What's the best Military Museum in the UK

[LarryH57]

Well I suppose we all know about Duxford but what other Military Museums in the UK get your vote?

[private mw]

eden camp not to bad ...............:coffee:

[fv1609]

Depends what you want. Vehicles or dioramas & that sort of thing or research. Dioramas seem to be crowd pullers & all that. But for the most part I find them a hindrance to seeing a vehicle properly or even getting close to it. As far as research goes generally the smaller the museum the better the help.

[Willyslancs]

True Clive..........

[mungaman]

Got to be tony olivers wheels musuem in wndsor /a great effort by a person who is a great collector and a font of knowledge / many many unusual vehicles !!

[Great War truck]

My favourite is Cobbaton in Devon. Probably one of the last small privately owned MV museums in the UK. Much like Warnham and Lamanva were before they closed. History on Wheels is very good too.

 

Tim (too)

[Richard Farrant]

My favourite is Cobbaton in Devon. Probably one of the last small privately owned MV museums in the UK.

 

Agreed Tim,

 

Cobbaton is one of those museums that the longer you look, the more you see, a fascinating collection. I did got to Warnham and that was good too, but sadly, long gone now.

[LarryH57]

One thing that seems to be rare these days is Regimental Museums. Could this be due to the amalgamation of all the regiments?

 

I remember visiting the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry museum some years ago which was really good and staffed by ex-DCLI men. I'm not sure which town it was in.

[Minesweeper]

DCLI Museum at Bodmin Cornwall. Somerset L.I. Museum now incorporated in the County Museum in Taunton.

[Tony B]

In the UK? I'm going for the Channel Island Occupation Museum, a place of pilgramige since childhood.

[ford 369]

which one do you mean Tony St Ouens bay Jersey or Forest Guernsey? both excellent but I would have to say the land warfare hall at Duxford ranks very highly

Nigel

[Tony B]

St Quen's of course.

[ford 369]

I sort of guessed this one was what you meant and it is indeed a fantastic collection displayed in an excellent location,I was particularly impressed by the large and varied display of ww2 British helmets including many unusual ones from the home front

Nigel

[Nick Johns]

It has to be the number one The Imperial War Museum in Lambeth, S. London, the magnificent building, exhibits and the huge archive.... and its free !!

Edited November 24, 2008 by Nick Johns

[Tony B]

Don't forget the National Army musuem at chelsea as well! that's Free, and the archive is mangnifcent. Also Deepcut Royal Logistic Corps Musuem at Camberley. We have to convince Andy Robertshaw to do a vehicle show there!

[woa2]

Don't forget the National Army musuem at chelsea as well! that's Free, and the archive is mangnifcent. Also Deepcut Royal Logistic Corps Musuem at Camberley. We have to convince Andy Robertshaw to do a vehicle show there!

The National Army Museum is good, but they don't allow photography. Do other people on this Forum know of other Museums that ban photography?

[Tony B]

Quite a lot, the modern hall (Cold War) at Firepower is one such. In that case there are a lot of period illustrations that is copyright material. Some materials are very sensitive to light, and in some cases, obnoxious photographers and the selling of images has put the block on. Often a serious talk with the staff, and some proof that you are a genuine, knowledgable person can get round things.

[Rlangham]

Quite a lot, the modern hall (Cold War) at Firepower is one such. In that case there are a lot of period illustrations that is copyright material. Some materials are very sensitive to light, and in some cases, obnoxious photographers and the selling of images has put the block on. Often a serious talk with the staff, and some proof that you are a genuine, knowledgable person can get round things.

 

Never heard that one, I have plenty of photos from that area! Could be because whenever i've been in that area, the hall itself is deserted. I'd have to go for Firepower actually, it's in a very nice redeveloped area next to the Thames, everything's presented very well and no instrusive barriers, good cafe and very good toilets, exhibits in fantastic condition and easy to get photos of. Only downside is not enough heavy WW1 artillery!

[Tony B]

Afraid they DON'T PUBLICISE. I first knew the collection when it was at the Rotunda. The move to Woolwich actually took about fifteen years in the end.

[Ivor Ramsden]

One thing that seems to be rare these days is Regimental Museums. Could this be due to the amalgamation of all the regiments?

 

The Cheshire Regiment Museum in Chester is excellent. There's some very well displayed kit and not too much space-wasting interactive stuff for those with no attention span.

 

Many of our visitors tell me that our Manx Aviation & Military Museum is among the best they've been to. It incorporates the Manx Regiment Museum (the 15th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, R.A.) It's nice to know we're doing it right. And we've got no interactive stuff because it's too costly. No wonder that "real" museums swallow up vast budgets when they're full of electronic wizardry but when you think about it they've actually got very little in the way of proper exhibits.

 

I know that we're a lot better than many professionally-run museums. We do it properly because we believe in it, rather than for money, and without any political hang-ups. Anybody been?

[Lewis Garner]

I think good old Bovvy has to be my favourite, even though it focuses on one main aspect. Their displays outside can be quite impressive, and if I remember rightly you can have a ride in two vehicles. One being one of those tracked Lance carrier type vehicles, good fun!

Of course, it's always impressive to see the Tiger as well!

 

Best regards

[polecat paul]

Raf Cosford museum very good and again its free! , also i find that the Hack Green secret nuclear bunker is very good and informative

[Rover8FFR]

Raf Cosford museum very good and again its free! , also i find that the Hack Green secret nuclear bunker is very good and informative

 

I agree RAF Cosford is very good, especially the Cold War hanger. :wow:

[Jolly Jeeper]

 

The Cheshire Regiment Museum in Chester is excellent. There's some very well displayed kit and not too much space-wasting interactive stuff for those with no attention span.

 

 

 

Agreed, I'm very fond of this museum and this city. JC

[woa2]

Nobody's nentioned the REME Museum at Arborfield. Shows the history of the REME and has REME Vehicles on display in the vehicle hall. Photography is allowed and the cafe must be good as serving soldiers use it for lunch.