Milestones Museum

About

From cobbled streets to a seaside pier, teddy bears, vintage vehicles, an operating pub, sweet shop and more, there is so much for everyone to see, do and enjoy at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history! 

There’s no need to ‘remember the good old days’ – at Milestones Living History Museum, you can live them! 

In Milestones’ detailed recreation of life from the Victorian times through to the 1930s and 1940s, you can travel the cobbled streets of yesteryear. In the life-sized, immersive streets, you’ll find buildings, shops and vehicles recreated and restored as they would have been in olden times. 

Run by Hampshire Cultural Trust, the museum is split across two levels with plenty to see, do and discover for all ages. From vintage Thornycroft vehicles to the milliner, saddler, ironmonger and more, you’ll get a fascinating look at how people in Basingstoke and the surrounding areas used to live.  

It’s not just the buildings that will bring back memories either; for those with a sweet tooth, Milestones also contains its own 1940s sweet shop, Abrahams, where you can pick up your ration’s worth of niceties, or if you’re looking for something a little stronger, grab a pint at The Baverstock Arms! 

Milestones also has two further options for refreshments – a vintage Tea Tent offering cakes and a selection of drinks, plus The Rooftops Café, a larger space serving meals such as classic fish and chips, children’s options and lighter bites. 

There’s plenty for all ages to see and do, including a charming Teddy Bear Museum and a fantastic penny arcade. Stroll along the boardwalk, learn all about the history of piers and view the traditional seaside scenes. Laugh at your friends in the postcard-style photo opportunities and wacky mirrors just like you would at the actual seaside! There are vintage arcade games from claw grabbers and shove pennies to enjoy, plus Pac Man and table football.  

Enjoy many more activities and events throughout the year – from the infamous indoor Christmas Market to school holiday events. Visit Milestones’ event page to find out more.