Wight Military and Heritage Museum
Volunteer-run military museum at Northwood Camp in Cowes with a Second World War street scene, vehicles, weapons, a tea room and activities.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Wight Military and Heritage Museum is housed at Northwood Camp on Newport Road and acts as a store and preservation centre for historic military and civilian memorabilia. It is run as a charity by volunteers, and any profits go to armed services and local community causes. The charity also aims to be a meeting place for ex-service personnel, disadvantaged young people and vulnerable adults, and it offers volunteer posts to people who have been unemployed for a long time.
The displays focus on military history, especially the Second World War. A large replica street scene shows wartime memorabilia and everyday life, and further galleries hold uniforms, small arms and heavy guns. Vehicles range from a French ambulance to a Scammell recovery truck, and the collection includes the aircraft Britten-Norman Islander G-AVCN. Volunteers guide visitors with explanations and anecdotes. Extra activities include an air rifle range, a bomb disposal robot course and armoured vehicle rides, and Churchills Tea Rooms and a book and curio room are on site.
Highlights
- Replica Second World War street scene with wartime memorabilia
- Uniforms, small arms and heavy guns
- Military and civilian vehicles, including a Scammell recovery truck
- Britten-Norman Islander aircraft G-AVCN
- Armoured vehicle rides, air rifle range and bomb disposal robot course
Permanent exhibition
- Military collection – Second World War street scene, uniforms, weapons, guns and military vehicles, with an emphasis on the Second World War.
- Operated by
- Wight Military and Heritage Museum (registered charity 1159529)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £16 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £12.50Visitors aged 65 and over, MOD 90 holders and students with a card |
| Children & teens | £4Children aged 5 to 15. |
| Seniors | £12.50Aged 65 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | £12.50With a valid student card. |
| Families | £352 adults and up to 3 children. |
| Air rifle range (10 pellets) | £4 |
| Remote bomb disposal robot course | £4Outdoors, weather permitting. |
Every ticket includes 12 months of museum membership. Booking a car ferry trip through the Red Funnel website gives 20% off admission. Armoured vehicle rides (432 APC) are booked by phone; the museum website gives no price. Having a photo taken in a tank costs a £1 donation.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Dogs on a lead are welcome throughout the site, including the tea rooms.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | £35 · 2 adults and up to 3 children. |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
There is a family ticket. Visitors can hold some weapons during the daily talks, have a photo taken in a tank and operate a bomb disposal robot.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Outside the museum (bus 1)
The number 1 electric bus stops outside the museum about every 10 minutes.
By car
Free parking
The museum states that access by car is easy.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Churchills Tea Rooms serve cooked meals, snacks, cakes and cream teas and can be visited without a museum ticket. The Barrack Room sells books and curios, and the museum also has a gift shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Volunteers guide visitors around the displays, and free weapon talks are given every day. |
