REME Museum
Museum of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Lyneham with eight galleries, repair and recovery vehicles, a café and a playpark.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, known as REME, was formed on 1 October 1942. A Cabinet committee chaired by Sir William Beveridge had recommended bringing the repair of army equipment under one organisation, because the old system could no longer cope with the size and complexity of equipment in use during the Second World War. REME proved itself at the Battle of El Alamein and became a combat corps, summed up in the motto "Soldier first, Craftsman always".
The REME Museum tells the story of the Corps and its people from its wartime origins to present-day operations. Its collection includes vehicles, uniforms, medals, archives and personal souvenirs brought home from campaigns around the world. Since 2017 the museum has been located at Lyneham in Wiltshire, just outside the perimeter of MOD Lyneham.
The museum is an accredited museum under the Arts Council England scheme and has won VisitEngland Welcome and Tripadvisor awards. Alongside eight permanent galleries and a changing exhibition space, it offers an outdoor playpark, a café, a gift shop, a research service and learning programmes for schools.
Highlights
- Eight galleries with interactive displays on the history of the Corps
- Repair and recovery vehicles and aircraft
- World War Two gallery and Remembrance Gallery
- Family trails, quizzes and a REME-themed playpark
- Virtual tour and audio-described walk-through online
Permanent exhibition
- Permanent galleries – Eight galleries on the history of REME, including the Second World War gallery, the Trades gallery, the Remembrance Gallery and displays of repair and recovery vehicles.
- Founded
- 1958
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £7.50Students, over 60s and visitors with disabilities (valid ID required) |
| Children & teens | £6free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5 to 16. |
| Seniors | £7.50Over 60s; valid ID required. |
| Visitors with disabilities | £7.50companion free · Accompanying carers or companions enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | £7.50Valid ID required. |
| Groups | –Discounts, talks and catering are available for groups that book in advance; coach drivers enter free. |
| Families | £28For 2 adults and up to 3 children. |
| Serving military and veterans | £6ID required. |
| Blue Light Card holders | £6Card required. |
| Annual pass, individual | £22Sold online only. |
| Annual pass, family of 1 adult and up to 2 children | £42Sold online only. |
| Annual pass, family of 2 adults and up to 3 children | £59Sold online only. |
Children under 5 enter free with a paying adult. Free entry is also offered to REME Gold Card holders and their immediate family, Museums Association members, School Bookmark holders and Blue Peter Badge holders (with a paying adult). Booking online in advance is encouraged, but tickets can also be bought at reception. Special events and workshops may be priced separately.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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
All public areas are on one level with a step-free main entrance, and there are two accessible toilets. A non-motorised wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge if reserved in advance. An induction loop covers the eight main galleries but not the changing exhibition. Blue Badge bays are about 10 metres from the entrance, and the Dig for Victory garden has no step-free access. A sensory map, relaxed opening sessions and a full accessibility guide are available, and some films have subtitles but none has audio description.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
| Family ticket | £28 · For 2 adults and up to 3 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
The museum has signed the Kids in Museums Manifesto. It offers seasonal trails, a quiz, activity tables during school holidays, STEM workshops and quiet openings. The playpark has REME-themed equipment such as helicopter slides and is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 16:00. There are baby changing facilities in two places and a children's menu in the café. Under 5s enter free and family tickets are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
MOD Lyneham Main Gate · 350 m
The number 55 Stagecoach bus runs from Swindon and Chippenham railway stations through Lyneham about every 20 minutes during opening hours. The nearest stations are Chippenham (10 miles) and Swindon (12 miles).
By car
Free parking
A large free car park is next to the museum, with Blue Badge bays close to the entrance and free coach and minibus parking at the rear.
- Accessible parking
The museum lies beside the main entrance of MOD Lyneham off the A3102 between Calne and Swindon, reached from junction 16 of the M4. For satnav the museum suggests the postcode SN15 4PZ. No ID is needed to visit. The main entrance is at the what3words location cake.shifters.hypocrite.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Free guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, including the café. Crowns Café serves breakfast, hot food, sandwiches and cakes, and the gift shop is in the reception area. There are picnic benches behind the museum.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 60 guests.
A conference room (up to 35 seated or 60 standing), an education suite with garden access, a first-floor meeting room and the whole museum can be hired between 09:00 and 16:30. Catering is provided by Crowns Café.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum recommends allowing at least two hours. Curriculum-linked workshops are offered for primary and secondary schools, and volunteers, many of them veterans, are often on hand in the galleries. |
