Hampshire offers one of England's richest combinations of maritime heritage, medieval history, and protected natural landscape. On the Solent coast, Portsmouth preserves centuries of Royal Navy craftsmanship, from Henry VIII's flagship to Victorian ironclads. Inland, Winchester Cathedral anchors what was once the capital of Saxon and Norman England, while the New Forest preserves 900 years of ancient pasture and woodland.
Accessibility across Hampshire's major destinations is well documented: modern museum galleries and flat parkland paths welcome wheelchair users, while historic naval ships and ancient crypts feature original steep stairs and timber decks. We state verified access clearly so you can travel with confidence.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Winchester Cathedral require several hours each to explore fully. Consider basing yourself near Winchester or the New Forest border for relaxed travel between the coast and the country.
Day one — Portsmouth and the naval harbour
Step into naval history at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Explore Henry VIII's salvaged warship at the Mary Rose Museum, climb aboard Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, and walk the decks of HMS Warrior 1860, with accessible harbor tours linking the historic basin.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
A multi-attraction maritime heritage site covering more than 500 years of naval history.
A multi-attraction maritime heritage site where visitors explore more than 500 years of naval history through historic ships, museums and galleries.
Plan your visit
- Opening
- The Portsmouth site opens daily. April–October last site entry is 16:30 and closing is 17:30; November–March last entry is 16:00 and closing is 17:00. Individual attraction hours vary.
- Admission
- The current page lists 12-month unlimited access at £51 per adult, £36 per child, £99 for one adult with up to three children and £120 for two adults with up to three children. One-attraction tickets are £36 adult and £26 child.
- Booking
- Advance booking is promoted, but the operator says site capacity is rarely reached and visitors can enter within opening times. Tickets remain valid for 12 months from the selected date under the published terms.
Visitor information checked 15 Jul 2026. Opening and prices can change.
Visiting — good to know
Partial wheelchair access Accessible parking Accessible toilets Hearing loop Assistance dogs welcome Companion goes free — all visitors
Access varies by attraction. Some galleries and the Mary Rose Museum are wheelchair accessible, while historic ships include steep stairs, narrow routes, uneven floors and low ceilings. HMS Alliance and the waterbus are not wheelchair accessible; other component limits and lift outages are published.
For blind & low-vision visitors Historic ships can have low light, trip hazards and low ceilings.
Vision services HMS Victory offers touch and audio-described tours; the Mary Rose has tactile plans, handling opportunities and large-print guides.
Sensory The operator invites visitors needing queue or sensory support to contact the team. Some components have dark, cramped spaces and low light.
For D/deaf & hard-of-hearing The Mary Rose publishes audio loops, transcripts and subtitles in most areas.
Companion concession A companion accompanying a full-paying visitor who requires additional support may obtain a free carer's ticket. Proof accepted: The venue may request a PIP letter, DLA paperwork, Blue Badge, Carers ID or similar documentation.
Access last checked 15 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Portsmouth Historic Dockyard | Hyperlapse Tour University of Portsmouth Global
- Exploring Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard: Mary Rose, HMS Warrior and The Submarine Museum The Well Seasoned One
More Tickets · Venue access information · Wikipedia
Day two — Ancient capital and parkland wildlife
Travel north to historic Winchester. Wander the medieval Close to visit Winchester Cathedral — the longest medieval cathedral in Europe, resting place of Jane Austen and early Saxon kings. Afterwards, spend an afternoon discovering the parkland enclosures and conservation trails of Marwell Zoo.
Winchester Cathedral
A living place of worship and welcome for more than 900 years.
Winchester Cathedral has been a living place of worship and welcome for more than 900 years.
Plan your visit
- Opening
- Cathedral opening is Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:00 and Sunday 12:30–15:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. The Kings & Scribes area has shorter hours and depends on volunteer availability; restrictions can occur at short notice.
- Admission
- The annual pass costs £14.90 for adults, £8.50 for students and £6.50 for ages 12–16, with £1 online discounts; children aged 11 and under are free with a paying adult.
- Booking
- Annual passes can be booked online. Tickets are valid from opening time on the selected day and do not require a specific arrival time; check closure notices before travel.
Visitor information checked 15 Jul 2026. Opening and prices can change.
Visiting — good to know
Partial wheelchair access Accessible parking Accessible toilets Companion goes free — all visitors
Ramps and stairless routes serve the main cathedral and inner close. The Crypt is stairs-only; some chapels have a step, tower and roof tours require 213 steps, and Dean Garnier Garden has restricted entry.
Vision services A Braille guide and map, a 3D touch model and free touch tours are available.
Sensory Advance notice is published for events such as fire-alarm tests or organ practice.
Companion concession A carer or companion accompanying a general-admission visitor does not pay. Proof accepted: A carer ID card is accepted but is not required.
Access last checked 15 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Winchester Cathedral | Exploring The Longest Medieval Cathedral In The World! Walking The Wyrd
- Winchester Cathedral 🏴 4K England Travel Vlog Walking Tour Little Happy Travels
More Tickets · Venue access information · Wikipedia
Marwell Zoo
A 140-acre zoo in Hampshire parkland.
A 140-acre zoo in Hampshire parkland.
Plan your visit
- Opening
- Open all year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The current calendar lists 10:00–17:00 daily from 13 July to 1 November 2026; last entry is 90 minutes before closing and animal houses begin closing 30 minutes before the park.
- Admission
- For 27 March–1 November 2026, peak advance admission including donation is £29 adult, £25 child aged 2–15 and £26 student; under-2s and eligible carers are free. On-the-day peak prices are higher.
- Booking
- Advance online booking is recommended for the best price; day tickets are also available on arrival. Online bookings are non-transferable and non-refundable; annual members do not need to pre-book.
- Allow
- Allow at least four to five hours.
Visitor information checked 15 Jul 2026. Opening and prices can change.
Visiting — good to know
Partial wheelchair access Accessible parking Accessible toilets Changing Places toilet Hearing loop Assistance dogs welcome Companion goes free — all visitors
The outdoor zoo has hills; a road train assists visitors who have difficulty with the climb and alternative viewpoints are available. Manual wheelchairs and scooters require advance booking and conditions apply.
Sensory Quiet areas, temporary indoor quiet spaces by arrangement, a quieter anti-clockwise route and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower support are published.
For D/deaf & hard-of-hearing Hearing loops are available at admissions, reception and the gift shop; Makaton symbols are used in Café Graze.
Companion concession One carer is admitted free with one paying visitor who has accessibility needs. Proof accepted: Accepted proof includes Compass or i-go cards, disability-support letters, PIP or DLA documents, Access Card, Yellow Card, DID card, specified travel or leisure cards, a Blue Badge photo, or a Gateway card with the original email and digital card.
Access last checked 15 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
More Tickets · Venue access information · Wikipedia
Day three — New Forest, Palace House and woodland steam
Head into the heart of the New Forest National Park. Discover over a century of motoring history, Palace House and ruined 13th-century cloisters at Beaulieu, followed by a tranquil afternoon exploring the world-renowned woodland collections and narrow-gauge steam railway at Exbury Gardens.
Beaulieu
A New Forest attraction combining the National Motor Museum, Palace House, gardens and Beaulieu Abbey.
A New Forest attraction combining the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey, exhibitions and rides.
Plan your visit
- Opening
- Open daily from 10:00 except Christmas Day. Closing is 18:00 from 25 May to 15 September and 17:00 at other times.
- Admission
- For 25 June–1 September 2026, summer adult admission is £27.56 on the day or £24.80 in advance; ages 4–16 are £16.19 or £14.57 and under-4s are free. Higher prices are published for visits from 2 September.
- Booking
- Advance online booking is recommended for the best price, but tickets can be bought on arrival. Standard advance tickets are non-refundable and cannot be moved or exchanged.
Visitor information checked 15 Jul 2026. Opening and prices can change.
Visiting — good to know
Partial wheelchair access Accessible parking Accessible toilets Hearing loop Assistance dogs welcome Companion goes free — all visitors
Most of the site is accessible and mainly tarmac, but short gravel or shingle sections remain. Palace House upper floor has no lift, the upper Domus requires stairs, and the Monorail and Veteran Bus have boarding restrictions.
Vision services Large-print visitor information and a bookable National Motor Museum touch tour are available.
Sensory Picturepath is offered for pre-visit planning.
For D/deaf & hard-of-hearing Induction loops are available in key areas and transcripts are available for film and video.
Companion concession A personal assistant accompanying a disabled visitor receives free entry.
Access last checked 15 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Discover Beaulieu: Museum, Monorail, Abbey & Gardens Spectrum Walking Tours
More Tickets · Venue access information · Wikipedia
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
A 200-acre New Forest woodland garden with more than 22 miles of paths and a steam railway.
A 200-acre New Forest woodland garden with more than 22 miles of paths, seasonal rhododendron and azalea collections and a steam railway.
Plan your visit
- Opening
- Open daily until 31 October, 10:00–17:30, with last admission at 16:30. The standard steam-train timetable lists six departures from 11:00 to 15:00.
- Admission
- For 1 July–1 September 2026, discounted online standard admission is £11.42 adult, £5.12 child aged 3–15 and £31.42 family; under-3s are free. Prices rise from 2 September. Steam Railway tickets are separate.
- Booking
- Tickets can be bought on the day; advance online booking gives a 10% discount. Cash is not accepted. Railway travel requires both valid garden admission or membership and a separate train ticket.
Visitor information checked 15 Jul 2026. Opening and prices can change.
Memberships and passes
- RHS — restrictions apply: RHS members receive free garden entry in March, June and September. Official terms (checked 15 Jul 2026)
Visiting — good to know
Partial wheelchair access Accessible parking Accessible toilets Companion goes free — all visitors
A wide tarmac drive links the central garden and American Garden, while secondary paths are compacted gravel. Pneumatic-tyre wheelchairs and paid scooters are available; the railway has four adapted wheelchair carriages.
Companion concession A carer accompanying a visitor receives free garden admission; free railway admission is not established.
Access last checked 15 Jul 2026 — always confirm with the venue.
Worth watching
- Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway. Day 6 of our New Forest Holiday (Aug 2022) The Travels of Dons and Dins
- EXBURY GARDENS & STEAM RAILWAY (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK) (4K) Dave Ford (Dave's Countryside Walks)
- I visit Exbury Gardens in my powered wheelchair! AccessAdvisr
More Tickets · Venue access information · Wikipedia
Before you set off
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Beaulieu offer advance ticket savings online. In the New Forest, remember that livestock have right of way on all forest unfenced roads; observe the 40 mph speed limits strictly. Open the Roam Pal planner to craft your own Hampshire route with tailored accessibility filters.\n