Milestones Museum Jekyll & Hyde 2026 Review – A Strange Science Family Day Out in Hampshire

What happens when you mix Victorian history, some rather eccentric scientists and a mysterious science fair? You get a very unusual family day out!

We recently visited Milestones Museum in Basingstoke, Hampshire, for its Halloween half-term event, The Strange Science of Jekyll & Hyde, and we had a brilliant time exploring this rather peculiar world of Victorian science.

From strange experiments and entertaining characters to a few spooky surprises, there was plenty to keep us interested. And the best part? We weren’t just watching everything happen. We actually got to take part!

Stepping Back in Time at Milestones Museum

One of the things we love about Milestones Museum is how different it feels from a traditional museum.

As soon as you step inside, you’re transported back in time, with beautifully recreated historic streets, old-fashioned shops, cobbled roads and an impressive vintage tram.

It’s all housed inside a huge indoor building, making it a fantastic option for families looking for somewhere to visit when the Hampshire weather isn’t looking great.

For Halloween 2026, these historic streets had been transformed into the setting for The Strange Science of Jekyll & Hyde, an interactive Victorian science fair with some rather unusual characters waiting to meet visitors.

Becoming Judges at the Strange Science Fair

The story behind the event was simple but really good fun.

Four ambitious Victorian scientists were competing for the opportunity to work alongside the mysterious Dr Jekyll, and they needed visitors to help decide who deserved the position.

We were given a Science Fair Scorecard, making us official judges for the day.

Rather than following a strict route, we could explore the museum at our own pace, meet the scientists, investigate their experiments and decide who impressed us most.

Each scientist had their own personality and area of expertise, and the actors really brought their characters to life.

There were some wonderfully theatrical performances, plenty of humour and a growing sense that something wasn’t quite right!

Strange Experiments, Skeletons and Spooky Surprises

This was definitely one of the most entertaining parts of our visit.

We came across all sorts of unusual scientific displays, from shelves filled with mysterious Jekyll & Co. products to a rather gruesome-looking Victorian laboratory complete with a skeleton.

One of the scientists was particularly entertaining, demonstrating his knowledge of the human body alongside some rather questionable-looking medical equipment!

We also watched a brilliant science demonstration that sent huge clouds of green-lit vapour into the air. It certainly caught everyone’s attention!

Throughout the museum, we encountered different characters dressed in Victorian clothing, each adding something to the story.

What made the experience enjoyable was that the science wasn’t just something to look at. There were interactive activities, live demonstrations and opportunities to ask questions along the way.

It was a clever way to combine learning with entertainment without making it feel like a school lesson.

Was the Jekyll & Hyde Experience Scary for Children?

Although the event had a Halloween theme, it was much more about mystery, science and theatrical fun than being genuinely frightening.

There were some gruesome props, unusual characters and a few spooky moments, but everything was presented in a fairly lighthearted way.

Milestones describes the experience as spooky rather than scary, with activities particularly aimed at children aged 5–12.

We thought the mix of humour and mystery worked well for a family visit, although parents of particularly sensitive younger children may want to be aware of the skeletons and slightly gruesome displays.

There’s Plenty More to Explore at Milestones Museum

Another great thing about visiting Milestones is that there’s much more to see beyond the special event.

The museum recreates different periods of Hampshire’s history, with traditional shopfronts, historic vehicles and fascinating displays showing what everyday life was like in the past.

Some of the highlights include:

• Historic streets and shops: Wander through recreated Victorian and Edwardian streets.
• Vintage tram: Discover the impressive double-decker tram displayed inside the museum.
• Penny arcade: Enjoy a little old-fashioned seaside entertainment.
• The Baverstock Arms: Visit the museum’s traditional working pub.
• Rooftops Café: Stop for food, drinks and refreshments.

It’s well worth allowing some extra time to explore these areas rather than visiting only for the Halloween activities.

Useful Information for Families Visiting Milestones Museum

📍 Location: Milestones Museum, Basingstoke Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 6PG

📅 Jekyll & Hyde Event Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026

🕙 Opening Times: Museum open 10am–4:45pm during the event, with event entry slots available from 10am–3pm.

🎟️ Admission Prices:

• Adults: £19.50
• Children aged 5–15: £13.50
• Under 5s: FREE
• Concessions: £18.50
• Family discount ticket: £64.50

A useful bonus: Milestones admission tickets are valid for return visits over 12 months. Existing ticket holders can also attend the Jekyll & Hyde event without paying again, provided their ticket is valid and they book a visit.

🚗 Parking: FREE onsite parking. If the museum car park is full, additional parking is available around Basingstoke Leisure Park.

☕ Facilities: Café, pub, gift shop, toilets, baby-changing facilities and vintage arcade.

♿ Accessibility: Step-free access and lifts are available. However, some historic streets have cobblestones, tramlines and uneven surfaces, which are worth considering when visiting with a wheelchair or pushchair.

🐕 Dogs: No pet dogs permitted, although recognised assistance dogs are welcome.

⏰ How Long to Allow: Approximately two hours for the science fair, plus additional time to explore the rest of the museum.

💡 Our Tip: Book your visit online in advance, particularly during the school holidays, and leave yourself plenty of time to explore the museum’s historic streets.

Our Verdict – Is The Strange Science of Jekyll & Hyde Worth Visiting?

We really enjoyed our visit to Milestones Museum.

What stood out for us was how the interactive science fair made the museum feel even more alive. Instead of simply walking around looking at displays, we had characters to meet, experiments to investigate and a mystery to follow.

The performers were entertaining, the Victorian setting worked brilliantly with the Jekyll & Hyde theme, and there was a good balance of history, science and Halloween fun.

For families looking for something a little different to do during October half-term, particularly on a rainy day, we’d certainly recommend considering this one.

Even outside special events, Milestones Museum is a fascinating place to explore and a great way to discover more about Hampshire’s past.

Would we visit again? Absolutely!

Planning Your Own Visit?

The Strange Science of Jekyll & Hyde runs until Sunday 1 November 2026, so there’s still time to experience this year’s Halloween event.

You can find further information and book tickets through the official Milestones Museum website.

Looking for more family-friendly Halloween adventures? Take a look at our Halloween in Hampshire 2026 guide for more ideas across the county.

Have you visited Milestones Museum before? We’d love to hear what your family thought!

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