Easter Holiday: Tanks In Action

Easter Holiday fun for the whole family at The Tank Museum!

This Easter we’re exploring the history of Tea & Tanks. We’ll be looking into how you make tea in Cold War vehicles and talking about tea rations from WWI & WWII.

Experience the biggest day out in history with 300 tanks, enjoy explosive live displays, vehicle rides, kids’ activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction.

Key Details:

Open daily 10am-5pm
Live tank displays on weekdays
Ride around the arena in a tracked vehicle
Trail and Activities
Allow 4-5hrs for your visit
On-site restaurant and parking

					Well worth the visit. We have been meaning to visit for some time and are so glad we did. A fabulous well laid out and informative exhibition. I think there was a good balance for those with little knowledge and those with a lot. Breaking the space up into distinct zones was a good way to switch between subject areas. We appreciated the technical aspect of the tanks being interwoven with the human factor. Uncomfortable at times but an important acknowledgement and respect given to those that pay the ultimate sacrifice.
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woo1066
08/03/26
					Great place A brilliant exhibition. 3 hours here not enough. Amazing place
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karensE3240QX
02/03/26
					Fantastic day out for all! Fantastic place to visit!

So many different tanks from different campaigns. Well laid out in the various themed halls, many with actual battle scars and all with information boards telling you the history of the model and often of that particular tank. Free talks are given on certain topics at various times and there is a gaming zone for the kids.

I used my mobility scooter and there wasn’t anywhere that I couldn’t go, including all around most individual tanks. Ramps and an elevator also make things easy. There is lots of toilets around, including some just inside the entry doors, just what you need after a car journey!

The cafe has a good selection of food, snacks and larger meals plus drinks etc, all of them reasonably priced too.

The obligatory shop at the exit has an enormous selection of models of the tanks, plus tons of other toys/t-shirts/books etc.

We were there over 4 hours and we didn’t see everything, including the conservation centre across the car park, however your entry ticket gives you an annual pass (excluding special event days) so you can go back and pick up where you left off for free.

It’s well signposted with a massive car park too, with loads of disabled parking right outside the door.
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stevec1
24/02/26
					What a Great Day Out! We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Tank Museum - so interesting and lots to see. Very good value for money with a nice restaurant and friendly staff. Highly recommend.
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Jane W
17/02/26
					Great experience We had a fantastic visit . It’s so well laid out and really interesting. We only stayed a couple of hours and  did a few of the rooms but will be able to go back anytime in a year to do more . Highly recommend !
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Jane G
16/02/26
					Too much to see in one visit Last visited during the "Tankfest" 3-day event in  June 2025, having also attended 1 day at the previous year's equivalent event. Prior to this, I had visited the museum on non-event days during holidays in the 1980's and with my own family in the 00's & 10's. As such, I have seen the site develop. It is without doubt one of the best museums I have ever visited, and my recent experience of attending during the "Tankfest" event has only doubled down on my previous perception. If possible, I would suggest visiting on a non-event day to get a better opportunity to view all the static exhibits in a less busy environment. Then visit again whilst a live demonstration event is occurring so you can see in the live show arena some of the exhibits in action, as well as enjoy the additional retailers and food & drink providers that appear at these events. Parking is on-site and free, and there are plenty of good quality interactive exhibits as well as permanent refreshment outlets. Too much to see in one visit.
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Cheekycockney190757
10/02/26
					Explosive! What a fantastic day out.

I was fortunate to have a personal guide who shared his wealth of experience being a retired serving British Army Officer.

The displays were well laid out and informative.

The cafe food was average and not very hot.

The ticket lasts a year which allows many return visits

Can fully commend.
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429Happy
07/02/26
					My Father's History is here An amazing place at many levels.

Of interest to anyone with a sense of history and absorbing to those with memories (personal or parental) of conflict across the last century.

Well documented exhibits with volunteers to fill in for anyone of an inquisitive mind.

My first vist was at a time when a few tanks were in a large shed. Over the years the museum has expanded beyond anything we could have imagined and into a great window into the successes and trials of imaginative and brave men and women.  

Photograph shows a Churchill with my father's mascot Black cat that travelled from Bovington, through Normandy, France Belgium Nijmegan and Germany and lived to not tell the tale.
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brentcZ1058SP
04/02/26
					Tank history comes alive A rainy day at the start of February, and a visit to one of Dorsets greatest indoor attractions that is suitable for every age. Note that the design of the museum means those with mobility issues are well covered. 



We started off with the ww1 trench experience, and it certainly awakens the senses! Onwards through ‘warhorse’ and on to tanks of all decades. And not just British tanks but those from Nazi Germany also. 



This was a wet winter visit. There are outdoor exhibits too. If you want a summer sensory explosion go to Tankfest! Amazing ! 



There is a gift shop packed with goodies for all ages. There is also an excellent cafe that serves snacks as well as main meals. I think a jacket spud with plenty of toppings and salad for £6.95-£7.50 is excellent value! And it was tasty! 



All the staff around the museum were super friendly and knowledgable. 



Would i go again? YES !
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OdieUK
03/02/26

Live Displays

See tracked vehicles roar round the arena!

See vehicles from our collection in action at 1pm, Monday-Friday
Expert commentary on how armoured vehicles work together on the battlefield
Q&A to get all your questions on crew life, track mileage and more answered

The Sherman 'Fury' tank drives from left to right, a large explosion is seen behind the tank between the Fury and the half-track vehicles in the distance. Several members of the audience make up the foreground as they watch on.

Kids' Activities

Explore The Tank Museum with a dedicated trail – and get a prize at the end!
Chocolate Making Workshop – Find out more and book here.
Enjoy special Tea & Tanks Themed activities.
Themed colouring activities and let off steam in the free indoor soft play in the Tamiya Hall and tank-shaped outdoor play area.

Vehicle Rides

Get into the arena yourself with a vehicle ride.

Available every day
Ride in a real tracked vehicle – a Cold War M548 troop carrier
Pay on the day – card only
£5.00 per person or £15.00 for 4
Visitors must be over 1.25m tall

Activities & Timings

TIME

ACTIVITY

LOCATION

Every Day, 10:00

Site Opens

Sitewide

Every Day, All Day

Colourful Cuppas & Camouflage Colouring Station

Add colour to tea & tanks – an unexpected but totally fun combo.

Tamiya Hall

Rescue the Rations Trail

Hunt around the Museum exhibitions to find the food items and rescue their ration packs. Complete the trail and win a prize!

Sitewide

Soft Play

Mini tank enthusiasts can let off steam in our free, tank-shaped soft play area beside our Café.

Children must be supervised at all times.

Tamiya Hall

Outdoor Play Area

Climb on our Centurion & Mark II in the outdoor play area.

Children must be supervised at all times.

Outside The Museum

Tank Museum Volunteer Modellers

View a range of models made by Tank Museum Volunteers, here to answer all of your modelling queries.

Tank Story Hall

Centenary of Tea

Explore how food and importantly a good cup of tea evolved from WW1 to Modern Day.

Check the What’s On screen in our Orientation Zone for detais.

Tank Men Exhibition

Easter Battle

Discover the true story of our Mark II tank which fought at the Battle of Arras on Easter Monday in 1917.

Check the What’s On screen in our Orientation Zone for details.

Tank Story Hall

Make Do and Brew

Step into the 1940s Home Front and discover how families made the most of limited rations but always relied on a good cup of tea.

Check the What’s On screen in our Orientation Zone for details.

WW2 War Stories

Every Day, Timings Vary

Vehicle Rides in The Arena

Get the chance to ride ride in a real tracked vehicle – a Cold War M548 troop carrier.

£5.00 per person or £15.00 for 4. Minimum Height of 125cm.

Card Payment Only – Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Arena Control Point.

Weekdays: 10:30-12:00 & 13:45-16:15

Weekends: 10:30-13:00 & 14:00-16:15

Kuwait Arena

Every Day, 13:30 - 15:00

See Inside the Vehicle Conservation Centre

See the vehicles not on public display and find out how we maintain and restore them from the Vehicle Conversation Centre balcony.

Vehicle Conservation Centre

31 March & 7 April, All Day

How many teabags?

Take part in an activity with Dorset Tea, have a go at guessing how many tea bags are inside the glass container and win a Dorset Tea themed goodie bag.

Orientation Zone

31 March & 7 April, 11:00-12:30 & 13:30-15:00

Battle of the Brews

Taste a selection of flavoured teas and decide which is your favourite in this ‘brew off.’

Briefing Room

Loose Leaf Art

Have a go at creating textured art with real tea leaves and tea bags.

Briefing Room

9 April, 10:30-16:00 (45 min. time slots)

Military Chef: Chocolate Making Workshop

Join expert chocolatier, Military Chef, in making marvellous creations made of – you guessed it – chocolate! Booking essential.

Book your time slot here.

Briefing Room

Weekdays, Sign up from 10:00

Tanks in Action Needs You!

We’ve got tanks. We’ve got action.
All we’re missing is you! Sign up during your visit and take part in the live show.

Volunteers must be 18+ (or 16+ with parental permission) and physically fit.

Orientation Zone

Weekdays, 13:00-13:20

Tanks in Action

See armoured vehicles in a live action display and find out how they work together in battle.

Kuwait Arena

Weekdays, 13:20-13:45

Meet The Crew

See the tanks from “Tanks in Action” up close. Meet the crew and ask them your questions.

Vehicle Conservation Centre Apron

Every day, 17:00

Site Closes

Sitewide

Exhibitions

Our stories: nine powerful exhibitions in seven large halls.

Plan Your Visit

All you need to know before visiting.

What To See & Do

Tonnes to see & do for all the family.

FAQS

GETTING HERE

Supported By:

Murco, a motor fuel group brand, supports The Tank Museum’s arena action during TANKFEST, Tiger Day, and Tanks in Action by providing fuel for the historic running vehicles. You can find out more about Murco HERE.

Murco

Easter Holiday: Tanks In Action28 March - 12 April 2026

Easter Holiday fun for the whole family at The Tank Museum!

Live Displays

Kids' Activities

Vehicle Rides

TICKET PRICES

Site Opens

Colourful Cuppas & Camouflage Colouring Station

Rescue the Rations Trail

Soft Play

Outdoor Play Area

Tank Museum Volunteer Modellers

Centenary of Tea

Easter Battle

Make Do and Brew

Vehicle Rides in The Arena

See Inside the Vehicle Conservation Centre

How many teabags?

Battle of the Brews

Loose Leaf Art

Military Chef: Chocolate Making Workshop

Tanks in Action Needs You!

Tanks in Action

Meet The Crew

Site Closes

Exhibitions

Plan Your Visit

What To See & Do

Supported By:

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Contact

Quick Links

Links