Gosport Museum

Walk into Gosport Museum and you're immediately transported into the naval and military heart of Hampshire's waterfront. The collection focuses on the town's rich maritime past - ship models, uniforms, photographs documenting everything from Victorian shipbuilding to World War II operations. It's genuinely absorbing if you're interested in naval history, though if you're expecting blockbuster exhibitions, you'll find it's more intimate than that.

The museum works brilliantly for families with older kids who can engage with the detail, and for anyone with even a passing interest in military heritage. Younger children might lose interest after 45 minutes, if we're being honest. Admission is free, which counts for plenty, and you can comfortably cover the main galleries in an hour or so.

What makes it worth a visit during a holiday at nearby Kingfisher Caravan Park or Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is its proximity to Lee-on-the-Solent - you're looking at a quick drive or even a walk if you fancy it. The waterfront location itself is pleasant for a mooch about afterwards. Best visited on a quiet weekday morning when you've got breathing room to actually read the panels and appreciate the exhibits properly. On a rainy afternoon during the school holidays, it can get cramped.

Pair it with a walk along the seafront and a fish and chips lunch, and you've got a solid half-day activity that doesn't blow the budget.