractions often full. Lots of places to eat and drink. Without fail, all of the staff are friendly and helpful. Only negative is that the only way to get a map of the place is to buy a guide book!

A great day out for all the family, particularly history buffs! Get the all inclusive ticket which gives you access to all the exhibits. Really, it can be a two day visit if you want to include the submarine and explosives museum and boat tour. Be aware though that the explosives museum isn't open every day.

We arrived at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with no real idea of what to expect – luckily, one of our travel companions knew exactly what this remarkable place was about and became our personal guide through history. The morning started with rain (as it should in England), but by the afternoon the sun came out, giving us the perfect setting to explore the ships and round it all off with a boat tour of the harbour. Standing on decks that once carried sailors across the world was both impressive and humbling – a living reminder of naval history brought to life. The whole experience was well worth the visit: history, atmosphere, and the sheer scale of the Royal Navy’s past glory. And as every proper British adventure should end – we closed the day in a nearby pub, with a cold pint and classic fish & chips. A perfect conclusion to a perfect day.

That's our second visit and this time we stayed for 4 days - which is necessary if you want to see everything and was absolutely worth it. It is really a great museum and the volunteers/employees are all very helpful and nice. The only downside is that it lacks documentation in French (and other languages) apart from the audioguide on the Victory. Being the only person proficient in English in our group, I've spent the four days orally translating everything which was a bit tiring :-D even though that's my usual day job - so I would suggest adding a few signs in other languages for a start.

Need more than a day to see everything. The Victory audio guide tour was superb, and the Mary Rose museum beautifully done. Cafe a little disappointing, no hot snacks on a VERY wet afternoon, fruit scone tasted like it had been on the Victory! Could do with better info on what parts were open or closed and when things closed that day.

A friend recommended the Dockyard, and it was absolutely worth it! We spent two full days there and still didn’t manage to see everything. The site is huge, with a 45-minute guided tour and several themed museums. The Submarine and Firepower exhibitions are located in Gosport, which you can reach by water bus, so it’s best to plan your time accordingly. Overall, a fantastic experience.

Decent medium-sized Zoo, with a wide range of animals. Giraffes, snow leopard, rhinos, Lemurs, ostriches, and more. Catering prices were reasonable. Layout not very intuitive though - plan your route around. On a fairly steep hill. Staff friendly and helpful.

Just got back from an amazing day at the zoo. The animals are so well cared for, massive areas which are all beautifully designed. All the pens immaculately clean. Every area well cared for. My children loved seeing the huge range of animals. The different parks kept them busy when moving around. The shops were reasonably priced so we got something there as well.

This was my first trip, and we visited as a large group but split up in to small groups. Tickets were pre-purchased in advance, which made entry quick and easy. There was plenty of car parking available. Staff I saw were friendly & helpful. Despite low expectations set by friends, I found this place to be fantastic. The animals appeared well cared for, and we managed to see all the ones we hoped to—and more. There are lots of picnic spots and climbing areas for children, which made it very family-friendly. Food and gift shop items were reasonably priced. The only downside was that it was a hot day and all the drinks we bought from the cafe there were warm due to broken fridges—an issue we were told has been ongoing. While this didn’t ruin our experience, it did feel like a waste of money. I’d recommend bringing your own picnic and would definitely visit again.

lovely day out with the little one. thoroughly enjoyed. lots of animals to see and lots of areas for the little one to explore. some food bars with "normal" food would be nice. chips, hotdogs, burgers etc. but bought own picnic so was ok.

What a great Zoo as Zoos go. Animals have plenty of space in their enclosures with many of them being out to be seen. The Lego feature currently on show is great with guess the mammoth bring much entertainment. The little zoo tour on the overland train is worth doing. Be prepared to walk a few steps and enjoy.

Really nice day out a lot of animals where not in the mood to be seen so was a bit disappointed but they are wild animals at the end of day so can I really complain no. We did get very lucky and saw the tiger but that was because it was feeding time which we had no idea about so if you want to see the tiger I would find out when the feeding times are. If you have bought your tickets from a third party seller you could be in for a wait on entry as they don't scan the virtual tickets you go to a separate area to have your ticket s hand written down so if there's a phew of you in the qué could be a long wait we went early so was not a problem. There alot of walking involved I was quite tired at the end which was good as I like exercise but if you have old people in your party I would suggest you use the on sight train (not sure if this is free) there is an old manor style house on sight but unfortunately it's badly in need of Restoration as at the moment the interior looks like a half way house for prisoners leaving long stay in jail very disappointed as it was once frequented by king Henry eighth and really should be more of an attraction. All the staff where friendly and helpful toilets where clean and in good working order and they sold some of the best ice cream I've had in a long time and it was reasonably priced top marks ! So was it worth ticket price yes especially if your taking young family members as it seemingly is more geared towards that demograph.

Had a brilliant day out here. The park is really well designed so there's a chance to see the animals from different sides. Staff are all really friendly and helpful.

If you are looking for quick trip outside `London that includes sightseeing and shopping, Gunwharf Quays is the place to be. Went there for first time to see the Clippers Race event, and was surprised to find its gem- the Outlet shops! I was able to shop whilst enjoying the sight of the gorgeous yachts. There can be so much more to be done however the weather was not cooperating with our plans that day. Overall, a nice place to explore and stroll around. :) Also, they have loads of restaurants to choose from, from fastfood, to pubs and dining.

This is a complex of designer outlets and other retailers just behind the harbour walls of Portsmouth. It is stylish and inviting and is a good shopping environment. Once you go out onto the quay you have spectacular views of the harbour, boats, ferry's and the Spinnaker towering above you. Whilst opposite, you have the 40 gun steam powered HMS Warrior from Queen Victoria's reign which is open for tourists to visit. A really busy and vibrant area with lots to see and do.

A beautiful shopping outlet, we enjoyed the stroll around the port aswell as the spinnaker tower then done our shopping. Great offers and pricing. Car park is reasonable price. Lots of toilets available aswell as food places. Lots of activities aswell for kids, mini port, train ride and even harbour tour boat ride.

Good place for wasting a few hours. Some great shops, and plenty of eating establishments. Good sized carpark with easy access to the shops.. some nice little touches outside too.

Gunwharf Quays is a fantastic place to shop, eat, and relax by the water. The outlet stores offer great deals, and there’s a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. The waterfront views and lively atmosphere make it a great spot for a day out. Highly recommended!

Such a great place to shop and have a day out. The restaurants are lovely too. We liked all the shops and also the cleanliness of the area! The parking is great and the layout of the centre is well signed on visitor maps. The views around are beautiful too so win win.

An excellent outlet mall. Very clean. There’s plenty of disabled parking with easy access to the shops. We spent a couple of hours walking round.

Loved this! Bought a day ticket, which meant we could go back anytime during the day. As it was a bright, sunny day, the views were wonderful. It was very busy in the morning due to school groups, I would recommend going later in the afternoon. Much less busy and a more relaxing visit altogether! The glass floor was fun. We had tea and cake in the cafe and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - we even forked out for the photos and have been able to download them at home as well. Obviously a sunny day helps make the experience better!

I was lucky with the weather and had gorgeous views all round. It was fun watching ferries and other shipping coming in and out. One ferry had some nail biting moments entering a narrow port area! Next time I will book an afternoon tea up in the clouds.

Worth booking at least 24hrs in advance on line to get a discount. Pay on the day is £18.95 adult price. Get the lift to the viewing gallery and see great views across Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. There is a section of glass floor you can walk over looking all the way down to the ground. There are stairs leading further up to the outdoor garden. There is a cafe in the tower or plenty of eating places in the surrounding area.

Beautiful view, blah, blah. It is the staff that make this such a wonderful day out. From the ticket desk, to the lift operator, to everyone in the Spinnaker Kitchen, every single team member we interacted with was absolutely delightful, smiling, helpful and lovely. Thank you to everyone who works there 👍🏻

I came to visit Spinnaker tower on the 17.10.25. I did not realise it was the towers 20th Anniversary. It was well worth the time and money being up in the tower was absolutely amazing, you could see the isle of Wight, Southampton and even Gosport. The view from up above is simply breathtaking. We will definitely be coming back during the night.

The Spinnaker is a great experience. The views were stunning. There was a lovely rainbow. I didn't dare to walk on the glass floor, it had several cracks in the glass.

Great, if a little pricey activity to include on a trip to Portsmouth. Fabulous views on all three levels IF you time your visit to when it's clear. For Best value book 24 hours in advance. The Coffee ☕ lounge on the middle deck is well worth stopping by. Team member Caroline, who was on Coffees during my visit, deserves a huge shout out as she is very customer focused, hard working and welcoming.

Had a really great day out in the gardens. Lots of lovely walking trails with fantastic views across the river. The gardens look very good even though it is the end of the summer. Had drinks and a snack in the old tennis courts. The restaurant looks nice as well. Ride on the steam train was very enjoyable. Dogs are welcome in all areas. You can also use the Gardener's World 241 card, what a great place.

Spent an absolutely cracking day visiting Exbury. It's an enormous site, 80-ish hectares. You can easily spend the entire day here exploring. Obviously, different things are going to be in bloom at different times so there's always going to be something interesting to see throughout the year. Paths are a mixture of surfaces: e.g., tarmac/pebble so book/hire an all terrain scooter if you or someone with you needs it. Dogs on a lead are welcome. Doggos are even allowed on the choo-choo (£7/per person extra). Loads of space for kids to exhaust themselves plus they have a dedicated play area and log trail. The usual amenities: loads of parking, restaurant, gift shop, plants for sale. Toilets are modern and everything works. Top tip: Gardener's World 2:1 is accepted and provides great VFM. Loads of activities throughout the year so check what's on via their website. All in all, a brilliant place to visit. Would deffo visit again...it must look stunning in the spring.

First time visitors to the gardens and definitely not the last! We booked the Halloween train and it exceeded expectations- the actors were amazing and turned up the scare-factor by jumping out and as my kids are age 10 and 13, so they loved it! They didn’t jump out for the younger children though so mindful of ages. The gardens are beautiful in their autumnal glory and looking forward to re-visiting next year.

We had such a wonderful time at Exbury Gardens. The combination of the beautiful gardens and the steam railway was perfect for me and my son. He absolutely loved the train ride, and we enjoyed the scenic walks. It's a great place for children to run around and explore. A truly memorable day!

Lovely visit at the end of summer. We were trained in horticulture, many years ago!! So we know our stuff and thought that Exbury was one of the best gardens we had visited. We particularly enjoyed the wide selection of trees. We know less about fungi and enjoyed seeing so many different varieties and were so lucky to have picked this time of year when we could see so many. We also enjoyed the specialist Nerine plant exhibition and bought a few to take home. We would like to add how lovely and dog friendly the gardens are too. A great day out.

Had an amazing day at the gardens today. Lovely walks exploring the gardens with my girls. There was a Halloween 👻 trail and the ghost train quite frankly was amazing. A reall treat there must have been a lot of planning and effort gone into this. Got chatting with Dave who has a real passion for his railway and engines. We’ll be back!

Have been when the gardens were in full flower so nice to see the changes the autumn brings. Train had been adapted to ghost train and the actors kept us entertained throughout. Gardens beautiful as ever and the Nerines exhibition was a nice addition to our day.

You need more than a day to explore everything here!! That was our only complain. It is a great place to spend time with kids. No water related rides/pools for adults which we found disappointing as we came prepared for one (without checking in detail online). That's why the 4 star. There's a splash area for kids and that's it for anything water related as far as I can tell. Would give it 5 star purely for everything kids related. There's lots to explore here. I read on one the reviews to get a packed lunch and I'm glad I read it and we did bring something to eat during the day which did save us some ££!!. We went on a weekday during the school holidays and it wasn't that crowded. Parking is hassle free and they guide you to an empty spot. We went to Peppa Pig World first and managed to get on few of the rides without queuing for long. We found this to be better than Legoland based on our overall experience. Would be going back to explore the unexplored sections/rides hopefully soon!!

Paultons Park is a beautiful, well kept and very themed in the seperate of areas in the park. There is so so many family rides what everyone can enjoy. The ride access pass was so easy to use. The food in the Route 83 diner was really nice. Amazing price value in the shop & food outlets. The toilets was very clean. If the rides are getting to much you have got the gorgeous well kept gardens and animals to walk round. Paultons deserved the best theme park of the year as I had no faults with anything. 🤍

Stunning grounds, went in the summer and it was beautiful just been now(end October)and the work they have put into the grounds for Halloween are fantastic, great to see all the kids excited even before they got to the rides... So clean, the ground staff do an amazing job.. Definitely buy tickets in advance. And I would advise to take food and drink with u as it is a bit pricey. It's a cashless site but you can get a card on entry and put cash on it

Great theme park, not only for younger kids but also for big boys along with adults. Went in Halloween and it was all Pumpkins everywhere. Nicely decorated, enough rides. Visited for 2 days with short break, but if either young or old kids only or if managed properly, all rides and parks can be covered in a day.

Ample free parking, easy check in, well done with the halloween theme, waits on some rides are reasonable. Their phone app is super useful showing locations and waiting times. Staff is friendly, rides are all safe, place and toilets are clean. On stage shows were entertaining. Great place for a family day.

What a lovely experience for my little man, even we the parent joined in and had good fun. The organisation was excellent, friendly people good atmosphere. The fact that you get to ride on all the rides and fun fair they have to offer.Definitely recommending and we will be going again that is if mummy pig decide to have fourth piglet

The rides are good, waiting times not too bad. A spacious site with plenty of places to get food and drink. Ive reduced by 2 stars as, when my son lost his phone on a ride, they couldn't be less interested if they tried. They said there was nothing theu could do and didn't take our details in case they did find it. I do understand that this probably happens all the time but also bit of compassion isn't hard. Won't be going back.

Amazing place! Came for my birthday and had an amazing time. Loved the vintage bus (Ellis was fantastic and credit to you) and very convenient for the mother in law who can’t walk very far. Very interesting on all aspects of the site from the cars (what I came for) and the Abbey and Palace House.

Always enjoy coming here, attended for the Formula 1 75 exhibition, but also had a look at all the cars on display. Enjoyed the monorail ride a look round the house and gardens, sad there was no classic cars out and about... Food was good and tasty 😋 Staff were chatty and knowledgeable and helpful. Overall a lovely day despite the weather

I thought it was a bit pricey to get in but we did spend most of the day there. We took the dog as we were visiting on our way home from holiday accommodation. The dog wasn't allowed on the bus, Monorail, main museum or house. Which meant I did a lot of waiting around with her. The cafe is expensive. £5 for a sandwich so would advise bringing your own. Tea for 3 , four sandwich outers and an apple juice, £38. The children loved the play area but we didn't take them to the house as we kind of ran out of time and wasn't sure how interested they'd be. They also enjoyed seeing Harry Potter's car and the, 'I had one of those' exhibition where you can get in the cars! The staff we came across were friendly and helpful. Whole area is clean and well tended.

I took my 6 year old daughter for her first visit (but far from mine) and she absolutely loved it! The weather held good despite the late October timing. She loved seeing Mr Bean's car and the Disney display but her highlight (and mine, to be fair) was riding on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The driver was a blast and it was so cool to learn about the cars that were used in the film, and wave at everyone as we explored the grounds. Beaulieu is one of my favourite places to visit when I'm in the UK and I think I can now say it is the same for my daughter. Very highly recommended for anyone of any age.

Visiting this week in half term , my son wanted to see a Porsche 917 so I emailed before booking to confirm the car would Be on display , very pleasant personal reply with confirmation. Don’t be put off with the price for the tickets . You will spend the whole day here so does represent great value for money . My children really enjoyed the “ we had one of those “ section as they could sit in the cars and experience the cars we grew up with . Only points to mention , we had coffee and cake in the afternoon , rather pricey & the cakes were dry and not great . Also a lot of tables left uncleared and in places food on the floor under tables .

This is always a great visit and if you allow 'Gift Aid' your ticket becomes an annual pass (with some restrictions). There's so much to see and do, it's well worth revisiting. There's a good café and on our last visit there were special additional exhibitions Formula 1 and Disney's 'Cars'. We and especially our grandson loved it.

Worth a visit and any number of re-visits - Visited on Saturday, 28/06/25. 3rd visit here and the first for about 11 years. Lovely weather, which always helps, and there was a Morgan owners meeting taking place, so there was more to see than normal. Parking is near the entrance, but uncovered. Bought the tickets online in advance, so you get a discount, and it's straightforward to get in. Once inside, the initial options are a Monorail and restaurant/toilet facilities. Very pricey for anything in the restaurant (£5 for 2 cans of soda), so suggest you bring your own. The monorail is an excellent way to get an overview of the site before exploring on foot, and the ride is included in the entry price and can be ridden more than once. The old Top Gear exhibition has been replaced in part by a new section of example cars from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's that you can get in and reminisce about (though these cars are in a bit of a state tbh). Beyond that, we visited the main museum, which hadn't changed much in the past 10 years, but had exhibits moved around. The F1 section was very good with more recent examples of cars, and whilst we visited, an excellent F1 Simulator which you can go in (you have to pre-book) for £15 for 15 mins. It's worth it, so suggest you book a slot as soon as you arrive. On this visit, we didn't have the time to explore the house and grounds, but there are some lovely walks to be had. The staff are all excellent and approachable, and friendly, and though I have been 3 times now, I would have no qualms about making future visits as there is generally a change each year.

This is truly a place you should visit at least once when in the UK. We had a short 3-day cycling trip here. Everything was wonderful — from the scenery to the people. Just a note: you should prepare an offline map before coming, as in some areas the signal is very weak and you can hardly use online maps.

The rebirth of Foxlease Park, nice to see it back up and running, volunteered here back in February? And it was just nice to see it with life and music... Nice little room in the coach house, could do with an extra pillow, but nice time.

Absolutely beautiful forest, we saw so many horses and lots of cows! We didn’t manage to see any deers. The views are breathtaking and there are many different routes you can take. There is some free parking near Rockford sandpit. You aren’t allowed to feed or pet the animals

The New Forest is a brilliant place for families, especially with kids. The free-roaming ponies, donkeys, and other animals make it feel magical, and places like the Wildlife Park add more chances to see deer, otters, and birds. There are plenty of easy walking trails too, such as at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, and lots of open spaces that are perfect for picnics. Camping is well set up with designated sites, ranging from rustic fields to family-friendly spots with toilets and showers. Wild camping isn’t allowed, but the official sites give you space for kids to play and a good base to explore. Shops are small village stores or farm shops rather than big supermarkets, and toilets are generally available at visitor centres, though sometimes basic. The park doesn’t really have a big lake for swimming or boating, and indoor play options are limited, so it’s very much an outdoor destination. If you’re prepared for nature, fresh air, and a slightly rustic feel, the New Forest is a wonderful family escape where children can explore freely and see animals up close.

Beautiful place to go loads of open spaces for people to walk and cycle. Large areas for children play. Beautiful river at brockenhurst where you can often see horses and foals, cattle and sometimes donkeys and pigs.

Miles of tall trees creating dense forest. The forest offers great walking and cycling paths which link together towns and areas of interest.

Gorgeous place, well worth a visit if you appreciate nature. The ponies are such a treat to see. It’s also great for beginner cyclists as it has the Old Railway route created by Cycling UK. I felt like I was in a renaissance oil painting at times because the sights were so beautiful. Make sure to get out early to admire the sights as it gets very busy in August.