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Cultural Trips Out for the Elderly in Hampshire

Looking for accessible culture to enjoy in Hampshire? The county has loads to offer for those who appreciate the arts and nature, from beautiful National Trust properties to cinemas with Silver Screenings, there are plenty of attractions across Hampshire, many of which have special measures in place to allow for everyone to enjoy.

You may also be interested in our guide to the Top 5 Accessible Days Out in Hampshire for the Elderly.

The Best National Trust Properties to Visit in Hampshire

Cultural Days Out in Hampshire

National Trust-owned venues in Hampshire offer a wealth of exhibitions, stunning seasonal gardens and unusual buildings to be explored. Age Space have put together our favourite estates that have great accessibility.

Please note that there is no elderly discount available for one-off National Trust visits, but it may be worth considering investing in a National Trust membership for free entry and free parking at all National Trust grounds all year round. Seniors will be able to get 25% off of their membership cost after three consecutive years.

Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey

Mottisfont, National Trust: HampshireMottisfont is a romantic, 18th-century house with a medieval priory at its heart. The house is set in beautiful riverside gardens with ancient trees and well kept, rolling lawns. The site also has a permanent 20th century art collection, popular with art enthusiast visitors.

Assistance and guide dogs are welcome everywhere, including the house, shop, cafรฉs and gardens. Induction loops for the hard of hearing are available at till points in the Welcome Centre, shop and cafรฉs across the site.

Electric mobility buggies are available within the grounds, driven by trained volunteers and staff. One of these buggies is adapted to accommodate wheelchair users.ย Wheelchairs and motor-powered buggies are welcome inside the house. Please ring ahead if you require buggy assistance on your trip.

Prices

The cost of entry varies seasonally.

Opening Hours

Opening Times also vary seasonally.

Parking

Car parking is free for all visitors and there is a designated access car park with 20 spaces located close to the accessible ramp into the Welcome Centre.

The Vyne, Basingstoke

A former Tudor stronghold turned 17th-century family home. The Vyne is set in impressive gardens, woodlands and wetlands. You can take in historic gems, including a pre-Reformation chapel, Tudor oak gallery with 16th-century wood carvings and a neoclassical staircase hall.ย 

Furthermore, there is a stunning Summerhouse Garden and 600 year old oak tree which has overseen the comings and goings of many famous people including Henry VIII and Jane Austen.

Hearing loops and manual wheelchairs are available in the Visitor Reception and assistance dogs are welcome all over the site, as long as they are well-trained.

Prices

Admission Prices vary seasonally.

Opening Hours

Opening Times also vary seasonally.

Parking

There are six parking spaces for Blue Badge Holders.

The Needles Old Battery & New Battery, Isle of Wight

The Needles Isle of Wight  - Accessible Days out in SuffolkThe iconic Needle Rocks and coloured sounds are often considered the landmark attraction on the Isle of Wight. The National Trust site offers spectacular views of the Needles and a bird’s-eye view of the Solent – as far as Dorset on a clear day!

The Old Battery is a Victorian fort built in 1862 to defend the Isle of Wight in the event of enemy ships attacking. It was called into action for both World Wars and the Battery museum exhibits what it was like to work in the war from many perspectives, from a Victorian gunner through to a Second World War officer.

Further up the headland stands the New Battery. There is a small exhibition revealing the astonishing and little-known story of Britain’s Cold War ‘race for space’. British-made rockets were tested here, extremely covertly.

On the cliff-top, there is a 1940s themed tea-room offering a freshly cooked, seasonal menu with soups, sandwiches, lunches, cakes, and drinks. The tea-room stops serving everyday throughout the year at 5:00pm.

Due to the nature of the coastal countryside and age of the buildings, accessibility in some areas of the site is limited. However, the Trust have a comprehensive Access Plan, outlining how many areas have been made wheelchair friendly. Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere on site and your elderly relative can safely enjoy the view and team-room, if they are unable to access some parts of the battery.

Prices
  • Adult: ยฃ7.50
  • Child: ยฃ3.75
  • Members: Free
Opening Hours

Opening Times vary seasonally.

Parking

There is a limited amount of disabled parking that can be arranged by calling the number below.

The Best English Heritage Sites to Visit in Hampshire

There are also a number of great English Heritage sites across Hampshire. Much like the National Trust, English Heritage run a membership scheme that allows for free access to their sites, which also offers a senior concession. You can find more details on how to become an English Heritage member, here.

Osborne, Isle of Wight

Osborne House, Cultural attraction on Isle of Wight

Osborne was home to Queen Victoria’s family holiday retreat. It has been beautifully preserved since the Victorian era, allowing an incredible insight into royal family life. You can see inside Victoria and Albert’s private apartments, their bathing beach and children’s play areas. The garden terraces have views across the Solent and are said to have reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples.

Osborne has extended accessibility measures in place to ensure it can be enjoyed by all. For older visitors, including those in wheelchairs, there are lifts, ramps and handrails to help get around the house. Assistance dogs are welcome across the site and induction loops are available at the admission centre for the hard of hearing.

Prices
  • Adult: ยฃ23.60
  • Child (5-17): ยฃ14.50
  • Over 65s: ยฃ20.90
Opening Hours

Opening Times vary seasonally.

Parking

Free parking is available 50 meters from the reception centre. At busier times, there is additional parking a further 230 meters from the house entrance.

  • Address: York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6JT
  • Telephone: 0370 333 1181
  • Visit Website

The Grange at Northington

Set in a landscape park, the Grange is the most prominent example of Greek revival architecture in England. Although you can not access inside the house, you can marvel at what seems like an ancient Greek temple from the beautiful countryside surroundings. The site also hosts operas and The Grange Festival.

In terms of access, the floors are mostly even and suitable for aided wheelchairs. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Prices

Free!

Opening Hours

Opening Times vary seasonally.

Parking

Car park with free parking.

Silver Screenings at Local Cinemas in Hampshire

ODEON Silver Cinema

Odeon Silver Screenings in Hampshire

ODEON offer the Silver Cinema service at three cinemas across Hampshire. These are film screenings that are available to guests over 55, with discounted tickets from ยฃ3.50 and tea, coffee and biscuits served before the film. All genres of film are shown, including the latest talk-of-the-town releases and critically acclaimed classics. Silver Cinema screenings are available in the following Hampshire ODEON cinemas:

Harbour Lights Picture House, Southampton

Elderly Friendly Cinemas in Hampshire - PicturehouseHarbour Lights have accessibility measures in place to make sure the cinema is available for all to enjoy. Disabled facilities and lifts are available to help wheelchair users navigate the building.

Advance booking is recommended so that staff can readily provide assistance if required. Wheelchair spaces or any seats you feel would be better for your elderly relative can be reserved by contacting them and well-behaved assistance dogs are welcome in all areas.

There are three blue-badge parking spaces at the front of the cinema and another space at the rear parking area. There is also a ramp to give easy access to the entrance.

Accompanying carers are eligible for a free ticket. The cinema accepts the CEA card – a national initiative that offers a free ticket to carers/companions that take disabled guests to the cinema. To find out more about this scheme and apply for a card, click here. If you do not have a CEA card, it is not a problem – you can arrange your free ticket by calling the Accessibility Helpline.