United Kingdom: Museums & Archives for WW1
Museums in the United Kingdom with WW1 related exhibitions and archives are listed here.
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Army Flying Museum, Hampshire
51.150071
-1.572697
Learn about the pioneers of Army flying and the history of the Royal Flying Corps from 1912 to 31 March 1918, when the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 April 1918.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Admission charges with concessions.
Groups and school groups are welcome. Contact the museum for more details on educational activities available to teachers and students.
For more information about the museum and its collections, research in the archive and library, the Apache Café and the play park, visit the website.
Address: Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8DY
Website: www.armyflying.com
Telephone: 01264 784 421
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British Library Newspapers, London
51.59452762639814
-0.250912606716156
The archive of British Library Newspapers is located in north London. It holds major collections of British and overseas newspapers, magazines, trade papers and comics.
Opening hours: see the archive's website for details
Closed: Sunday & English Public Holidays
Address: British Library Newspapers, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HE
Website: www.bl.uk
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Fleet Air Arm Museum, Somerset
51.015016
-2.636981
An award winning naval aviation museum. Discover the story of Royal Navy flying.
Opening hours: see the museum website for details.
Admission charge.
Groups and school groups are welcome.
For information about events, touring the museum and its collections visit the website.
Address: Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester BA22 8HT
Website: www.nmrn.org.uk Fleet Air Arm Museum
Telephone: 02392 891 370
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Fort Widley, World War 1 Remembrance Centre, Hampshire
50.853739
-1.068340
A Remembrance Centre at the historic Fort Widley. There are displays, artefacts, exhibits and memorabilia, a memorial centre and a walk through trench system.
The centre is run by a group of dedicated volunteers. It is advisable to ring in advance of a visit.
Open Tuesday - Sunday 11.00 to 15.00
Free
Groups and school groups are welcome by appointment.
Address: Fort Widley, Airport Service Road, Portsmouth PO3 5PJ
Telephone: 02392 798751
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The Guards Museum, London
51.49999221315418
-0.1373988389968872
The museum holds collections of uniforms, medals, pictures and much more relating to the men to served with the regiments of the Foot Guards.
Please note that personal Service Records cannot be accessed through the museum. It is advisable to contact the museum in writing with any request regarding Service Records.
Museum collections relate to:
Grenadier Guards, 1st or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards, 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, King’s Royal Regiment of Guards, His Majestie’s Regiment of Guards (Wentworth’s Regiment), Coldstream Guards, Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, Lord General’s Regiment of Foot Guards, Lord General’s Regiment of Foot, General Monck’s Regiment (The Coldstreamers), Scots Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, Scotch Guards (or Scotts Guards), The King’s Lyfe Guards of Foot, The King’s Foot Guards, The King’s Regiment, His Majesty’s Regiment of Guards, Our Regiment of Guards, New Regiment of Foot Guards, Argyll’s Regiment of Royal Scotsmen, Irish Guards, Welsh Guards, Guards Camel Regiment, Machine Gun Guards, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, Guards Parachute Company.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Admission charge. Children unders 16 years free.
Address: The Guards Museum, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ
Email: enquiriesguardsmuseum@aol.com
Website: www.theguardsmuseum.com
Telephone: 020 7414 3428
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Household Cavalry Regimental Museum, London
51.504959232275496
-0.1269543170928955
The museum was opened in 2007 by Her Majesty the Queen. The museum collections relate to 300 years of the history of the Regiment.
The history of the Regiment includes: The Life Guards, 1st Life Guards, 2nd Life Guards, Horse Grenadier Guards, Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), Royal Horse Guards (Blue), King’s or 1st Regiment of Horse, Royal Regiment of Horse (Oxford Blues).
Daily Ceremony of the Changing of the Guard: 11.00; Inspection of the Guard: 16.00
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed: 24, 25 and 26 December
Admission charge.
Address: Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
Email: museum@householdcavalry.co.uk
Website: www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7930 3070
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Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire
52.094597
0.128059
Imperial War Museum Duxford is located on a former First and Second World War airfield.
There are over 200 aircraft, tanks, boats and military vehicles to see. Award-winning interactive displays plus the Battle of Britain exhibition, the Museum of the Parachute Regiment & Airborne Forces, the American Air Museum and the AirSpace exhibition.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed: 24, 25, 26 December and opening hours or closures may vary on occasion. Check before travelling there.
Admission fees are charged. Under 16s are free.
For information about the museum, air days, educational activities and research visit the website.
Address: Imperial War Museum Duxford, Duxford, Cambridgeshire CB22 4QR
Email: duxford@iwm.org.uk
Website: www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford
Telephone: (enquiries) +44 (0)1223 835000
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Imperial War Museum London
51.495871171080445
-0.10859191417694092
The Imperial War Museum covers all aspects of warfare in the twentieth century where British and Commonwealth Forces have been engaged.
Research departments are open to visit by appointment (3 days' notice is required).
For information see our page:
Address: Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ
Email: mail@iwm.org.uk
Website: www.iwm.org.uk
Telephone: (enquiries) +44 (0)207 416 5000
Fax: (main building) +44 (0)207 416 5374
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Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
53.468896
-2.298347
The Imperial War Museum North is an award winning museum. The museum holds exhibitions, talks, family activities with the focus on all aspects of warfare in the twentieth century where British and Commonwealth Forces have been engaged.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed 24, 25 & 26 December
Address: Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1TZ
Email: iwmnorth@iwm.org.uk
Website: www.iwm.org.uk
Telephone: (enquiries) +44 (0)161 836 4000
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Library of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), London
51.526608
-0.132311
Archive for the Friends Ambulance Unit (FUA) made up of members and non-members of the Quaker religion and who served as medical volunteers in the First World War.
The Library of the Religious Society of Friends, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
Website: www.quaker.org.uk Library
Telephone: 020 7663 1135
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Liddle Collection, Leeds
53.80814908949945
-1.5529024600982666
The Liddle Collection was founded to collect and preserve individual experiences of the First World War. There are letters, diaries, personal papers, photographs, newspapers, artwork and tape-recordings.
The 1914-1918 catalogue can be viewed online.
Visitors who are not a member of the University of Leeds should make an appointment before making a visit to the Liddle Collection.
Opening hours: Contact the Liddle Collection to confirm opening hours.
Admission free.
Address: Special Collections, Leeds University Library, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT
Email: specialcollections@library.leeds.ac.uk
Website: www.leeds.ac.uk Liddle Collection
Telephone: 0113 34 35518 or 0113 34 36383
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Museum of Military Medicine, Surrey
51.280631103297004
-0.7138511538505554
The museum holds collections for the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC).
The collections and archives cover the period from the English Civil War to the Army Medical Services working in the present day, illustrating how army medicine and healthcare for both humans and animals, has developed in that time. There are displays containing uniforms, medals, medical, dental and veterinary equipment.
You can visit the online shop at:
Website: museumofmilitarymedicine.org.uk Shop
Education and Learning services at the museum are being developed, with a provision for study material for GCSE History of Medicine.
Address: The Museum of Military Medicine, Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, Aldershot GU12 5RQ
Website: museumofmilitarymedicine.org.uk
Telephone: 01252 868 612
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The National Archives, Surrey
51.48145461175499
-0.2801138162612915
Formerly called the Public Record Office, the National Archives hold thousands of records including records of individuals and military units involved in the First World War.
The National Archives has a Documents Online service, which includes access to WW1 War Diaries and individuals' Medal Index Cards. There are numerous free online talks, webinars and Q&A sessions.
Opening hours: visit the website for details.
Admission free.
Address: The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU
Website: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444
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National Army Museum, London
51.48637866659366
-0.16033709049224854
The National Army Museum is dedicated to the telling history of the British Army, exploring the impact of the Army on the shaping of Britain, Europe and around the world, and remembering those who have given their lives whilst serving in the British Army.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed Mondays. Closed 25, 26 December and 1 January.
Admission free.
Address: National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT
Email: info@nam.ac.uk
Website: www.nam.ac.uk
Telephone: 020 7730 0717
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National Maritime Museum, London
51.48107197865524
-0.005117654800415039
Located in a beautiful setting of World Heritage Site status in Greenwich on the River Thames the National Maritime Museum is one of four museum sites including the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory and Queen's House.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Admission free.
Address: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF
Website: www.rmg.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8858 4422
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National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Hampshire
50.800621
-1.109765
The story of the Royal Navy through the First World War, Second World War and up to the present day.
Opening hours: see the museum website for details.
Admission charge.
Groups and school groups are welcome.
For information about events, touring the museum and its collections visit the website.
Address: National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3LJ
Website: www.nmrn.org.uk National Museum Royal Navy Portsmouth
Telephone: 02392 891 370
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National War Museum, Edinburgh, Scotland
55.948595
-3.199913
Located in Edinburgh Castle. Discover the story of Scotland at war, learning about life for Scots at war on the Home Front and on the battlefield.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed 25 and 26 December.
Admission fee (included in the entry fee for Edinburgh Castle).
Latitude 55° 56' 54.94 " Longitude -3° 11' 59.69 " (Latitude 55.948595; Longitude -3.199913)
Address: Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, Scotland
Website: www.nms.ac.uk National War Museum
Telephone: 0300 123 6789
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Railway Museum, York
53.959968
-1.096374
The museum's collection includes over a million objects from over 300 years of railway history. The archive collections include art, film, photos and stories of the men and women who have worked on the railways.
School visits are catered for.
Open daily 10.00 to 18.00
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December.
Admission free.
Address: Railway Museum York, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ
Email (general enquiries): info@railwaymuseum.org.uk
Website: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk
Telephone: +44 03330 161 010
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The Royal Air Force Museum, London
51.60396827811647
-0.24252533912658691
The museum as an extensive archive and library reference collection. The museum staff can provide advice for researchers but cannot carry out research on your behalf.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed: 24, 25, 26 December, 1 January.
Admission free.
Address: The Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London NW9 5LL
Email: london@rafmuseum.org
Website: www.rafmuseum.org.uk
Telephone: 0208 205 2266
Photo courtesy of RAF Museum
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Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Hampshire
50.788244
-1.119795
See the Royal Navy's first submarine, Holland 1, and explore the story of submarines through the First World War, Second World War and up to the present day.
Visit and make a guided walk through HMS Alliance, the centrepiece of the museum.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Admission charge.
Groups and school groups are welcome.
For information about events, touring the museum and its collections visit the website.
Website: www.nmrn.org.uk Submarine Museum
Telephone: 02392 891 370
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St. John Ambulance Museum, London
51.521986
-0.102737
An exhibition to mark the centenary of the First World War includes the Roll of Honour for 1077 members of the Order of St John, volunteers of the St John Ambulance Brigade and members of the Territorial Branch of the St John Ambulance Association.
The museum is free.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
The archive, including collections relating to First World War, can be visited by appointment.
Address: The Museum of the Order of St John, St John’s Gate, St John’s Lane, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4DA
Email: museum@sja.org.uk
Website: www.museumstjohn.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7324 4005
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Shuttleworth Collection, Bedfordshire
52.090012
-0.322562
Old Warden Aerodrome is home to the Shuttleworth Collection, a collection of over fifty unique aircraft dating back to the Edwardian era before the First World War.
Most of the vintage aircraft are airworthy and they take part in displays. The aircraft and vehicles are on show in 8 hangars.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Admission fees are charged.
Archive Research: There is an archive at Shuttleworth with a large amount of aviation archive material.
Education Visits: Education packages are available. Kate Jonston is the Learning Officer. See contact details below.
For information about the Shuttleworth Collection, the airfield, flying displays & What's On, and much more, visit the website.
Address: Shuttleworth (Old Warden) Aerodrome, Nr. Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 9EP
Email: enquiries@shuttleworth.org
Website: www.shuttleworth.org
Telephone: +44 1767 627 927
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The Somme Heritage Centre, County Down, Northern Ireland
54.609448364568784
-5.681333094835281
A museum with a collection of First and Second World War artefacts. Exhibitions and displays aim to provide a cross-community educational facility to commeorate the part played by almost a quarter of a million Irish men and women in the First World War.
The three volunteer divisions raised during the First World War were in action in some of the bloodiest battles and this museum tells the story of the men in the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division.
Facilities: Guided tours; audio-visual displays; conference facilities; shop.
Opening hours: visit the museum's website for details.
Admission charge. Concession and group rates available.
Address: Somme Heritage Centre, 233 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down BT23 7PH, Northern Ireland
Email: enquiry.shc@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.sommeassociation.com Museum
Telephone: 028 - 9182 3202
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The Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Staffordshire
52.659515
-1.777853
The museum tells the story of the regiment from when it was raised in Lichfield in 1705, its service in the Caribbean through the First World War, Second World War and up to the present day.
In addition to the archive and research material it holds, the museum offers a wide range of hands-on experiences for all ages, with a First World War trench, education programmes, loan boxes, role play activities, Living History demonstrations and events.
Open daily all year round:
- Mon - Fri 10.00 - 16.00 hours
- Bank Holidays 12.30pm - 16.00 hours
- Summer weekend opening hours from Easter weekend to Remembrance Sunday in November: 12.30pm - 16.00 hours
Admission charge. Free admission for children under five, Museum Association members, Regimental Association members, Serving and retired Mercian Regimental Soldiers and their immediate family members.
For lots more information see the excellent website.
Address: The Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Lichfield, WS14 9PY
Email: curator@staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
Website: www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
Telephone: 01543 434 394
Latitude 52° 39' 34.25" Longitude -1° 46' 40.27" (Latitude 52.659515; Longitude -1.777853)
Registered charity number 1096944
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The Tank Museum, Dorset
50.69531227587217
-2.2435390949249268
The Tank Museum at Bovington, Dorset, is the home of the tank. This British invention was first introduced as a weapon of war in the First World War.
The museum has many historic and rare tanks on display.
The galleries include an excellent First World War section which takes the visitor through a series of rooms starting with enlistment to the trenches on the Western Front. The replica trench system, complete with dugouts, periscopes and a British WW1 tank is excellent.
There are regular events and displays, lectures, education activities, archive collections available for research, and facilities as a venue for seminars and functions.
During the summer holidays the museum puts on regular live tank action displays in a specially constructed arena at the front of the museum. These displays are 45 action-packed minutes of tanks driving around with a demonstration battle action included.
There is a very well stocked shop offering a wide range of souvenir items, model kits, books, clothing, and general gift items.
Opening hours: see the museum's website for details
Closed: 24, 25, 26 December, 1 January.
Admission charge & concession prices.
Visit the website for more information, dates of the latest events and contact details.
Address: The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG
Email: info@tankmuseum.org
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
Telephone: 01929 405096
Related Link
Army Museums Ogilby Trust
For a full listing of regimental and corps museums of the British Army in the United Kingdom you can visit the website below:
Website: www.armymuseums.org.uk
Related Reading
Military Museums in the UK (Illustrated paperback)
by Colin Sibun
There are over 130 local and national military museums in the United Kingdom. Many of these are able to offer advice on resources for educational requirements. Published by Third Millennium Information (Second edition Mar 2011). 104 pages. ISBN-10: 1906507511, ISBN-13: 978-1906507510
Related Topic
WW1 Museums and Archives
See our listing of World War One related museums and archives on the Western Front and around the world.