It’s much more than just tanks… Discover our exciting range of curriculum linked workshops for schools. We cover a range of topic areas, spanning history and STEM, and work with you to ensure that the visit supports your learning objectives.

+ MY LIST

The Tank Museum

The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks in awe-inspiring and modern exhibitions.

The Museum houses some 300 tanks, which represent moments in every major conflict since the First World War. Our moving exhibitions tell the story of this British invention; from the mud of the Somme to the beaches of Normandy and the deserts of Iraq – featuring powerful stories from the soldiers that fought in them.

School groups can climb inside a real First World War Tank, walk along the front line of our reconstructed trench, or learn about what life was like for people in WW2 in our 1940s House and Shop. There are 12 Educational Workshops to choose from.

The Museum prides itself on being accessible for all. Our workshops can be adapted for pupils with additional needs. Most of our activities are accessible for disabled pupils and our staff are very experienced at working with children with a range of needs. Please contact us to discuss how we can adapt workshops for your group.

The Museum has excellent facilities with a large space available for schools to eat packed lunches and store bags. The Museum’s shop has a range of pocket money gifts and souvenirs and there is a restaurant on site if you wish to purchase lunch. The Museum has lots of toilets including wheelchair accessible facilities. There is also a large free car park including coach and disabled parking.

With 9 exhibitions to explore, The Tank Museum is Dorset’s largest indoor attraction. A typical group usually arrives at 10:00 and leaves at 14:00 to allow time to explore the Museum as a ‘self-guided’ group before or after your workshop. We will work with you to create a timetable for your visit. However, we are flexible to your requirements if you require a different arrival and departure time. The Museum is open from 10:00 and closes at 17:00.

Highlights include the immersive Trench Experience and The Tank Story Hall – featuring key exhibits such as the first ever tank, the modern Challenger 2 and the notorious Tiger tank. In 2021, the Museum opened a major new Second World War exhibition; ‘World War Two: War Stories’.

New for 2023, “The Tank in Popular Culture”, an exhibition looking at how the tank has become a cultural icon through the manufacture of multiple toys, games, models, and the production of works of art, books, comics, video games and films. The exhibition will be our most interactive yet.

The Tank Museum is situated in Bovington (near Wareham), which is regarded as the ‘home of the tank’ as it was here that some of the first tank crews were trained during the First World War. It remains home to the Royal Armoured Corps today.

Check out the Educational Visits Guide