Military Intelligence Museum

About the museum

The Military Intelligence Museum tells the story of British military intelligence in the army, navy and air force from the Boer War to the present. The idea for a museum of the Intelligence Corps arose in 1966 at Ashford in Kent, where the camp quartermaster Bill Leary proposed it and became the first curator. Later corps secretaries added memorabilia and documents, including a large collection from Hamburg.

When the Intelligence Centre moved to Chicksands in Bedfordshire, the collection moved with it. It became a joint-service museum and was renamed the Military Intelligence Museum; the Royal Air Force’s Medmenham Collection joined it. It reopened at Chicksands in the summer of 2005, was recognised as a military museum in 2010 and gained full Accreditation from Arts Council England in 2016.

Galleries cover the Intelligence Corps, honours and awards, the Special Operations Executive, the Medmenham Collection, BRIXMIS, the Y Service, the US Air Force at Chicksands and the story of In the Name of the Rose. The museum also keeps medals and an archive, and offers school sessions such as code-breaking and propaganda. It is run by a charity, and because it stands on an active Ministry of Defence base, visitors need to book in advance.

Highlights

• Only UK museum devoted entirely to military intelligence history
• Eight galleries including the Special Operations Executive, BRIXMIS and the Y Service
• Medmenham Collection of Royal Air Force photographic intelligence
• Medals and archive collections
• Free guided tours led by veterans or museum staff

Permanent exhibitions

• Intelligence Corps – Gallery on the history and work of the Intelligence Corps.
• Special Operations Executive – Gallery on the wartime Special Operations Executive.
• Medmenham Collection – Gallery on the Royal Air Force Medmenham Collection, which joined the museum after it became a joint-service museum.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Intelligence Corps Museum charity

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free and donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on one floor with no internal stairs. Two steps lead to the entrance; a side ramp is available but is not suitable for large powered wheelchairs. There are toilets but no designated accessible toilet with room for assistance. Every gallery has seating and fold-out stools are available. Guide dogs are welcome (tell the museum in advance) and there is a dog-relief area. A portable hearing induction loop is available, and any gallery can serve as a quiet space with interactives switched off. There is no designated disabled parking, but plenty of space near the building.

Kids & families

The museum offers school activities for children from Key Stage 2 upwards; it does not describe separate family offers.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on a secure military site; use the A600 turn-off to the camp gate (entry via Ampthill Road is not possible). Satnav postcode SG17 5QB. Arrival information is sent after booking.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit