Come & get your Culture Fix: 7-Must Visit Venues

Expand your mind, deepen your knowledge and find a new perspective without resorting to Google! We are lucky to have some amazing cultural venues on our doorstep, curated by people passionate about where we live.

We asked our branches to recommend their favourite cultural hotspots. Here are their top seven star attractions.

1.     Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport: the stealthy, secretive world of submarines is documented in detail at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. Visitors can get up close to HMS Alliance, the only remaining Second World War era submarine, as well as explore vessels Holland I and X24. Make time for the two on-site two galleries, reading first-hand accounts of life under the sea and learning about the science behind submarines.

2.     Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower, Gosport: featuring a collection of original buildings at Priddy’s Hard that were used to store armaments and weaponry for over 200 years, Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower is a living and breathing testament to munitions and artillery. On display are cannons, missiles, torpedoes and guns, together with The Night Hunters: The Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War – a new permanent gallery.

3.     Living History Village, Little Woodham: set just outside Gosport’s centre is the village of Little Woodham. Here the Gosport Living History Society has created a living village that transports visitors back to the 17^th century. Walk around this settlement that nestles deep in an ancient woodland and watch blacksmiths, potters, weavers and seamstresses accurately portray how life looked hundreds of years ago.

4.     Bognor Regis Museum, Bognor: from humble beginnings to one of the South Coast’s most loved locations, Bognor Regis Museum tells a fascinating story. Nostalgia levels are high, thanks to an expansive collection of photographs, posters, local artefacts, items from bygone areas and scale models. The museum also holds regular talks, with experts covering topics as diverse as archaeology and pirates.

5.     Chichester Cathedral, Chichester: there is no better time to visit Chichester Cathedral than this year, as it marks the 950th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese of Chichester and the cathedral itself. Guided tours of this beautiful building take place twice a day, Monday to Saturday, while religious services are regularly accompanied by the house choir and organist. Its programme of events also features concerts, exhibitions and installations, plus there are open days during which you can spot the cathedral’s resident peregrine falcons.

6.     Pallant House Gallery, Chichester: a visit to the Pallant House Gallery is a must for fans of modern British creativity. Works of art and installations are divided between a Grade I listed 18th century townhouse and a 21st century contemporary extension, with permanent and temporary exhibitions always ensuring there’s something exciting and fresh to see. A visit is made all the more appealing by the presence of an on-site café and a bookshop.

7.     Haslemere Hall, Haslemere: this one-stop shop attracts culture connoisseurs from across the Surrey area. Haslemere Hall centres around a 340-seat theatre and cinema, with a licensed bar serving refreshments. It partners closely with The Royal Opera House and the National Theatre to screen films and broadcasts that provide an alternative to travelling into London. As a result, the ‘what’s on’ programme is diverse: a performance of The Importance of Being Earnest one night, Macbeth another and Swan Lake at the weekend. The latest movie releases, live music, orchestral performances, tribute acts and ‘in conversation with’ talks add extra variety.

If close proximity to cultural assets is high on your moving home list, let us know. We can plot your favourite venues and show you available homes that are in striking distance. Please contact your local branch for assistance.