What does the National Army Museum do that the Imperial War Museum doesn’t? Well one is about the history of war and the other is about the history of the British Army.
National Army Museum
The National Army Museum has been in Chelsea since the 70’s but has been closed for the last three years whilst it underwent at multi million pound overhaul. Now its new glass doors are open. Top fact that I came away with? The British Army began at the time of the Civil War when the chaos of many private armies no longer worked.
Could you be a soldier?
There are five themed galleries in the revamped museum. The first that you come to focuses on what it is like to be a soldier, from recruitment to demob. As you enter the gallery you are asked ‘Could you be a solider?’ and you walk through the yes or no gate, when you leave you are asked if still think you have what it takes. Given that one of the displays is of a solidiers toes that he lost to frostbite on an ascent of Everest, I’m not sure if I could!
Going to Battle
In the Battle gallery the changing nature of war is chronicled from muskets, to rifles, to tanks and thence to todays high tech weapons. This gallery holds the standout object of the whole museum for me, it is the skeleton of Napoleon’s horse Marengo and stands next to a cape that the Duke of Wellington had a Waterloo. There are of course tanks and guns galore, including an interactive tank that you can climb inside, I am way too tall to serve in a tank!
What has the Army ever given us?
Chatting, Plonker, Thingumajig and wimp. Are just four of the words that have come into our language via the Army. Chatting was the term for quietly picking the lice of another soldier. Plonker, a shell landing in a trench. Thingumajig, baffling technical device and WIMP is an acronym; Whinging Incompetent Malingering Person. This I learnt from the Society gallery along with how fashion and fiction have been influenced by the military.
What is there to do for small children at the National Army Museum?
All round the museum there are all manner of hands on things to try. Fancy standing in a sentry box dressed in a bearskin and scarlet tunic, there are uniforms in adult and child sizes for you to try on. Or how about exploring the many designs of cap badges? If you have children under 8, then there is a dedicated play area especially for them. Best of all, the National Army Museum is free, except for special exhibitions.
National Army Museum Need to Know
- Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HT
- Open Tuesday – Sunday 10.30 am – 3.30pm
- Admission: Free except for special exhibitions
- Post Covid Tickets need to be booked in advance
- The Army Museum is a brilliant place to take Teens studying GCSE History as it covers part of the curriculum
- If you’d like more ideas about entertaining teens take a look at my Free Things to do with Teens in London post.
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This would never have been on my London list before – so thank you for sharing! A free museum with lots of interactive displays is always worth knowing about! #citytripping
Author
Well worth while visiting, especially as you can try on a guardsman’s uniform!
I’m very excited to see it newly opened! #citytripping
Hope you can join #fearlessfamtrav this month
I hadn’t realised it was open again! This is on our London list, DH in particular would love it. #CityTripping
Author
Opened last week, just in time for the school holiday. The building is so much lighter and airier than it was before and the café looks pretty enticing too!
I’d been to the Imperial War Museum but didn’t realise that there was an Army Museum as well! Or maybe it wasn’t open when I was in London. I loved the IWM, next time I’ll have to check out this one too! #citytripping
Author
All depends when you came, it has been shut for the past three years. Well worth a visit when you return, a really interesting part of London
Sounds great! One to note for my museum travels. #citytripping
I’ve been meaning to go here for some years, but the refurbishment has reminded me. My daughter is also keen, so I think we’ll do it. Sounds well worth it from your write-up- thank you! #citytripping
Author
Lots of interesting stuff to see and afterwards it’s only a short skip to the Saatchi Gallery, if you feel so inclined!
I’d never heard of the museum before until now. I shall definitely be adding this to my to-see list. A great idea to have a dedicated play area for little ones too. Thanks for linking up with #CityTripping
I really liked the National Army Museum before it was revamped, and I am delighted to be reminded that it is open again!
That’s very close to us so we shall pop in for a look and dress up. Thanks for the tip! #FarawayFiles
This sounds great, Catherine. It’s the sort of museum I’d imagine wouldn’t appeal to me at all but you’ve managed to make it sound so interesting that I fancy going now. Thanks for enlightening me on #FarawayFiles
Love the vernacular lesson and like Clare said – it does look interesting, but not one I would have sought out. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiiles, Erin
Author
Well worth a visit!
I’m shuddering at the thought of that picture of frostbitten toes on the way up Everest. What a lovely make over of the museum though, it sounds like it’s really very engaging now. I think my answer would still be no, I don’t think I could be a soldier 😉
Author
No, I don’t think I could ld either!
Haven’t been here before but it’s now on our list for our next visit to London. #culturedkids
My husband would love this museum. I think it’s important for kids to learn about the army and its purpose in defending the people. And no, I definitely don’t think I have what it takes to be a soldier. #culturedkids
Author
I thought it would not be for me but it is fascinating
This has reminded me that we still haven’t been since it reopened. This would be perfect for the whole family as my husband loves military places and it’s child friendly – a winner all round! Thanks for hosting #CulturedKids
Author
It has an excellent cafe too!
The Special Forces exhibition sounds the most interesting. Working in the shadows, the less physical side of the army, would be fascinating to hear more about.
#culturedkids
Author
It was really interesting, especially that they want quiet people
How interesting. I never knew chatting had anything to do with lice! I definitely could NOT be a soldier, though….. #CulturedKids
Author
Puts a whole new slant on meeting up for a chat!
This sounds as if it’s got the balance right between education and fun. I hadn’t heard of the museum before but I’m intrigued after reading this.
#culturedkids
Author
Really interesting and right next door to the Chelsea Physic Garden for a day out with big contrasts!
Looks like another interesting museum in London. Thanks for sharing #CulturedKids
Author
So many interesting London museums!
I’m Really intrigued to see how they did after the redevelopmemt! One for he list #culturedkiss
Author
It is very good, we visited with the teens and friends in tow this week and they all had a brilliant time
How interesting! It looks like a really great day out. Looks like a great re-vamp!
Author
The teens loved the virtual Waterloo battlefield especially
We are always looking for new museums to visit. Thanks for the suggestion it looks fantastic. #CulturedKids
Author
Always happy to truffle out new museums for you!
It looks like money well spent! I think Mark would love this. Another one for our London list. #CulturedKids.
Author
Fascinating place, I learnt so much
NAM became one of our favourite museums since renovated – we gave it a big mention in our London wrap up! Smaller kids including mine adore the soft play area – ticketed and restricted numbers so its reasonable most times even for parents to hang out; trying the royal guard outfits and of course testing the tank and playing soldiers. They’ve done a brilliant job renovating and the cafe is also good – home made cakes and even decent wine and savoury stuff for parents rescue 😉 #culturedkids
Author
The cafe is fantastic, I have been known to pop in just for the cafe!
I’m a big fan of our armed services (especially with brother-in-law in the army) and thrilled the army has a cultural home in London. #culturedkids