Combined Military Services Museum

About the museum

The Combined Military Services Museum grew from the private collection of its founder, who began gathering military items as a boy in 1968. The collection was reviewed by the government, which declared it to be of national importance, and a registered charity was set up in 1996 to provide a building for it. The name recalls the combined operations of the Second World War, which involved all three services.

In 2001 a former bonded wine warehouse in Station Road, Maldon, was found. Over the next three years a second floor was added, security doors, alarms and display cases were fitted and artefacts were donated from many military sources. The museum opened to the public on 5 July 2004.

The collections include the Donnington firearms collection, which was gifted to the museum in 2010 and covers weapons used and captured by the British Army from the late 19th century onwards, and one of the finest collections of operational spy equipment, from Second World War agents to Cold War gadgets. Other displays cover the Special Air Service, artillery and munitions including the Lutine Cannon, uniforms, the home front and arms and armour. The Cockle canoe from Operation Frankton is also on show.

Highlights

• Donnington firearms collection
• Military intelligence and spy equipment
• Special Air Service collection including black kit from the Iranian Embassy raid
• Artillery and munitions including the Lutine Cannon
• Home front, uniforms and arms and armour collections

Permanent exhibitions

• Donnington Firearms Collection – Weapons used and captured by the British Army from the late 19th century to the early 21st century, gifted to the museum in 2010.
• Military Intelligence Collection – Operational spy equipment, from Special Operations Executive sabotage kit to Cold War covert gadgets.
• Special Air Service – Special Forces equipment including the uniform worn in the Iranian Embassy raid in 1980 and displays tracing the unit's roots.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Combined Military Services Museum (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Serving members of the armed forces are entitled to a discount on presenting an MOD90. The ticket allows re-admission on the same day. Online booking is possible but not essential; groups of 10 or more should book.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The museum offers level access with ramps and a lift to all floors, and plenty of space for wheelchairs. Designated disabled parking spaces are near the entrance. Some key items have audio description that can be reached with QR codes. Detailed facility information is available on the AccessAble website.

Kids & families

A family ticket is available. School sessions include themes such as rationing, the Blitz and evacuees for Year 5 and 6.

Getting there & parking

In Maldon follow the tank signs to the museum, which is at the end of Station Road. The what3words address is bikes.food.unclaimed.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available

There is no café, but a vending machine sells hot and cold drinks. Cafés are nearby and the ticket allows re-admission on the same day.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit