The Tank Museum

About

The Tank Museum brings history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays. 

Our exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. Exploring eight powerful exhibitions, you will come face to face with almost 300 armoured vehicles.  This unique collection includes the world’s first ever tank, the feared German Tiger and the modern Challenger 2.

“The Tank Story” details tank history from its birth in 1915 to the present in a modern exhibition. Guided by account from veterans, you'll see 35 of the most important tanks in history, with a fascinating supporting collection housed in a state of the art multimedia exhibition. 

“Battlegroup Afghanistan” transports you to today’s front line as combat veterans give their accounts alongside the vehicles used on operations today.  In “The Discovery Centre”, as well as in the "Vehicle Conservation Centre", you’ll see the breadth of our vehicle collections.

The Tank Museum’s First World War Centenary exhibition, “Tank Men”, tells the stories of the first men who fought bravely in these revolutionary machines.

Let the “The Trench Experience” take you back in time to the trenches of the First World War and walk in the footsteps of a World War One soldier, whilst “Warhorse to Horsepower” examines the role of horses in war in an interactive and immersive experience.

“Tank Factory” explores the design and manufacture of British armoured vehicles from 1916 to present and you can hear the stories of the men and women who built these complex war machines.  You can even see a tank production and design your own tank!

“The Tiger Tank Collection” brings the Tiger tank family together in a world first.  Hear from both Nritish and German Second World ar Veterans about their experienced of the Tigers.

There are special events going on throughout the year at The Tank Museum including TANKFEST and Tiger Day, as well as special activity programmes during the School Holidays.

TANKFEST, on the last weekend of June, is the world’s biggest and best live display of historic moving armour! With stalls, food, entertainment and activities as well, this is an event for the whole family.

Tiger 131 will only make two appearances in our arena in 2019 and as the only running Tiger I tank in the world you really can't afford to miss it!

Don’t miss the explosive Tanks in Action Displays, every weekday during the School Holidays*. Watch in awe as tanks roll into action in our arena, with thundering engines and life-like explosions! 

The Tank Museum also boasts an outdoor play area and state of the art soft play area so parent can relax in the adjacent cafe with cup of tea whilst the cjildren let off some steam. There is also an outdoor picnic area overlooking the arena for those sunny days as well as an indoor mezzanine overlooking the Tank Story Hall.

The Tank Museum is based at Bovington and was the main training centre for tanks in the First World War.

This really is a fantastic day old for EVERYONE to enjoy!