Hampshire Cultural Trust cares for the diverse Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council collections that reveal the rich history of the county and its communities, from prehistory to today.

Across the Trust’s museums and stores, researchers can access collections including archaeology, social history, decorative art, fine art, costume, photography and natural science. We care for thousands of objects and images that offer valuable insight into Hampshire’s past.

Whether you’re working on academic research or exploring your local heritage, the Trust’s collections are an invaluable resource to helping you do so.

To ensure sustainable use of staff time and collections, external research support is subject to charging. Different rates apply depending on whether research is supported remotely (e.g. email or online enquiries) or involves in-person access to the collections.

  • We are able to take bookings for researchers from Tuesday-Thursday in morning and afternoon sessions.
  • We understand that some enquiries may need to occur on days other than these and we will look to accommodate this when it is possible.
  • Weekends are unavailable for research enquiries.
  • We do not facilitate urgent or last minute requests.

Simple factual questions or general visitor enquiries that can be answered quickly will not be treated as research. However, email enquiries or viewing requests that require staff investigation, interpretation, or extended engagement will normally be treated as research, even where access is remote or limited in scope.

Before you submit an application please read our fees and frequently asked questions below.

Application

To start your research enquiry, please complete the form using the link below. If you have any questions or require assistance, please read our FAQs in the first instance. You can read our privacy policy here.

Complete Form

Our Fees

We operate a charging structure for research into our collections. As an independent charity, all income that we receive from research goes straight back into helping us care for our collections in all of our museums and stores across Hampshire.

Remote Enquiries

For remote enquiries we allow for 15 minutes of free staff time to help as best we can. After that we have an hourly rate of £30 including VAT per hour. 

Remote research enquiries include requests submitted by email or online that require staff investigation, interpretation, or checking of collection records. Things we charge for include: 

  • Background research,
  • Checking collections databases
  • Locating objects
  • Photography
  • Correspondence and follow-up.

In-Person Access

For visiting researchers to our venues and stores we charge a day-rate of £65 including VAT. Visiting researcher rates apply where in-person access to the collections is agreed, whether for a single day or over an extended period.

This fixed daily rate applies to agreed-in-person research access and reflects staff supervision, preparation, access arrangements, and collection care requirements. 

Unless agreed otherwise in advance, charges are applied daily to reflect preparation, supervision, and administrative time. As a result, the full day rate applies even where the visit is for a shorter period or part of the day.

Research Application Form FAQ

What is this research request form?

This form is a way for you to get in touch with us to express your interest in researching the Hampshire or Winchester museum collections. 

Who is this form for?

This form can be used by anyone, either in a personal, academic or business capacity, who wishes to research the collections.

I have a different enquiry into these collections, should I fill out this form?

If you have any non-research questions concerning the collections cared for by Hampshire Cultural Trust please contact us at collections@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk. For any image licensing enquiries you can fill out a request form here.

I am unsure which objects I might want to research and if you hold material relevant to me. Should I still complete this form?

Yes. Please give us as much information as possible to help us understand what you are looking for. We will then get in touch with you and work with you on your request.

Will completing this form confirm my order?

No, completing this form will simply give us an indication of your research, you are not confirming or paying for research at this stage. We will be in touch with a quoted price for this research and progress your enquiry via email.

Can I skip a question and how do I do it?

Yes, you can skip non-mandatory questions. Simply press the down arrow towards the bottom of the form to jump to the next question.

For Other Enquiries:

We are not able to support enquiries into the following: 

  • General local or family history, including background historical research not directly linked to our collections
  • Genealogical research, including tracing individuals or family lines
  • Regimental or military service history, unless directly connected to material held in our collections
  • Object identification or valuation requests, including photographs sent for identification
    • Exception: identifications relating to the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) will be handled through the appropriate PAS process. Click here to find out more about how we can help with this process.
  • Research relating to objects not held in our collections

These types of enquiries are often better supported by local record offices, archives, the Portable Antiquities Scheme, specialist museums, or independent researchers. 

You may also find information on parts of our collections here: