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 & tours. 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%

					Tiger day heaven Fantastic day out , we went on Tiger Day . The displays in the arena were amazing   such a privilege to see the Tiger 1 running and engaging in a mock battle , to then see a Matilda 2 , a Comet , a T34 , The Fury Sherman and a few others running , hooning round the arena and generally being awesome .

We're going back tomorrow to see some more of the tanks as we couldn't see it all in one day .
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Daren M
27/09/26
					Very moving at times. Highly recommend.

Some very emotional moments. 

Read some of the accounts with the exhibits.
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Pioneer20365245792
18/09/26
					Amazing place does not disappoint My Sons birthday treat he asked to come here! Family of 5 adults this place does not disappoint! Real life sized tanks real experience of the trenches and how life would have been. The exhibition is amazing very informative and you learn a lot too! Admission prices really good we had the ticket where we can return within a year too.We were all really impressed with everything and couldn’t choose a favourite! My grandad was in world war 2 and I wanted to see the tank he drove the Cromwell he died 30 years ago and I definitely felt closer to him
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Lennie1975
13/09/26
					Worth a Visit This was a revisit as last time was to Tank Fest a few years ago but worth a visit.

This time we had more time to visit the whole museum and you can't help being amazed at the information and facts about these small to large vehicles used in war and peace times

No rush to move around and a lovely restaurant to fuel up on food before more viewing
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ccarolwat
08/09/26
					Brilliant experience A brilliant experience from the moment we arrived until we left. There's so much to see and very moving accounts of men at war. The restaurant served tasty food too at reasonable prices.
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Dad45
07/09/26
					Super day Visited yesterday and was immensely impressed. Spent 3to4 hrs there and still want to go again. Hugely informative.  Great day out.
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Paul C
05/09/26
					Very grateful As a kid aged 7 -8 , I made Airfix kits of tanks at home in Staffordshire . 

I only heard about The Tank Museum earlier this year .

I went , Thursday 3 September . A very specific date .

To see the tanks I made as kits was a strange experience .

We hear don’t we ,  young people know little of the wars which led to modern Britain .

Trips to the Tank Museum , irrespective of politics , would help explain what young men had to do : whether British , German , Russian or American .

I just know I would have been terrified inside a tank in battle . Those shells look hideous . 

God bless our men who fought in tanks .
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Graham B
04/09/26
					Great Day Out for All the Family My wife and I took our 2 grandsons aged 10 & 8, I must admit I was a little concerned they may get a bit bored as the special attractions like the rides had ended for the summer, but bot was I wrong. They absolutely loved it, we were there about 5 hours but could easily have done another 5, maybe another day hopefully? Cafe food was good and staff throughout were very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend for all ages but especially keeping those young active minds occupied
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Inspire58270777215
03/09/26
					Very happy 14 year old. Travelled up from Cornwall with my 14 year old son as a summer holiday treat having only been there myself at a similar age and had a fantastic day!The exhibits were excellent,staff enthusiastic and knowledgable,the small outside show was great fun and in all everything was well maintained,clean and tidy!Like my son said he was just expecting a "big shed" and he was blown away!!Great value for money!
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neiltayjay
03/09/26

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.
Get creative in a ceramic painting session – book HERE.
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.

October Half Term

TIME

ACTIVITY

LOCATION

Every day, all day

Outdoor Play Area

Climb on our Centurion & Mark II in the outdoor play area. Children must be supervised at all times.

Outside the Museum

Soft Play

Children must be supervised at all times.

Tamiya Hall

COBI Brick Building Competition

Calling all constructors! Using COBI bricks, build the scariest, spookiest tank you can imagine. Plus, you can enter your creation into our competition for the chance to win a COBI Brick Model – simply post your creation on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, and tag us!

Competition runs from – 24/10/2026 – 01/11/2026
Prize draw will be on – 03/11/2026

Tank Story Hall

Creepy Colouring Station

Grab your crayons and colour in a magical mouse, pumpkin or creepy-crawly spider.

Tamiya Hall

Magical Mouse Witch Trail

Tank mascot “Mouse Witch” tried to conjure a magical tank, but her spell went wrong and mixed up all the ingredients! Help her find all the tank parts around the Museum to complete the enchantment.

All exhibitions

26 May, 11:15-12:15, 13:00-14:00 & 14:00-15:00

Ceramic Painting

Bookings aren’t essential, but to guarantee a spot we recommend booking HERE.

Enjoy a relaxing and creative ceramic painting session suitable for all ages and abilities. Each session lasts one hour and costs £7 per item with all materials provided. Choose your piece, get painting, and make it your own. Your finished item can be taken away at the end of the day.

Briefing Room

Check the 'What's On' screen at the information point for details.

Dress-up – Soldier Style

Try on uniforms and discover how soldiers spend their leisure time off duty.

World War Two: War Stories

Mascot Making

Soldiers often carried lucky charms and mascots for good fortune. We have lots in the Museum, including “Mouse Witch”. This Halloween, you can create your own mascot!

Tanks for the Memories

Gruesome Grub

An army marches on its stomach… but so do the rats! Discover what soldiers ate on the battlefield and how they protected food from hungry rats lurking in camps and trenches.

Tank Story Hall

Commander Basil’s Spook-taculator Quiz

Challenge your family by taking Commander Basil’s Big Quiz – and win a prize!

Briefing Room

Every day, 13:30 - 15:00

Inside the Vehicle Conservation Centre

See the vehicles not on public display and find out how we maintain and restore them from the Vehicle Conservation Centre balcony.

Vehicle Conservation Centre

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

Family Activities

What to See & Do

Soft Play

TICKET PRICES

Outdoor Play Area

Soft Play

COBI Brick Building Competition

Creepy Colouring Station

Magical Mouse Witch Trail

Ceramic Painting

Dress-up – Soldier Style

Mascot Making

Gruesome Grub

Commander Basil’s Spook-taculator Quiz

Inside the Vehicle Conservation Centre

Plan Your Visit

Something for Everyone

Visit Us

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Contact

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