October Half Term - The Tank Museum

Half Term fun for the whole family to enjoy! Kids’ activities, interactive exhibitions, soft play, and more.

The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life. Experience the biggest day out in history with 100 years of history, 300 tanks, kids activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction.

This October Half Term, enjoy family activities, trails & tour. Mini-tank fans can let off steam in the free soft play & outdoor play area.

Key Details

Open daily 10am-5pm
Onsite restaurant, café, parking & free soft play
Free kids trails and dressing up
All indoors – great for a rainy day
Allow 4-5hrs for your visit

BOOK IN ADVANCE AND SAVE 20%

					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">Incredible We visited for tiger day, it was amazing to see the tank actually driving around the arena, the whole day was brilliant and the museum was fantastic
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/ff/b5/66/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 0" ><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/ff/b5/67/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 1" >
<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
Vickywater
19/04/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">Tanks for the excellent day out Always wanted to visit the tank museum and finally got to do it, it was a very fascinating place. The exhibits are well laid out and some are accessible and you can go inside, it opens your eyes what the soldiers went through. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful, it has a fantastic shop. Theres thingd to do for the kids they can dress up , theres an indoor adventure playground for them. Well worth a visit
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-f/32/ff/77/5b/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 0" ><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/ff/77/5c/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 1" ><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/ff/77/5d/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 2" ><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-f/32/ff/77/5e/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 3" >
<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
joes797
19/04/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">Tiger tank day Brilliant tiger day ,really good seeing all the tanks .cafe very good too
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<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
helen b
19/04/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">Brilliant! Fun for everyone We visited the tank museum today - a friend and I and our kids. What a fabulous day! Staff so friendly, nice food, so so much to see! Something for everyone and nothing was overpriced- which really made a difference- also there was free water and milk which was such a nice touch
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<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
B7458SFsophiej
10/04/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">Live Tank Battle Re-enactment. We are regular visitors to the Tank Museum and we cannot recommend it highly enough. Today (9 April) my children volunteered me to take part in a simulated tank battle (the museum often run these and need people to volunteer to be mechanised infantry; you get driven around in a tracked APC and capture an enemy soldier). Joe was the member of museum staff responsible for us and he looked after us very well. We received safety training and we were well supervised. The whole thing was excellent fun.
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<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
Martin_Taunton
09/04/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">So much to see and do! Purchase a ticket and you can visit every day for a year if you wish!

Fantastic value for money.

There is so much to see and do here and kids love it. The information and the history would take many days to absorb and remember. The cafe serves good honest food and plenty of it. Nearest railway station if you fancy a lovely walk is Wool and as we walked to the museum we were lucky enough to see quite a few tanks motor down the road. Amazing the speed they can get up to. Don't miss the Conservation Centre and the Tanks in Action.
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<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
Cat C
01/04/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">10 years and it only gets better. It had been 10 years since I'd visited last and even though I am no longer a child I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the tank museum. There are plenty of exhibits to see and get up close with and some interactive displays around the museum also. Defiantly worth a visit. I stayed for around 2 - 3 hours which was plenty of time to have some food and wander around the entire museum. I visited on a wednesday so the crowds were fairly quiet. All the staff i had interacted with were friendly and welcoming. I paid £39.10 for two tickets and have been told they're yearly admission tickets which n was pleased to find out.
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/d0/cc/58/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 0" ><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/d0/cc/59/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 1" ><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/d0/cc/5a/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 2" ><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/32/d0/cc/5b/caption.jpg" class="wprev_media_img"  alt="media thumbnail 3" >
<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
Austin l
30/03/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">Not just for history buffs A masterclass in military history! The collection at Bovington is unparalleled, featuring everything from the earliest prototype tanks to modern marvels like the Challenger 2. Seeing the world's only working Tiger 131 is a highlight.

The exhibits are immersive, well-paced, and incredibly moving, especially the "Trench Experience." It’s spacious, family-friendly, and the knowledgeable staff's passion is infectious. 

Save 20% by booking online - the Tank Museum offers a good value destination. 

Whether you're a hardcore historian or a family looking for a great place to while a few hours, this museum offers a great experience.
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<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
R K
28/03/26
					<img width="100" height="22" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_stars_5.png" alt="5 star rating" class="wprevpro_t1_star_img_file">First visit to Tank Museum First visit as part of my birthday and can’t wait to go back again. Display is amazing and so much history to each exhibit on display. A must to visit.
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<img width="32" height="32" decoding="async" src="https://tankmuseum.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-review-slider-pro/public/partials/imgs/tripadvisor_small_icon.svg" alt="TripAdvisor Logo" class="wprevpro_t1_site_logo wprevsiteicon ">
Eric M
27/03/26

Family Activities

There’s loads of family fun at The Tank Museum!

There are interactive games and dressing up in all of our exhibitions to keep children entertained and engaged.
Explore the Museum with our children’s trail – and get a free prize at the end!
Enjoy free themed colouring and let off steam in the free indoor soft play in the Tamiya Hall and the tank-shaped outdoor play area.

What to See & Do

There’s tonnes to see and do at The Tank Museum, regardless of your age and knowledge of tanks!

The Museum is Dorset’s largest indoor attraction, with 300 tanks in 10 powerful exhibitions – all inside, perfect for a rainy day in October.
There are interactive games and dressing up in all of our exhibitions to keep children entertained and engaged.
Vehicle Conservation Centre open every day, timings vary.

Soft Play

Kids can let off steam in our free, tank shaped soft play area, situated in our Tamiya Hall.

The soft play is open from 10am to 4pm and is suitable for children aged between 3 and 11.
All children must be wearing socks and must be supervised.
The soft play is right beside our café, and has comfy chairs for parents to relax in.

Plan Your Visit

All you need to know before visiting.

Something for Everyone

How our story absorbs & amazes everyone.

Visit Us

For a big day out at the Home of the Tank.

FAQS

GETTING HERE

October Half Term24 October - 1 November 2026

Family Activities

What to See & Do

Soft Play

TICKET PRICES

Plan Your Visit

Something for Everyone

Visit Us

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