STEP INTO HAMPSHIRE'S PAST

LIFE IN PAST II

As you wander the streets, you'll meet our costumed characters. Many are dedicated volunteers, dressed in authentic period costumes, who bring Hampshire’s past to life through engaging stories and demonstrations for visitors.

OUR HIGH STREET

If you enjoy shopping, you'll discover what the high street was like before the arrival of modern chain stores. Browse the ironmonger's, gramophone shop, vintage car showroom and bicycle shop, each offering a fascinating glimpse into life in the past. 

Along the cobbled streets, you'll also find a traditional jeweller's, milliner's, post office and vintage camera shop, recreating the character and charm of a bygone era.

OUR HOMES

Take a nostalgic trip back in time to experience how families lived through the decades. From our authentic Victorian schoolroom to the homes and gardens of wartime Hampshire in the 1940s, and on to the vibrant world of the 1960s, discover the sights and surroundings that shaped everyday life.

OUR VEHICLE COLLECTION

For enthusiasts of historic transport, our collection features more than 40 beautifully restored vehicles, displayed as they would have appeared in everyday use. Discover everything from a steam locomotive and traction engines to vintage cars, lorries and bicycles, alongside the only surviving Portsmouth tram.