We went on a whim and expected to be there about an hour. We ended up staying much longer. The staff were all lovely and very knowledgeable. The food was reasonably priced and tasty. You could easily do everything in under an hour if you wanted, but to get the full experience I would recommend a slower pace. There's also a play area next to the cafe and an activity area for children inside.

We did the torch light mysteries escape room here and it was amazing. The grounds are lovely and they were setting up for a wedding in the cafe which looked beautiful!

We came along for a mosaic coaster workshop and ended up having a really enjoyable afternoon. My two boys (10 and 6) loved exploring, especially spotting the stamps and checking out the old machinery around the site. There’s plenty for kids to get involved with, which kept them interested the whole time. The volunteers were welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. The coaster making itself was great fun, and the kids were especially pleased to have a go at making their own bricks too. We also stopped by the café, which was tidy and comfortable. The menu is fairly simple, but the sandwiches were fresh and tasty. Overall, it was a relaxed and enjoyable visit that we’d happily recommend.

The Brickworks Museum, Bursledon – A Quiet Triumph of Industrial Memory Tucked behind Swanwick Lane, The Brickworks Museum offers a rare and dignified glimpse into Victorian industrial life—without performance, without gloss. It honours the labour, engineering, and quiet ingenuity that shaped the region’s built environment, and does so with restraint and clarity. The museum’s strength lies in its authenticity. The preserved machinery, brick presses, and drying sheds speak for themselves. Interpretive panels avoid sentimentality, focusing instead on process, material, and the people who worked the kilns. The display of regional bricks is quietly astonishing—each stamped with its own history, each a fragment of forgotten trade. Volunteers are present but unobtrusive, offering practical help and genuine knowledge. The café is modest, with good coffee and cake, and the site is clean, accessible, and well-maintained. Hands-on exhibits and play areas are available, but they don’t overwhelm the core narrative. This is not a museum that demands attention—it earns it. For those interested in local history, industrial heritage, or the dignity of ordinary labour, it’s worth the visit. Recommended for all ages, especially those who prefer substance over spectacle.

Wow, what an amazing hidden gem! Wish we'd visited sooner as so much more than my expectations (and huge bonus is it's dog friendly throughout). Very reasonable entry cost, lovely museum with loads to see and information boards to read ... who knew that bricks were so fascinating?! All the staff are super friendly and helpful, and all volunteers I believe. Amazing cafe with lots of indoor and outside seating, good menu of sandwiches, toasties, bacon and sausage baps, chips etc, and very reasonably priced. Picnics also welcome. Highlight was the old penny arcade, great fun changing a pound for old pennies and playing the old machines. The special Lego event today was good with lots of interesting models to look at, merch to buy and a robot wars style battle event. All in all, a fantastic few hours and we still didn't manage to do it all so will definitely return (only reason we had to leave was because we had a very tired puppy with us!). Highly recommend for everyone, especially families as lots to do for little ones to keep them engaged and an outdoor play area.