National Army Museum
Royal Hospital Road
London
Greater London
SW3 4HT
England
Website
National Army Museum website
PR & Marketing
Hospitality
Education
General information
Telephone
PR, Marketing & Hospitality
020 7730 0717 x2535
Education
020 7730 0717 x2560
Reading Room
020 7730 0717 x2222
Fax
020 7823 6573
Discover the lives, legends and legacies of the men and women who have served in the British Army. Find out about some of the most remarkable episodes in Britain's history. We'll show you just how soldiers have lived and fought from the Battle of Agincourt right up to the modern day.
Venue Type:
Museum, Archive
Additional info
The National Army Museum’s Templer Study Centre offers visitors an unrivalled opportunity to explore in depth the campaigns, personalities and social history of the British Army.
Seating 15 Readers, the Centre offers access to the Museum’s collections of regimental and campaign histories, archives, photographs, prints and drawings, providing a rich picture of soldiers’ daily lives through the ages. Visitors can also draw upon the expertise of the Study Centre curatorial staff.
Users must be 16+. Entry is free. Visitors should bring two forms of identification with them.
Opening Hours 10am - 5.30pm Wedensdays, Thursdays, Fridays and the first and third Saturday of every month (except public holidays).
Collection details
Weapons and War, Social History, Photography, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Archives
Key artists and exhibits
- Visit the National Army Museum and find out how Britain's past has helped to shape our present and our future. Discover the impact our Army has had on the story of Britain, Europe and the world, and see how the actions of a few can affect the futures of many.
- See portraits by Reynolds and Gainsborough, a lamp used by Florence Nightingale and even the skeleton of Napoleon’s horse!
Jubilee: 60 Years of the Sovereign and Her Soldiers
Queen Elizabeth II joins Queen Victoria as only the second British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. Celebrating 60 years of The Queen's reign, this display explores different aspects of the relationship between The Sovereign and her Army. It shows The Queen not only in her ceremonial role, but also on active service.
Visitors can discover the historic link between the Monarchy and the Armed Services and how these traditions continue today.
This display draws on the Museum's collections of archive images and artefacts, including The Queen's ATS uniform.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
White Space
Admission
Free.
Website
http://www.nam.ac.uk/exhibitions/special-displays/jubilee-60-years-sovereign-her-soldiers
Britain’s Greatest Battles
What was Britain's Greatest Battle? You decide!
Exploring over 400 years of Britain’s battles, from Culloden and Waterloo to Rorke’s Drift and Musa Qala, this exhibition examines the key facts, impact and legacies of the 20 top British battles chosen by our curators. It targets how tactics, luck and innovations have helped the British Army scoop victory and where it found its fiercest challenges, opponents and bitterest triumphs.
Original artifacts help tell the stories behind these battles and the real-life experiences of soldiers on both sides who fought in them. Encompassing changes in warfare, politics and culture Britain’s Greatest Battles asks you to decide which one was the greatest test to Britain’s military and biggest success.
This exhibition is part of our Britain’s Greatest Battles online and event programme. Visit our website to discover more about these notable struggles and vote for which of the top 20 battles become the top five represented at our all-day speaker event which determines British Greatest Battle.
Don’t miss our online poll and exhibition www.nam.ac.uk/battles
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Britain's Greatest Generals
Exploring over 400 years of Britain's battles, from Culloden to Rorke’s Drift, this exhibition examines the key facts, impact and legacies of the 20 top British battles chosen by our curators. It targets how tactics, luck and innovations have helped the British Army scoop victory and where it found its fiercest challenges, opponents and bitterest triumphs
Suitable for
- Any age
The World's Army – Empire, Commonwealth and Dominion Soldiers
Explore the lives of people from around the world involved in the First and Second World Wars and the great advance made in technologies of warfare in our family interactive zone
Suitable for
- Any age
World Wars, 1905-1945
This gallery explores the role of the British Commonwealth's civilian armies and their defence of democracy during the First and Second World Wars, the era of 'Total War'
Suitable for
- Any age
Changing the World 1784-1904
This gallery examines the British Army's role in the expansion and defence of British trade, political interest, and empire, and its effect on the shape of Britain and the world today
Suitable for
- Any age
Conflicts of Interest
This major new gallery examines over four decades of action on the world stage by the modern British Army. Looking beyond the media headlines, it explores the conflicting interests of enforcing peace through a violent means, balancing global security with the needs of vulnerable communities and the demands of the job on the personal lives of our troops
Suitable for
- Any age
The Making of Britain Display
From foreign invasion to contests for the crown, from civil war at home to rebellion in the Colonies, this gallery investigates the Army's role in creating and defending the nation state of Great Britain we know today
Suitable for
- Any age
Kids' Zone
This colourful children's play area explores aspects of army life from camping to clothing and includes a dedicated soft-play space for babies, plus arts and crafts, dressing-up costumes, books, interactive toys and panels. At the heart of the new Kids' Zone are the six key principals of Early Years Foundation Stages, ensuring that children are learning whilst having fun. There are exciting objects from the Museum's Collection on display with lots of interactive models for children to touch and explore
Suitable for
- 0-4
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 5-6
Korea 1950 - 53: The Cold War's Hot War at the National Army Museum
Marking the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, this new display examines the role of the British Army during the first and only UN war to date. Mixing personal objects and artefacts from the Museum's Collection with contemporary media reports, the display will explore both the personal experience of soldiers and the far-reaching legacy of the conflict.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Free
Conflicts of Interest at the National Army Museum
This major new gallery examines over four decades of action on the World stage by the modern British Army. Looking beyond the media headlines, it explores the conflicting interests of enforcing peace through a violent means, balancing global security with the needs of vulnerable communities and the demands of the job on the lives of the personal lives of our troops.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Free
Destiny in the Desert: The Road to El Alamein
The British victory at the Battle of El Alamein in November 1942 inspired one of Churchill's most famous sayings: 'This is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning'. And yet the true significance of this iconic episode remains unrecognised.
In this talk, Jonathan Dimbleby explores the political and strategic realities that lay behind the battle, charting the nail-biting months that led to the victory at El Alamein in November 1942.
Suitable for
When
7-8:30pm
Admission
Ticket Prices
Standard: £10.00
Concession: £7.50
Build Your Own
This Father's Day weekend, bring along your competitive spirit and take part in our mini-build activities. From tanks to trebuchets, use your engineering skills to create magnificent machinery in miniature to compete for first place. Be inspired by the history behind your mini-build. Explore the Museum's Handling Collection. Tackle the rock-climbing wall.
Suitable for
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- Especially for children
Build Your Own
This Father's Day weekend, bring along your competitive spirit and take part in our mini-build activities. From tanks to trebuchets, use your engineering skills to create magnificent machinery in miniature to compete for first place. Be inspired by the history behind your mini-build. Explore the Museum's Handling Collection. Tackle the rock-climbing wall.
Suitable for
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- Especially for children
Spies & Spymasters Michael Smith, Sinclair McKay, Sarah Helm, and more...
Hidden deep within the daily workings of government is a secret world of mystery, danger, and intrigue. World history has been shaped by the dramatic exploits of those men, women, and organisations devoted to the hazardous tasks and undercover missions that are part of a spy's life.
Join us as we delve into the extraordinary history of British intelligence and lift the veil of secrecy on a world few ever see or know exists.
Suitable for
When
10:30am-5:30pm
Admission
Ticket Prices: Standard: £15.00, Concession: £12.50
100 Days to Victory: How the First World War Was Won
Employing the latest ideas and scholarship, author Saul David will explore the history of the First World War from a new angle and will reveal the key part played by non-British and non-white soldiers on the Somme and elsewhere.
Suitable for
When
7-8:30pm
Admission
Ticket Prices
Standard: £10.00
Concession: £7.51
Special Forces
From the daring Commando raids of the Second World War to the explosive emergence of the SAS during the Iranian embassy siege, Britain’s Special Forces are known for their adventurous and secretive exploits.
Often using covert hit-and-run operations involving small numbers of highly skilled men, those who partake in Special Forces operations know that their goals involve a high level of risk.
Join leading authors, historians and soldiers as we explore the remarkable stories of those who have served with some of Britain’s most elite Special Forces units.
Suitable for
When
10:30am-5:30pm
Admission
Ticket Prices: Standard: £15.00, Concession: £12.51
When Britain Burned the White House: The 1814 Invasion of Washington
In August 1814 the United States’ army is defeated in battle by an invading force just outside Washington DC. The US president and his wife have just enough time to pack their belongings and escape from the White House before the invaders enter. After tucking into the deserted presidential dinner, they then set fire to the place.
Drawing on a wealth of material, Peter Snow recounts the fast-changing fortunes of both sides of this extraordinary confrontation.
Suitable for
When
7-8:30pm
Admission
Ticket Prices
Standard: £10.00
Concession: £7.52
Fighting on the Home Front: The Legacy of Women in World War One
In 1914 the world changed forever. When the First World War broke out, and a generation of men went off to fight, women emerged from the shadows of their domestic lives. Becoming a visible force in public life, they began to take up essential roles - from transport to policing, munitions to sport, entertainment and even politics.
Former BBC Chief News Correspondent and bestselling author Kate Adie will chart the seismic move towards equal rights with men that began a century ago and asks what these women achieved for future generations.
Suitable for
- 18+
- 16-17
When
7-8:30pm
Admission
Ticket Prices
Standard: £10.00
Concession: £7.53
Catastrophe: 1914 Europe Goes to War
1914 was the year that Europe violently shifted from the glories and glamour of the Edwardian era to the tragedy of war.
Bestselling author Max Hastings will examine the formative sacrifices, follies and misfortunes that left Europe facing a horrific pattern of attrition.
Suitable for
When
7-8:30pm
Admission
Ticket Prices
Standard: £10.00
Concession: £7.54
Getting there
The National Army Museum is situated on Royal Hospital Road, directly next door to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Rail
Victoria Station is a 20-minute walk from the Museum. You can find London Rail maps on the Transport for London website.
Tube
Sloane Square (Circle and District Lines) is a 10-minute walk from the Museum. You can find London Tube maps on the Transport for London website.
Bus
Several bus routes stop within walking distance of the Museum:
Routes 11, 19, 22, 211 and 319 (King's Road)
Routes C1, 137 and 360 (Chelsea Bridge Road)
Route 170 (Royal Hospital Road, stops directly in front of the Museum)
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