The Tank Museum in Bovington
Do you happen to travel around Dorset and fancy a change from picturesque views, Jurassic coast and seaside? Why not try a bit of military history then? The Bovington Tank Museum is located just about 12 miles away from Poole, so if you get a chance – visit it.
The tank was invented in Britain and when it was introduced in World War One it changed warfare. From the Somme to Tiananmen Square or D-Day to Desert Storm the tank has played a part in shaping history – and it continues to do so today. Bovington has been the home of the tank since the very beginning of the tank. In 1916 the British War Office established the Bovington camp as a tank training facility. At the same time the Army was introducing its tanks into the First World War. After the return from France in 1919 a small number of tanks were kept in order to save the early tank’s heritage. After the Second World War the collection of tanks significantly grew because many allied and captured tanks were added. In 1947 the Tank Museum was opened for public and continued to expand. Many of the tanks are in a working order and are being shown in action throughout summer months.
The museum has got the best and the largest collection of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles in the world. The collection consists of over 300 vehicles from 29 nations and spans from the very first tanks to the modern ones like Challenger 2. Some of the preserved vehicles are now unique and cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
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There are a number of exhibitions and displays that tell the story of the tank from its invention and what led to it, through the 20th century development of it and into the modern times. Also, you can learn how tanks were changing and how they were used in different times and situations. You will hear the stories of those who were fighting in the tanks and against them. There are stories from the French trenches and from streets of Basra and about what it is like to be a tank crewman.
There is also an Archive and Library which can be visited by appointment only. It forms the world’s best research centre on the subject of armoured warfare and consists of thousands of various documents and images, vehicle handbooks, technical documents and strategy documents.
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The museums mission is to preserve and house the national collection of armoured fighting vehicles and tanks and to save the records of the human history of those who served in the Royal Tank Regiment and Royal Armoured Corps. The museum is primarily seen as a place for education and entertainment of the public, so the exhibition being tuned in this direction. It is a very spacious venue with the full wheelchair access and children’s play area. It is best accessed by car, because there is no regular bus service from the Wool rail station. The museum has got a very good signage on the roads and a free carpark.
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Visitors’ information:
The Tank Museum
Bovington
Dorset
BH20 6JG
The Tank Museum is open daily from 10:00 – 17:00
Closed on the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
By Road
The Tank Museum is clearly signposted from Dorchester, Blandford, Poole, Bere Regis & Wool.
London & South East – M3/M27/A31 Bere Regis/Bovington
Exeter – A35 Dorchester/A352 to Wool
Central England – A354 Blandford/Bovington
By Rail
Waterloo/Weymouth Line to Wool. Wool station is approx 2 miles away.
There is currently no regular bus service from Wool station to The Tank Museum so the taxi service will be needed.
Admission
Adults – £11
Children (5 yrs-16 yrs) – £7.50
OAPs/Disabled – £9
Saver Ticket (2 Ad & 2 Ch) – £30
Saver Ticket (1 Ad & 3 Ch) – £27
Free annual pass included in your entry fee. Your annual pass entitles you to return to The Tank Museum as many times as you like – for a year! The Museum can claim back the appropriate amount of tax on your entrance fee if you are a UK tax payer.
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