The Tank Museum

School Trips

Why book The Tank Museum for School Trips and Educational Visits?

School groups can climb inside a real First World War Tank, walk along the front line of our reconstructed trench, or learn about what life was like for people in WW2 in our 1940s House and Shop. There are 12 Educational Workshops to choose from.

The museum prides itself on being accessible for all. Our workshops can be adapted for pupils with additional needs. Most of our activities are accessible for disabled pupils and our staff are very experienced at working with children with a range of needs. Please contact us to discuss how we can adapt workshops for your group.

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits
Resource Packs

What activities are available during group visits?

There are 12 Educational Workshops to chose from:
Tommy in the Trenches
First World War Tank
Real Life of a Warhorse
Medicine on the Western Front
Britain in the Second World War
1940s House/Shop
Funny Tanks of D-Day
Build a WW2 Tank
Cold War Tank Experience
Hitler's Rise to Power
Changing Nature of Warfare
The Tank Story Hall Tour

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Curriculum topics available: Mechanics and engineering.

Housing over 300 tanks, the museum follows the development of the tank over the past 100 years. From the first ever tank, "Little Willie," to the most modern tanks, you can speak to our experts about how tanks were designed to overcome the obstacles of trench warfare and beyond.

Curriculum topics available: How and why the War started, War and the British Empire, Trench Warfare, Technological developments, War Propaganda, Women in wartime, Air Raids Blitz and Battle of Britain, The Home Front, Rationing, Evacuation, D Day Landings and VE Day, Drills and Marches.

To learn about the First World War, pupils can walk though the trenches, climb inside a WW1 tank, listen to horses relay their experience or get hands-on with our Medicine on the Western Front Workshop.
For the Second World War children can dress up as Air Raid Wardens, try on gas masks and learn about life at home in our 1940s House and Shop. For Secondary pupils we also offer Hitler's Rise to Power.
We have many more workshops that can support all aspects of Warfare from the past 100 years.

The whole museum is filled with stories about individuals who achieved incredible feats during the wars. Pupils can see uniforms, medals and personal artefacts. We offer a free scheme of work on one of our First World War soldiers, Archie Smith. Please enquire at the point of booking.

What size groups do you cater for?

We are a large, indoor museum that can take up to 200 students on a school visit.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Yes, we have a classroom that we use for handling workshops.

Is there first aid on site?

Yes, we have several first aiders on site.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Yes, please let us know at the time of booking about any additional needs.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Yes, please let us know at the time of booking about any additional needs.

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Who are The Tank Museum?

The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks in awe-inspiring and modern exhibitions.

The Museum houses some 300 tanks, which represent moments in every major conflict since the First World War. Our moving exhibitions tell the story of this British invention; from the mud of the Somme to the beaches of Normandy and the deserts of Iraq – featuring powerful stories from the soldiers that fought in them.

The Museum has excellent facilities with a large space available for schools to eat packed lunches and store bags. The museum’s shop has a range of pocket money gifts and souvenirs and there is a restaurant on site if you wish to purchase lunch. The museum has lots of toilets including wheelchair accessible facilities. There is also a large free car park including coach and disabled parking.

With 9 exhibitions to explore, The Tank Museum is Dorset’s largest indoor attraction. A typical group usually arrives at 10:00 and leaves at 14:00 to allow time to explore the Museum as a ‘self-guided’ group before or after your workshop. We will work with you to create a timetable for your visit. However, we are flexible to your requirements if you require a different arrival and departure time. The Museum is open from 10:00 and closes at 17:00.

Highlights include the immersive Trench Experience and The Tank Story Hall – featuring key exhibits such as the first ever tank, the modern Challenger 2 and the notorious Tiger tank. In 2021, the Museum opened a major new Second World War exhibition; ‘World War Two: War Stories’.

New for 2023, “The Tank in Popular Culture”, an exhibition looking at how the tank has become a cultural icon through the manufacture of multiple toys, games, models, and the production of works of art, books, comics, video games and films. The exhibition will be our most interactive yet.

The Tank Museum is situated in Bovington (near Wareham), which is regarded as the ‘home of the tank’ as it was here that some of the first tank crews were trained during the First World War. It remains home to the Royal Armoured Corps today.