I'm perhaps a bit biased about this museum since it features the house I grew up in. However, I've…read morevisited it recently in order to entertain the kids, and my parents house didn't really feature in their opinion as the most enjoyable bit! I think the museum offers enough interactive exhibits to keep younger kids who will tolerate a museum. They show what life was like for soldiers over the years, there's a tank simulator (definite hit), a lorry driving simulator (not as good as it sounds) and a tunnel that the kids can crawl through. For the adults, there are easy-to-read panels enabling you to digest information about the hisotry home of the British army without going into so much detail that you get lost. Outside, and in the outbuildings, there are approximately 20 military vehicles including the impressive Chieftain tank, an old army ambulance and a couple of troop carriers (one of which they allow you to climb inside). If you're lucky, you'll see some of the maintenance crew working on a vehicle. They we're happy to answer questions and reveal the history of the vehicle. All in, an interesting place for the kids and adults who want to learn more about the history of the relationship between the army and Aldershot.

It was very intresting originally I wanted to see the airbourne museum but is now closed as is most…read moreof the garrision. Worth a visit.

Visited the museum while in Oxford for the day. Lots of history and neat exhibits to visit. We…read moresaw insects, fossils and tons of other things, almost too many to list. The day of our visit, there were a few schools visiting but everyone we encountered from the staff to the young preschool students were friendly and considerate. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Oxford.

A museum of natural history would generally be on my list of "museums I don't wish to visit" but…read morethe Oxford Museum of Natural History proved that I barely know myself. First, it's free of charge which automatically makes it attractive. But though free may get me in the door it won't guarantee I'll enjoy it. This museum isn't just free but it is also gorgeous and interesting, a real home run. And, in the event that Natural History isn't your jam even here, this place contains the portal to the almost indescribable Pitt Rivers Museum (also free). One of these is bound to be your happy place.

This is a wonderful quirky space. Like the attic of your eccentric uncle who travelled widely,…read morebrought back whatever he could carry, then carefully catalogued everything (idiosyncratically) and then left it for you to go through--that is, if your uncle was the entirety of the British empire. Can't say enough. You can spend days here and still be saying "did you see THAT?"

We had a great time exploring the Pitt Rivers Museum! There is SO much on display it's almost hard…read moreto take it all in. If you're an anthropology buff, this is your place. So many neat things to see and everything you can imagine, too many to list. From clothing to masks to weapons to toys all from different cultures and different times. We even saw a Totem Pole! Overall a fascinating place to visit, just wish we'd had more time to explore!

The Brits plundered many fascinating archeological artifacts from around the world, and the…read moreBritish Museum displays some of the most famous, such as the Rosetta Stone. Admission: free Time budget: minimum 4 hours Free WiFi is available Plenty of clean bathrooms Caution: The museum has no air conditioning. I visited during a rare heat wave, and the museum was a sweat box. Also, if you don't like crowds, you won't like this museum. It gets packed early. Pre-opening tour: The museum offers for UK $35 various pre-opening tours. I took the Greece pre-opening tour. Pros: Small group of 20 before the unwashed masses crowd into the museum. Tour guides are knowledgable. Guides may offer extra time at no charge (e.g. 15-20 minutes extra). Cons: My tour guide did not enunciate or project his voice, so much of the tour was unintelligible.

How is this place free?!?! As they state themselves, it is the greatest collection of stolen items…read moreanywhere...lol. Meaning there are artifacts from countries all around the world. You do have to register for timed tickets ahead of time to get in. We got some just a few days before and they didn't check for times as we were almost an hour late. It was super crowded and getting through the queue took about 10 minutes. Once inside, we knew we had to move fast since they close at 5pm and you could spend all day here. The information booth was helpful as they gave us a map with the option of hitting the highlights, which was perfect for our amount of time. The items from the Easter Islands were my favorite and the library room right when you walk in was cool too. Of course the Rosetta Stone was amazing as well! There is food and a gift shop inside so get an early time and spend the day here.

Housed in a grand and impressive building, the NHM is well curated, with impeccable displays, and…read moreit's free. However, a donation of £10 is HIGHLY suggested as you enter. As with all London museums, there is security checking all backpacks, but this museum was checking for alcohol! When you see all the school teens sitting on the stairways (perhaps waiting for parents to pick them up?), then the alcohol check is understandable. Out of all the displays, my favorite was the dimly lit Treasures room. Each piece exhibited tells an important story beyond what you actually see like an Iguanodon tooth from the Mesozoic strata and found by Gideon Mantell (or his wife) and the rivalry that ensued between Mantell and Owen, who later usurped Mantell's contribution in discovering the first known dinosaur species and shaping the early understanding of dinosaurs. While I find the digital text for each display as being the true treasures, only 1-2 people can read at a time so you feel a bit rushed if you're a person (like me) who reads everything, yet people are behind you waiting their turn. In addition to the wonderful displays, there is a photo booth whereby you can have 3 photos taken against a green screen depicting a dinosaur encounter. What they don't tell you upfront is that the photos are NOT free and can be downloaded (depending on the package you choose) from £12 to £22 pounds. When I asked the staff for information on particular exhibits, I found them to be more than helpful and friendly, too. Allow time for this expansive gem.

Lots of bones! Plenty of old stuff! Great turn-of-the-century over-the-top ornate architecture!…read morePlan on an hour unless you're hardcore. Ride the escalator into the middle of the earth to find out what music is playing inside. See extraordinary taxidermy handiwork. Even see a fake dodo bird thought to be an adjacent species that didn't exist. And if you like dinosaurs this is your Mecca. Just don't dare sit anywhere like on some stairs in the corner or some overzealous guard will kick you right out. But otherwise you'll have a great time. Also enjoy the outside grounds for a stroll, and hit up the West entrance for zero lines while the hoards line up on the other side.

The Ashmolean was a wonderful surprise during our stay in Oxford. I had heard of the museum and did…read morea little research so I knew what to focus on, but it far surpassed my expectations. There's archeological artifacts, art, and so much more from so many varying parts of the world and times. Best of all, it's FREE! If you're planning a visit to Oxford, carve out some time and be sure to visit the museum. (Great rooftop restaurant to boot)

Another great free museum in Oxford so worth the price! A great place to dive into art, culture and…read morehistory. The ceramics exhibits dazzled us all. We enjoyed learning about currency and there was a lot to spend time on. The cafe was also nice. The facilities were clean and the staff was helpful and kind.

This is a great museum for all aviation enthusiasts!…read more It is operated by the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST), which exists to safeguard and promote Farnborough's heritage in aviation science. The FAST Museum is adjacent to Farnborough airfield, and holds a collection of aircraft (actual and model), satellites, simulators and other unique material related to Farnborough's world famous Royal Aircraft Establishment. It also offers exclusive guided tours of areas of Farnborough's historic aviation quarter not normally open to the public (including a centrifugal flight machine and a wind tunnel: access to these is currently restricted because of Covid). It includes a replica of the plane in which Samuel Cody made the first powered flight in UK, just yards away from the present museum site, in 1908. Both children and adults can enjoy trying out a flight simulator: for children under eight, there is a simpler simulator: for anyone over eight years old, you can have a go on the Harrier jump jet simulator. It just goes to show that flying an aircraft is much harder than you think! The museum is free, and there is plenty of car parking. There is a small coffee bar on the first floor (no lift). The volunteers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable and very friendly. A great place for a couple of hours.

This is a very good little museum explaining what happens at RAE Farnborough up to the 1970 ish…read more It also has the biggest model collection of RAF aircraft from the first days of flight to present day. And best of all its FREE yes free to visit.

Okay, so this doesn't rival the big museums up in London, but it is a very sweet local museum,…read moreperfect for those days when you can't think of what to do, but don't want to travel very far. I've visited a few times, and found fascinating, if small, displays, each time connecting the time period they were highlighting back to how it affected local life. Personally, I think that helps to make it real for people, children especially, as sometimes history can seem to them as some big blur of back then Opening hours vary, so do call in advance, but I think you're safe if you visit on Saturday mornings, and admission is free.

Controversy surrounded the construction and funding of The Lightbox however in its first year the…read moreorganisation has shown its worth. A futuristic aluminium outer skin and an asymetric design (which has already won a couple of architectural awards) houses an award winning arts space. There's something for everyone here, be it an exhibition on the history of Woking, art exhibitions or even live music events. A cafe provides a relaxed atmosphere and an outdoor space on the banks of the Basingstoke canal. Children can find both education and entertainment in the education rooms. Visit for free although some exhibitions may attract a small additional charge. Jazz with Sunday Brunch (2nd Sunday of month usually) is particularly good and it's free. Don't judge by the outside or the amount spent - go see for yourself!

The Lightbox is worth a visit just to admire the building (which is, in my opinion, quite…read morebeautiful, although some appear to think otherwise). It has a shell of yellow-gold aluminium scales and the front is smartly wood-panelled, while the black metal gate is somewhat Art Nouveau in style, with a pattern slightly reminiscent of wild iris. There's a small courtyard outside with seating for the café-restaurant, as well as a charming and futuristic garden featuring some metal plant sculptures and small grassy domes. There is also indoor seating for the café. There's a small shop selling souvenirs, the work of local artisans, and books and gifts relating to the exhibitions. The Lightbox has several floors with various exhibition rooms. There is a permanent exhibition about local history, which is very engaging and features several interactive displays to keep children interested. When it opened, The Lightbox secured an excellent exhibition about the animation company Aardman, but subsequent exhibitions have been slightly smaller in scale and rather less impressive, although still worth a visit. Most are free to view, but one or two have a ticket price of a few pounds. A summer pavilion providing extra exhibition space is promised for the courtyard outside, which will be paid for by the recent Art Fund Prize that the gallery deservedly received. The Lightbox is a good place to while a way an hour or two on a Sunday afternoon, but beware: don't plan to visit on a bank holiday as it is closed on Mondays.