May Half Term - The Tank Museum

May Half Term fun for the whole family to enjoy. Tank displays, kids’ activities, vehicle rides, and more!

The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life. Experience the biggest day out in history with explosive live displays, 300 tanks, kids’ activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction.

Take part in family-friendly crafts, tours and much more!

Key Details

Tanks in Action displays each weekday at 1pm
Vehicle rides every day
Open daily 10am-5pm
Trails, crafts, games and more
Allow 4-5hrs for your visit

					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

Tanks in Action

See armoured vehicles in action in the arena!

Every weekday at 1pm
Expert commentary on how armoured vehicles work together on the battle field
Lifelike explosions
Meet the Crew after the display

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!
There are interactive games and dressing up in all of our exhibitions to keep children entertained and engaged.
Meet STICK MAN™ at intervals on Sunday 24 May.
Enjoy free themed colouring and let off steam in the indoor soft play in the Tamiya Hall and the 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

Sunday 24 May, at Intervals

Meet STICK MAN™

STICK MAN™ will be available to meet at intervals on Sunday 24 May.
Head to the Briefing Room during any of the the time slots below to say hello!

Timings: 12:00-12:40, 13:00-13:40, 14:00-14:40, 15:00-15:40

Briefing Room

Every Day, All Day

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

Colouring Station

Get hands-on & unleash your creativity with our free colouring station.

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

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

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 From Tanks in Action

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

Something for Everyone

How our story absorbs & amazes everyone.

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

Wild Britain© is a UK-based rewilding initiative funded by eco-friendly brands including Seedbom. As part of our ongoing collaboration, Wild Britain is helping to rewild 3,000 sqm of The Tank Museum’s grounds with over 64 million wildflower seeds.

Learn more about our work HERE or support the project by purchasing the exclusive Tank Museum Seedbom.

Wild Britain

May Half Term23-31 May 2026

May Half Term fun for the whole family to enjoy. Tank displays, kids’ activities, vehicle rides, and more!

Tanks in Action

Kids Activities

Vehicle Rides

TICKET PRICES

Site Opens

Meet STICK MAN™

Soft Play

Colouring Station

Outdoor Play Area

Vehicle Rides in The Arena

See Inside the Vehicle Conservation Centre

Tanks in Action Needs You!

Tanks in Action

Meet the Crew From Tanks in Action

Site Closes

Something for Everyone

Plan Your Visit

What To See & Do

Supported By:

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Contact

Quick Links

Links