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.

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.

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.

For only £3.50 admission to this large former aircraft hangar that is on the site of the former…read moreWoodley Aerodrome, you have the opportunity to see aviation history going back to WWI and up to quite recent technologies. Chock full of aircraft, both full size restorations and many model dioramas and walls covered in articles, stories and various implements of flying history. There are also two full-size planes parked outside which may or may not be visitable depending on weather and mood. There is also a small jet "trainer" suitable for children to ride and play with, supervised carefully by staff. A nice visit for kids, if they are interested in planes and flying, and especially if it is part of a school project. This one has been in my bookmarks list for a few months and only now with my bicycle have I been able to make the trip. It was well worth the wait.

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!

What you think of Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum likely depends on how you like your museums. With…read moremore than 500,000 objects on display, Pitt Rivers is ripe for exploration. There's multi-level display cases everywhere, each seemingly containing more than the last. And don't get me started on the drawers; they're everywhere too, and when you pull them out you'll find hundreds more items in each. So if you like your museums with a few paintings on each wall this might not be your jam but you'll still probably be happy you went. You've likely never seen anything like this. A young woman in a shop mentioned, several days before my visit, that she particularly liked this museum and the way she described the entrance intrigued me. As it should: the entrance to this museum is found when you're already inside another museum (The Museum of Natural History; both are free of charge). Officially, the Pitt Rivers Museum displays both the archeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford. But unofficially, it's like entering someone's giant garage, very well organized but also packed to the rafters. One could spend months in here and only skim the surface.

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.

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.

Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free…read more This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up.

British Museum, London, April 5…read more Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 spent part of the afternoon at the British Museum as an easy cultural stop during our London stay. Entry to the permanent collection is free and straightforward, with no reservation required, which made it simple to drop in. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main museum itself is open access. Arrival and First Impressions Entry to the building was very easy, and once inside the scale is immediate. The Great Court sets the tone right away, and everything feels larger and more layered than expected. Even just orienting yourself takes a moment because of how expansive the space is. Getting in was smooth and flexible, and the museum handles steady crowds well without ever feeling restrictive, which helped a lot with kids in tow. The Highlights The Egyptian galleries are one of the first moments where the scale really lands. The large stone sculptures and statues are far bigger in person than photos suggest, and they create a dramatic backdrop as you move through the space. The Rosetta Stone was another key highlight. Seeing it in person adds a different level of context, especially knowing its role in unlocking ancient Egyptian writing. It is not large or flashy compared to some of the other artifacts in the room, but it carries a quiet importance that draws attention naturally. The Samurai exhibition was a standout and required a paid entry ticket. It was absolutely worth it. The display of full armor sets, helmets, weapons, and artwork created a complete and visually rich picture of samurai life. The craftsmanship in the armor in particular held everyone's attention far longer than expected, and it felt more immersive than a typical museum exhibit. We also spent time in the hands-on style learning stations, which were a strong break in pace. These included real artifacts like a flint knife that was thousands of years old and a Roman cosmetic jar believed to have been used for eye makeup. Seeing objects like that up close made history feel very tangible for the kids in a way that glass cases alone do not. There is also a family area tucked away downstairs that worked well as a short reset point. It felt quieter and more relaxed, and it gave the kids a chance to decompress before continuing, which made the overall visit more sustainable. The museum works best as a series of short, flexible stops rather than a structured route, and we naturally moved based on interest and energy levels. The Challenges The main challenge is scale. It is very easy to underestimate how large the British Museum is, and even with breaks built in, pacing becomes the key factor in how enjoyable the visit feels. Trying to cover too much quickly would likely be overwhelming, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, but with a more focused plan and specific sections chosen in advance rather than trying to see everything broadly again. Final Thoughts The British Museum is best experienced in segments rather than as a single continuous visit. The Egyptian galleries, the Rosetta Stone, the Samurai exhibition, and the hands-on artifact stations all offered very different but equally strong experiences. It is free, accessible, and incredibly rich, but the real value comes from slowing down and treating it like a collection of smaller discoveries, with breaks built in, rather than a single museum to "finish."