Cheshire Military Museum
Independent museum in Chester Castle telling the story of Cheshire's soldiers from the 17th century to today, with a First World War trench.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Cheshire Military Museum is in Chester Castle, which was the training depot of the Cheshire Regiment from 1881 to 1942. Chester has a long military history that goes back to Roman times, when it was the fortress of Deva. The museum was founded in 1972 and is run by an independent registered charity. It also holds the archive of the Cheshire Regiment, which staff use to answer enquiries about people who served with it.
The galleries follow four centuries of Cheshire soldiers, starting with uniforms from the army raised at the Restoration in 1660 and objects from the Seven Years War. Later rooms show how uniforms and weapons changed from the nineteenth century to the khaki of the Boer War, with a replica trench and a Maxim gun for the First World War. Displays on the Second World War include the Cheshire Yeomanry, machine gun training at the castle and the home front, and a pen used at the Japanese surrender in 1945.
The final galleries cover post-war conflicts, including Malaya, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, in which the Cheshire regiments served. The museum also runs a learning programme for schools and hosts temporary displays.
Highlights
- Replica First World War trench with periscope to no man's land
- Maxim gun and Second World War machine gun displays
- Pen from the Japanese surrender of 1945
- Malayan jungle scene and modern conflict displays
- Archive of the Cheshire Regiment
- Weekly Sunday quiet hour
Permanent exhibition
- Soldiers of Cheshire – Galleries from the 17th century to the present, with uniforms, medals, a replica First World War trench and displays on later conflicts.
- Founded
- 1972
- Operated by
- Cheshire Military Museum (registered charity no. 272108)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3Concessions |
| Families | £10 |
| School session, full day, per pupil | £5Groups of up to 40 pupils. |
| School session, half day, per pupil | £3.50Groups of up to 40 pupils. |
Tickets can be bought online.
Accessibility
- 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
The museum describes itself as wheelchair accessible. Since 2026 it offers a weekly Sunday quiet hour and a sensory story with a map for visitors with ADHD or autism.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £10 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The museum says it has displays suitable for children as well as adults and invites whole families. Interactive games, quizzes and film are used in the galleries. School sessions use real and replica objects.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Chester Grosvenor Street
Chester railway station is a 20 minute walk through the city centre, or take Arriva bus number 1 (towards Wrexham, every 20 minutes) and get off at Chester Grosvenor Street or Chester HQ.
By car
Parking available
Nearby car parks are Little Roodee, New Market Place and Crown Court. Parking for two minibuses can be arranged in advance on site; coach drop-off is in Grosvenor Street, with coach parking at Little Roodee.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum has a shop, also online. The courtyard has benches and tables for picnics, and dogs are welcome there.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Allow one hour for a quick visit or up to two hours for a thorough one. Guided tours are available for groups. Education sessions for Key Stages 1 to 4 and free resource packs are offered. |
