Milestones for Families

A trip to Milestones is an ideal family visit with lots to see and do in a safe, warm, child-friendly environment. Explore the cobbled streets and old fashioned shops, with a surprise around every corner!

Milestones is proud to present four new arrivals to the museums collection of 1930s transport vehicles. A trolleybus, an open-topped doubledecker seaside omnibus a Thornycroft double decker and a Tower Wagon join the traffic in Jubilee Street and Bridge Street? all aboard !

The first permanent home for the Tasker and Thornycroft collections of agricultural and commercial vehicles....... it is also the new home of the AA collection The Tasker Collection

Tasker steam engines and agricultural machinery are the first eye catching objects to greet visitors - Some are set in a reconstruction of the Victorian Anna Valley Ironworks during the Victorian period. Traction and stationary engines are also to be found in the Agricultural Showground.

Thornycrofts

The vehicle works that employed thousands of Basingstoke people will be remembered in two massive buildings based on those which could be seen from the site of the museum until they were demolished in 1995. A number of historic Thornycroft vehicles and Wallis and Steevens steam engines are on display.

The AA Collection

Tracing the history of the AA since 1905, the collection includes motorcycles, some with sidecars, reminiscent of saluting patrols, as well as other patrol vehicles which are British Classics in their own right. The range of memorabilia, from road signs and badges to uniforms and equipment, will appeal to any Milestones visitor with an interest in motoring.

Over 20,000 objects from the countys home technology collections are dotted around the museum and in specially designed display areas.

An extensive display of hand and electrically powered vacuum cleaners from the Baby Daisy right up to the modern Dyson.

Fascinating collections of domestic appliances and kitchen memorabilia, from wash tubs to washing machines ! The home was not just about hard work...... the Home Entertainment collections include family cameras, cine projectors TVs, radios and gramophones.

NEW: Finches Yard Collections Centre is the latest development to open at Milestones. The centre, located in the heart of the museums displays, offers visitors of all ages the chance to relax and find out more about the objects in the museum and the stories behind them.

The centre has a welcoming, relaxing feel in which visitors can take some time out from their visit and browse through a range of books and other resources. Milestones conservation staff are frequently on hand to answer visitors questions about the museum and its collections.

Opening Times

Admission charges

New! Annual Passes
Buy a Milestones Annual Pass and visit as many times as you like - all for a bargain price.
Annual passes are available at 13.00 for adults, 10.50 for concessions, 7.00 for children aged 5 - 15, and a family pass at 33.00 Prices valid until 31 March 2004

How to Find Us

By Road

Milestones is only 3 miles from the M3 on the Leisure Park off Churchill Way West in Basingstoke.

From Junction 6 of the M3 drive clockwise around the ring road to the Thornycroft Roundabout. Take the first exit into Churchill Way West (B3400), go up to and all the way round the next roundabout. Enter the Leisure Park via Entrance B and turn right. The museum entrance lies straight ahead.

From Junction 7 of the M3 take the A30. Follow signs to Basingstoke town centre and Leisure Park

By Train and Bus
Basingstoke Station is two miles from Milestones. A shuttle bus runs every 8-10 minutes during the day time between the station, town centre and Leisure Park stopping directly outside the museum. For further details ring 07753 719381.