The Diving Museum

The Diving Museum sits inside a Victorian coastal defence battery overlooking the Solent and the Isle of Wight. It traces the history of diving from early helmets and bells through to military, commercial, scientific and recreational equipment, and it displays the prototype helmet used by the Deane brothers. Families can see the old diving suits and chambers up close, and the museum runs a children's learning zone with puzzles and fact-based activities. Volunteer guides, many of whom have dived the equipment themselves, are happy to explain the exhibits. The museum is small, so a visit suits a relaxed hour or two, and it sits near a long pebble beach for a walk afterwards. It is run by a historical society as a charity and is affiliated with the National Museum of the Royal Navy.