Britannia Museum
Museum inside Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, visited on a pre-booked guided tour of the college.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Britannia Museum is part of Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, the Royal Navy’s training college for officers. The ship HMS Britannia arrived in Dartmouth in 1863 to serve as the officer training establishment, and the present Edwardian college building, designed by Aston Webb, opened in 1905.
The museum opened in 1999 in a former cadet gunroom, with the Duke of Edinburgh attending the opening. Its collections tell the story of officer training and of the college. They include bone ship models made by French prisoners of war, displays on life aboard HMS Britannia between 1863 and 1905 with cadets’ sea chests, and the college archive with midshipmen’s journals and punishment records, among them the entry for Prince Edward from 1877.
The Birley Gallery is thought to hold the largest single collection of portraits by Sir Oswald Birley. The Royal Collection section shows portraits, photographs and objects linked to royal visits, including a silver statuette of Britannia. Visitors can see the museum only as part of a guided tour of the college, because the site is a working military establishment.
Highlights
- Bone ship models made by French prisoners of war
- Life aboard HMS Britannia from 1863 to 1905
- College archive with midshipmen’s journals
- Birley Gallery of portraits by Sir Oswald Birley
- Royal Collection with a silver statuette of Britannia
Permanent exhibition
- Britannia Museum collections – Bone ship models, life aboard HMS Britannia, the college archive, the Birley Gallery and the Royal Collection.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Britannia Royal Naval College (Royal Navy)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £20 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £18Senior (60+) and student (12 to 18) |
| Children & teens | £12.50Child ticket for ages 5 to 11. For children under 5, contact the Britannia Association office in advance. |
| Seniors | £18Ages 60 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | £18Ages 12 to 18. |
Prices are for the public guided tour of the college and museum in October 2026 and must be booked in advance.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Disabled access is limited, and wheelchair access is particularly limited because of the nature and purpose of the historic building.
Kids & families
Child tickets are sold for ages 5 to 11.
Getting there & parking
Public tours meet at the bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens in Dartmouth, where a small coach collects visitors. A park and ride car park serves Dartmouth town.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Toilets are available on site. Refreshments can be pre-booked.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2.25 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Entrance is by pre-booked guided tour only. Visitors over 16 must bring original photographic ID (for example a passport or photo driving licence); photocopies are not accepted. The tour meets at the bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens in Dartmouth, and a small coach takes visitors to the college. Private tours can be arranged for groups. |
