National Army Museum

Sightseeing attraction | London | England | United Kingdom

Explore British military history

The National Army Museum in London is an outstanding institution that provides a deep insight into the history, heritage, and development of the British Army. It is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in military history, the role of the military in society, and the history of Britain in general. The museum is one of the most significant museums of military history in the UK, offering an extensive collection of artifacts, exhibitions, and interactive displays that illustrate the lives and experiences of soldiers throughout the centuries.

Interactive exhibits at National Army Museum

The National Army Museum covers a wide range of topics, from the early days of the British Army to modern military deployments. It showcases Britain's military history, from the Napoleonic Wars to modern conflicts such as the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan. The exhibitions not only cover warfare, but also the strategic, political, and social impacts of wars on society.

Understanding significance of British Army

One of the museum's particular strengths is its ability to tell the personal stories of soldiers and those connected to the army. Using a variety of artifacts, uniforms, and diaries, the museum sheds light on the everyday lives of soldiers and the often dramatic and emotional effects of war experiences. The stories of war heroes, as well as civilian victims and the challenges faced by military personnel and their families, are told in detailed exhibits.

Insights into military conflicts and society

The museum is divided into several sections that focus on different aspects of the British Army. There are exhibitions on military strategies and battles, others focus on the army's technology and equipment, and others provide a social and political context for military actions. Particularly noteworthy is the exhibition on the military history of the Empire, which offers a comprehensive look at the role of the British Army in colonial times and the impact of the Empire on the world.

Historical weapons and equipment in museum

Another fascinating aspect of the National Army Museum is its collection of historical weapons, providing a comprehensive overview of the development of weapons and equipment throughout history. From the earliest swords and firearms to the most modern vehicles and technologies of today, the evolution of warfare and military equipment is vividly depicted.

The museum also regularly offers interactive exhibitions and multimedia presentations that allow visitors to engage with history in an immersive and engaging way. This includes virtual reality experiences, interviews with veterans, and historical documentaries that make the visit even more impressive.

In addition to exhibitions, the National Army Museum also offers educational programs for schools and a variety of events for the general public, including lectures, workshops, and commemorative events. These programs aim to deepen understanding and knowledge of the army's history and to preserve the heritage of the British armed forces for future generations.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
Royal Hospital Rd
SW3 4HT London

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday10:00 - 17:30
Monday--
Tuesday10:00 - 17:30
Wednesday10:00 - 17:30
Thursday10:00 - 17:30
Friday10:00 - 17:30
Saturday10:00 - 17:30

Reviews

2637 Reviews

Randy DeGraw
04.03.2025

Probably the best display of Army history I’ve ever seen. The history of some of the weapons from a number of countries. Photos of soldiers in action and in dioramas. Very moving experience. A representation of the Māori importance as well. Well worth a long visit to pay respect to those who fought for all our freedom.
Gresham Peters
02.03.2025

Free to visit (although donations accepted!) and well worth a couple of hours. During out visit we had a great 30 minute one-to-one experience with one of the museum staff members who talked us through the amazingly restored 'The Battle of Isandlwana' painting by Charles Fripp help us us better understand the context and full story behind the painting. The museum staff were super friendly, and the exhibits are really interesting. Well worth a visit. Thanks to the museum team.
Matypl _
18.02.2025

Bardzo fajne muzeum dużo interaktywnych atrakcji dla dzieci wiele ciekawych eksponatów i niewielki Polski smaczek
gizem gamze öz
18.02.2025

Ucretsiz gezilebilir Savaslarda kullanilan helikopter, tank gibi araclar sergileniyor Tankin icine girmek eglenceliydi Savas stratejisi gelistirdiginiz guzel bir oyun var Askerlerin kullandigi silahlar, giydigi kiyafetler sergileniyor Napolyon’un atinin iskeleti de burada, kimin ilgisini ceker bilmiyorum ama isterseniz gorebilirsiniz. Calisanlar guler yuzlu ve bilgi paylasma konusunda comertler
Francis Voon
15.02.2025

Good place to learn about the army past and present. Children friendly. Staff are friendly and helpful.
clive stone
06.02.2025

Fantastic museum, plenty of variety in the displays, lots of interest for a wide range of age groups. Saturday afternoon and it was fairly quiet, possibly because if it's location, but well worth the effort. Nice canteen inside and top notch cafe next door
Emre Cuma
05.02.2025

leuk gemaakt alles
Becky T
05.02.2025

This free museum is well-worth 2+ hours, plus a stop at their nice cafe for food, hot drink, or cake. It has a variety of objects, pictures, paintings, uniforms, and more that provide a comprehensive insight of the British Army - including how it came about, what life has been like through the years, and key wars and battles. It is a bit of a rosy picture at times, but has some unique features like a large replica of Waterloo’s battlefield, portions of equipment that kids can see things clearly, and unique items like Lawrence of Arabia’s desert uniform. Practical: Toilets feel new and clean. Kid-friendly, especially with activities on the ground floor. Cafe is quite nice.
roland viccars
05.02.2025

Very small museum
R
03.02.2025

A fantastic museum for those with an interest in the army and war. Also interesting stories such as the cat a regiment adopted and a tiger.
Ariana Gouldman
11.02.2024

Really well kept and clean museum. Better for older kids but a few good things for younger ones too. The soft play is small and sweet, about 40 minutes until they had enough. Interesting exhibitions and very nice staff.
Andrew C
17.01.2025

I visited the museum today for the first time in 11 years and the post refurbishment museum is excellent. It is a focused museum meaning each gallery tells a story with it's collection of artefacts meaning you could put in an effective visit in 2 hours or spend the day here to cover everything. It covers every aspect of military life and I think you can find something to interest relatives of all ages as there are interactive exhibits. Next time I'll bring my children. There is a soft play here for families with small children (book in advanced) and a cafe with a good amount of seating serving snacks and main meals.
MA PLE
03.01.2025

A really good museum with lots of exhibits. It is highly informative and well designed. One of the best museums of its kind.
Mounia Habti
01.01.2025

Super chouette seul en couple et surtout en famille car parcours ludique pour enfant tout au long de la visite.
Melina Kurki
29.12.2024

Chris can be a great experience about the history of Austrlaia. Keep up the good work mate!
La mia Italy
15.12.2024

Good museum. Great food. Really good visit with 12 year old son
Harry Swann
14.12.2024

Really enjoyable and interesting. Definitely worth a visit
O La
08.12.2024

An interesting museum albeit smaller than the imperial war museum. Gives a history and timeline of the British army. My father who served in the British army in WW2 would have been proud to know I visited! For whoever has interest in Plastic and and reconstructive surgery there is a odel for flaps used by sir Howard Gillis one of the founders of modern plastic surgery during his ground breaking work in WW1. You can see a similar model at the museum of the Royal College of of Surgeons
adam scott
07.12.2024

Fascinating to see how the army evolved over the years excellent exhibition
Darshan Luby
04.12.2024

Where to begin! Museum was boring and dull and my chicken burger was raw in the middle! I was kicked out by security for apparently leaning on walls.
محمد الخليفي
29.11.2024

قووه
Gary H
14.11.2024

The National Army Museum in London offers a fascinating exploration of British military history, from early conflicts to contemporary engagements. With thoughtfully curated exhibits, interactive displays, and an impressive collection of artifacts, it provides visitors of all ages with a deep dive into the lives of soldiers and the impact of war on society. The museum is well-organized, making it easy to follow different themes, such as leadership, equipment, and personal stories from the battlefield. Admission is free, and the museum is very family-friendly, with engaging activities for children. Overall, it’s an insightful and respectful tribute to the Army's history and the people who serve.
Catherine Williams
01.07.2024

Fantastic, free and much underrated. Excellent museum with interesting , interactive exhibits. Suitable for all ages. Don't miss it - VISIT

 

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