While our average visitor spends 4-5 hours at The Tank Museum, we know that some parties spend much longer, while some only have time for a few hours.
The size of the collection can be overwhelming, so we’ve made some recommendations for where to explore, depending on how much time you are spending with us.
1-2 Hours
For a flying visit, we recommend taking in 100 years of armoured warfare in the Tank Story exhibition, featuring over 30 of the most important tanks in history.
Follow this with a trip through our latest exhibition, Tanks for the Memories, which shows how the tank appeared in popular culture. From models and movies to toys and comics, this interactive exhibition is great for kids or nostalgic grown-ups.
Finish your trip in the Restaurant with a slice of homemade cake and a hot drink.
3-4 Hours
For a half-day trip, follow this up by travelling through our immersive Trench and Tank Men exhibitions. You’ll be following the first tank crewmen from the recruitment office to the introduction of the first tanks, and beyond to their lives during and after the war.
For more powerful human stories, continue into WW2: War Stories. Hear the experiences of British tank soldiers from 1939 to 1945, told by Royal Armoured Corps veterans. Accompanied by the world’s best selection of WW2 vehicles, unique objects, and interactives, the exhibition covers some of the actions you’ve never heard of – from the Home Front, Burma, North Africa, Normandy, and the liberation of Europe.
After this, we recommend refuelling with a hot lunch in our Restaurant or café, with a range of food from local Dorset suppliers, and enjoying some retail therapy in The Tank Museum’s award-winning shop.
5+ Hours
If you’re spending the whole day at The Tank Museum, you can explore in Dorset’s largest indoor attraction in its entirety. Pick up a Souvenir Guidebook from Admissions to help immerse you in the story of the tank.
You can dig deeper into different time periods with a free tour or talk from our Guide Team, such as Tommy in the Trenches or learning about the role of the tank crew with the Cut-in-half Centurion.
If you’ve visiting during the Easter, May and Summer school holidays, find a seat in the Kuwait Arena, and buckle in for a Tanks in Action Display, including a live battle and explosions (see timings and dates HERE).
Don’t forget that your ticket includes an Annual Pass, so if you don’t see everything on your first visit you can return as many times as you would like for a year (excluding TANKFEST and Tiger Day).
