Museums & Archives for the United Kingdom in WW1
Some of the major museums in the United Kingdom which have WW1 related archives and/or exhibitions are listed here.
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Army Medical Services Museum, Surrey
51.280631103297004
-0.7138511538505554
The museum holds collections for the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC).
The collections and archives cover the period from the English Civil War to the Army Medical Services working in the present day, illustrating how army medicine and healthcare for both humans and animals, has developed in that time. There are displays containing uniforms, medals, medical, dental and veterinary equipment.
The museum has a shop and gifts are also available to purchase from the online shop at www.ams-shop.org.uk/.
Education and Learning services at the museum are being developed, with a provision for study material for GCSE History of Medicine.
The museum welcomes group visits of all ages. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors are required to bring I.D. with them, as the museum is located in Keogh Barracks. Visitors should go to the main gate of the barracks on Mytchett Place Road where a pass will be issued.
Address: Army Medical Services Museum, Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, Aldershot GU12 5RQ
Email: armymedicalmuseum@btinternet.com
Website: www.ams-museum.org.uk/museum/
Telephone: (Shop and general queries) 01252 868612 (military 94229 5212)
Telephone: (Director and Curatorial staff) 01252 868820 (military 94229 5320)
Fax: 01252 868832
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British Library Newspapers, London
51.59452762639814
-0.250912606716156
The archive of British Library Newspapers is located in north London. It holds major collections of British and overseas newspapers, magazines, trade papers and comics.
Open: Monday - Saturday: 10.00 - 17.00* (*Applications for newspapers must be made before 16.15)
Closed: Sunday & English Public Holidays
Address: British Library Newspapers, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HE
Website: (Newspaper Reading Room) www.bl.uk
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Guards Regimental Museum, London
51.49999221315418
-0.1373988389968872
The museum holds collections of uniforms, medals, pictures and much more relating to the men to served with the regiments of the Foot Guards.
Please note that personal Service Records cannot be accessed through the museum. It is advisable to contact the museum in writing with any request regarding Service Records.
Museum collections relate to:
Grenadier Guards, 1st or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards, 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, King’s Royal Regiment of Guards, His Majestie’s Regiment of Guards (Wentworth’s Regiment), Coldstream Guards, Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, Lord General’s Regiment of Foot Guards, Lord General’s Regiment of Foot, General Monck’s Regiment (The Coldstreamers), Scots Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, Scotch Guards (or Scotts Guards), The King’s Lyfe Guards of Foot, The King’s Foot Guards, The King’s Regiment, His Majestie’s Regiment of Guards, Our Regiment of Guards, New Regiment of Foot Guards, Argyll’s Regiment of Royal Scotsmen, Irish Guards, Welsh Guards, Guards Camel Regiment, Machine Gun Guards, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, Guards Parachute Company.
Open daily: 10.00 - 16.00 (Last admissions 15.30). (Check for closure days via the website.)
Admission charge. Children unders 16 years free.
Address: Guards Museum, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ
Email: guardsmuseum@aol.com
Website: www.theguardsmuseum.com
Telephone: 020 7414 3428 or 020 7414 3271
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Household Cavalry Regimental Museum, London
51.504959232275496
-0.1269543170928955
The new museum was opened in 2007 by Her Majesty the Queen. The museum collections relate to 300 years of the history of the Regiment.
The history of the Regiment includes: The Life Guards, 1st Life Guards, 2nd Life Guards, Horse Grenadier Guards, Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), Royal Horse Guards (Blue), King’s or 1st Regiment of Horse, Royal Regiment of Horse (Oxford Blues).
Daily Ceremony of the Changing of the Guard: 11.00; Inspection of the Guard: 16.00
Open daily: March - September 10.00 - 18.00; October - February 10.00 - 17.00
Closed: 24, 25 and 26 December
Admission charge.
Address: Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
Email: museum@householdcavalry.co.uk
Website: www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7930 3070
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Imperial War Museum London
51.495871171080445
-0.10859191417694092
The Imperial War Museum covers all aspects of warfare in the twentieth century where British and Commonwealth Forces have been engaged.
IWM London is closed until July 2013 for a major redevelopment project. The museum will partially re-open with a new family exhibition Horrible Histories®: Spies. In summer 2014, after a year of continued transformation and development, the museum will fully re-open. While IWM London is closed, IWM’s other London branches, Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast, will remain open as normal.
For information visit:
Website: www.iwm.org.uk
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Liddle Collection, Leeds
53.80814908949945
-1.5529024600982666
The Liddle Collection was founded to collect and preserve individual experiences of the First World War. There are letters, diaries, personal papers, photographs, newspapers, artwork and tape-recordings.
The 1914-1918 catalogue can be viewed online.
Visitors who are not a member of the University of Leeds should make an appointment before making a visit to the Liddle Collection.
Opening hours: Contact the Liddle Collection to confirm opening hours.
Admission free.
Address: Special Collections, Leeds University Library, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT
Email: specialcollections@library.leeds.ac.uk
Website: (Liddle Collection) www.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone: 0113 34 35518 or 0113 34 36383
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The National Archives, Kew
51.48145461175499
-0.2801138162612915
Formerly called the Public Record Office, the National Archives hold thousands of records including records of individuals and military units involved in the First World War.
The National Archives has a Documents Online service, which includes access to WW1 War Diaries and individuals' Medal Index Cards.
Open Tuesday and Thursday 10.00 to 19.00; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10.00 to 17.00.
Closed Mondays. For other closure dates during the year visit the website for details.
Admission free.
Address: The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU
Email: contact form via the National Archives website
Website: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444
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National Army Museum, London
51.48637866659366
-0.16033709049224854
The National Army Museum is dedicated to the telling history of the British Army, exploring the impact of the Army on the shaping of Britain, Europe and around the world, and remembering those who have given their lives whilst serving in the British Army.
Open daily 10.00 to 17.30
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Admission free.
Address: National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT
Email: info@nam.ac.uk
Website: www.nam.ac.uk
Telephone: (switchboard) 020 7730 0717
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National Maritime Museum, London
51.48107197865524
-0.005117654800415039
Located in a beautiful setting of World Heritage Site status in Greenwich on the River Thames the National Maritime Museum is one of three museum sites (the Royal Observatory, Queen's House and the National Maritime Museum).
Open daily 10.00 to 17.00
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Admission free.
Address: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF
Email: See NMM website for relevant email enquiry address.
Website: www.nmm.ac.uk
Telephone: 020 8858 4422
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The Royal Air Force Museum, London
51.60396827811647
-0.24252533912658691
The museum as an extensive archive and library reference collection. The museum staff can provide advice for researchers but cannot carry out research on your behalf.
Open daily 10.00 - 18.00
Closed: 24, 25, 26 December, 1 January.
Admission free.
Address: The Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London NW9 5LL
Email: london@rafmuseum.org
Website: www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/
Telephone: 0208 205 2266
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The Somme Heritage Centre
54.609448364568784
-5.681333094835281
The Somme Heritage Centre was opened in 1994. It is a museum with a collection of First and, since 2000, Second World War artefacts. Exhibitions and displays aim to provide a cross-community educational facility to commeorate the part played by almost a quarter of a million Irish men and women in the First World War.
The three volunteer divisions raised during the First World War were in action in some of the bloodiest battles and this museum tells the story of the men in the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division.
Facilities:
Guided tours; audio-visual displays; conference facilities; shop.
Open:
April-June, September: Monday-Thursday 10.00 - 16.00; Saturday 12.00 - 16.00
July & August: Monday-Friday 10.00 - 17.00; Saturday & Sunday 15.00 - 17.00
October-March: Monday-Thursday 10.00 - 16.00; First Saturday of each month 12.00 - 16.00
Admission charge. Concession and group rates available.
Address: Somme Heritage Centre, 233 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down BT23 7PH, Northern Ireland
Email: enquiry.shc@hotmail.co.uk
Telephone: (028) 9182 3202
Fax: (028) 9182 3214
Website: www.irishsoldier.org
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The Tank Museum, Dorset
50.69531227587217
-2.2435390949249268
The Tank Museum at Bovington, Dorset, is the home of the tank. This British invention was first introduced as a weapon of war in the First World War.
The museum has many historic and rare tanks on display. There are regular events and displays, archive collections available for research, and facilities as a venue for seminars and functions.
Open daily 10.00 - 17.00
Closed: 24, 25, 26 December, 1 January.
Admission charge.
Address: The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG
Email: info@tankmuseum.org
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
Telephone: 01929 405096
Related Reading
Military Museums in the UK (Illustrated paperback)
by Colin Sibun
There are over 130 local and national military museums in the United Kingdom. Many of these are able to offer advice on resources for educational requirements. Published by Third Millennium Information (Second edition Mar 2011). 104 pages. ISBN-10: 1906507511, ISBN-13: 978-1906507510
Related Topics
WW1 Museums and Archives
See our listing of World War One related museums and archives on the Western Front and around the world.