Curtis Museum

The Curtis Museum sits in the heart of Alton, a converted Georgian townhouse that feels more like stepping into someone's prized collection than a formal museum. Inside, it's a proper rabbit hole of local history - Victorian jewellery, agricultural tools, domestic bits and pieces that tell the story of this corner of Hampshire across centuries. The ground floor flows nicely; upstairs you'll find themselves in rooms crammed with everything from Roman pottery to wartime memorabilia.

It works best for curious types who like a slower pace rather than crowds rushing through galleries. Families with children who enjoy a treasure-hunt approach to history will get something from it, though younger kids might lose interest after 45 minutes if there's no interactive elements. Adults interested in local heritage and domestic history will find themselves lingering longest.

Admission is free, which makes it worth a stop when you're in Alton anyway - perhaps after a browse of the town's decent high street. Allow an hour if you're thorough, half that if you're just dipping in. It's the sort of museum that rewards unhurried visiting; rush through and you'll miss why locals care about it.

If you're staying at Wigwam Holidays or Feather Down Manor Farm nearby, this is a sensible rainy-day option or a cultural breather between outdoor activities. Nothing fancy, but honest and worth the visit if you're the type who actually reads museum labels.