Museums

Fordingbridge Museum

In the old market town of Fordingbridge on the Hampshire Avon, this small museum is housed on two floors of an old granary. Over a period of about 30 years, John and Richard Shering collected a large quantity of artefacts which they housed in a private museum open to the public on request.

These artefacts came from various sources such as shops now closed and house clearances and included obsolete machinery, Cobblers and Blacksmith's tools and several hundred photographs and documents. In its entirety, the collection provides a fascinating insight into the social history of Fordingbridge over the last 100 to 150 years.
Opening Times: Spring and Summer 11am to 4pm. Tel: 01425 655222.
Location: Fordingbridge - King's Yard off Salisbury Street
Fordingbridge Museum Website

Gold Hill Museum Shaftesbury

Gold Hill Museum portrays Shaftesbury's unique history, while its charming cottage garden offers spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale. Nestled in a traditional sandstone cottage at the top of the famous Gold Hill, made famous in the 1970's by the Hovis advert, is the fascinating Gold Hill Museum.
Opening Times: PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM - RENOVATIONS IN 2010. 31st March to 31st October - Daily from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm
Cost: Adults £2.50, Concessions £2.00, Children £1.00, Family (2+2) £6.00. Visit Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden also, and save £1. Group Booking rates available.
Location: Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden, Park Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JR - Tel: 01747 852910.
Gold Hill Museum - On either side of the Town Hall are walkways to Gold Hill. The Gold Hill Museum is at the top of the hill behind the Town Hall.
Gold Hill Museum Website

Royal Signals Museum - Blandford

Visit this fasinating exhibition and museum with lots of interactive displays and fun trails. Discover the fasinating history of the Royal Signals. The museum is the official museum of Army communications and the exhibits and displays show the part that communications have played in the many wars and campaigns of the last 150 years. The Museum collection is regarded as being of National importance and the excellent Archives are recognised by the Public Record Office. Lots to see and do.
Opening Times: Please see the website for special details regarding opening times and admission to the museum.
Cost: Adults £7.00, Concessions £6.00, Children £5.00, Family (2+2) £20.00. Group Booking, scouts, schools etc rates available.
Location: Follow the brown tourist signs from the A350 at Blandford - Tel: 01258 482 248.
Royal Signals Museum Website

Rockborne Roman Villa

Discovered over 50 years ago this ancient Roman Villa was a large summer house that still continues to tell a story. With a small museum you can also discover more about Roman life and their literarcy, architecture, bathing, dress, farming, trade and industry. Open: Apr-Sept, Tel: 01725 518541, Nearest Bus - 301.
Location: Just south of Rockborne, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

Breamore House Nr Fordingbridge

Breamore House is an Elizabethan manor set above the picturesque village of Breamore, overlooking the Avon Valley on the edge of the New Forest. The House was completed in 1583 by the Dodington family. It was purchased in the early 18th Century by Sir Edward Hulse. The House has been lived in for the past 250 years by Sir Edward’s descendants and remains very much the family home of the Hulses.

Breamore is largely unspoilt 17th century village with many old thatched cottages, and life in a typical village like Breamore can be relived in the Breamore Countryside Museum which provides a fascinating insight into the days when a village was self-sufficient. The museum boasts one of the finest collections of steam powered farm machinery, tractors, barn machinery and historical tools.
Opening Times: May to September Tuesday Wednesday Thursdays, Saturday Sunday
ALL BANK HOLIDAYS

Countryside Museum: 1.00 to 5.30pm
Breamore House: 2.00 to 4.00pm (Guided tours only, last tour at 4.00pm)
Tea Barn: 12.00 – 5.00pm which serves light lunches, cream teas, and homemade cakes.

Location: Breamore House, Breamore, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2DF
Breamore House Website

Compton Abbas Airfield

Particularly popular with walkers and cyclists visiting and touring the Cranborne Chase region this popular destination with amazing viewpoints offers a Licenced Bar and Restaurant with varied menus. Additionally there is an aviation museum "Flying Aces" which offers an unrivalled assortment of historic and classic flying machines and film memorabilia, all of which have been used in over 150 popular film and television productions. Tel: 01747 811767.
Location: Compton Abbas Airfield, Ashmore, Near Salisbury, Dorset, SP5 5AP
Compton Abbas Airfield Website