The AGC Museum

The Artillery Gun Centre Museum sits just outside Winchester and tells the story of British artillery from the Napoleonic Wars right through to modern day. It's housed in a proper working barracks, which lends it an authenticity you won't find in a polished visitor centre. You get to see actual guns, shells, and kit - lots of hands-on stuff that keeps kids engaged for a good couple of hours rather than just dragging them past glass cases.

The collection focuses on the technical side of gunnery and the evolution of weaponry, so it appeals most to military history buffs and anyone curious about engineering. Families with teenagers who've done a bit of World War Two history at school will find it genuinely interesting. Younger kids might flag after an hour unless they're already into military vehicles and explosives.

Entry is free, which is a bonus. Allow two to three hours to do it properly without rushing. The museum can get busy on school holidays, so a weekday morning in term time is smarter if you can manage it.

If you're basing yourselves at one of the nearby caravan sites - Holden Farm Camping (5.5 miles away) has excellent reviews and a cafe on-site - the AGC makes a solid half-day outing. Pair it with Winchester town centre itself, which has the cathedral and decent shops, and you've got a proper day sorted. It's worth the short drive from any of the local parks.