Royal Engineers Museum

About the museum

The Royal Engineers Museum was founded in 1912 in the North Block of Brompton Barracks, in what had been the barracks chapel, which is now the RSME Auditorium. After two world wars the collection outgrew this space and moved to its present home in the Ravelin Building, which was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 May 1987.

The Ravelin Building was designed by a Royal Engineer architect and opened in 1905 as the Electrical School of the Corps. Today the ground floor galleries tell the history of the Corps up to the end of the Second World War and show the medal collection. The courtyard was originally open and was roofed over in 1990; it now holds displays on the post-war history of the Corps.

For decades the Corps' library, archive and museum collections were run separately, and in the early 2000s they were brought under a single management. A new research centre and archive and library stores completed this process in 2021. The collection now exceeds one million items and covers about 300 years of military engineering, from the wars with France and the building of empire through two world wars to the present day. The museum is a registered charity and holds a long lease from the Ministry of Defence for its main building and grounds, plus storage space for vehicles at Chatham Historic Dockyard.

Highlights

• Wellington's map used before the Battle of Waterloo
• 25 Victoria Crosses in the medal rooms
• A section of the Berlin Wall, a V2 rocket and a Harrier jump jet
• Bridge-laying tanks and other armoured vehicles in the grounds
• First World War trench display and play tank
• Zulu War weapons and Victorian galleries

Permanent exhibitions

• Early Engineers – Three rooms cover the origins of the Royal Engineers, from fortifications and the defence of Gibraltar to relics of the Napoleonic Wars, including the map the Duke of Wellington used before Waterloo.
• First World War Gallery – A gallery on the Corps in the First World War with a walk-through trench display and a play tank for children.
• The Medal Rooms – Medals and the stories behind them, including the museum's Victoria Crosses.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Royal Engineers Museum (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

All tickets are valid for 12 months and include entry to the museum's events. Serving Sappers enter free. Holiday activities cost 4 pounds per child.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

There is step-free access through most of the museum, but two steps lead into and out of the First World War trench display, for which a guide and a step-free alternative route are provided. Two public lifts serve the first floor and the café; they are not suitable for mobility scooters. An accessible toilet is on the ground floor in the Post War Gallery, and two disabled parking spaces are marked closest to the entrance. Some displays have low light levels and large print guides are available on request. There is no level path around the outdoor vehicles, but most can be seen from the car park. Child-size ear defenders are available from reception during noisy events. There are no dedicated quiet or autism-friendly days. Companions who are needed to support a visitor are admitted free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Families can follow the Snob the Dog trail, try dressing-up activities, hands-on and digital displays, and play on a First World War play tank. The café has a children's corner. School holiday trails and crafts cost 4 pounds per child, and the Mini Museum Explorers sessions are held for under-fives on the second Tuesday of the month in term time. Buggies can enter the museum except the First World War trench, but there is no buggy parking. Baby changing is on the ground floor in the Courtyard, and the museum takes part in the Wheels of Time badge scheme.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav postcode ME7 1SA, or enter Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham; the museum is signposted from the main roads into Medway. From London take the A2 towards Dover, then the A289 through the Medway Tunnel and turn right towards Brompton and into Prince Arthur Road.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Courtyard café in the middle of the museum serves hot drinks, snacks and light refreshments from 10:30 to 15:30 and has high chairs and healthy options for children. There is an outdoor picnic area with tables among the military vehicles.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The Pasley Study Centre and the Field Marshal's Room can be hired for meetings and seminars with seating for up to 80 guests. Lunches and company dinners can be held in the Field Marshal's Room, the Cold War gallery or the Courtyard.

Plan your visit