THE RIFLEMAN'S MUSEUM

OPening hours: 10am-4pm (last entry 3:30pm)

"One of the best regimental museums in the country"
The Rifleman’s Museum is one of Winchester’s six military museums, located at Peninsula Barracks on Romsey Road. Housed in the former Rifle Depot headquarters building, the Museum spans two floors, covering the history of Riflemen from 1741 onwards,  the story of the formation of The Royal Green Jackets in 1966, its subsequent amalgamation into The Rifles in 2007, and the role and legacy of this current regiment in the British Army.

The Museum focuses on stories of courage and bravery, helping visitors to understand the role of Riflemen through the actions, decisions, and fates of individual soldiers.

What’s on offer
Laid out chronologically, the Museum’s displays tell of the part played by rifle regiments in campaigning for peace over two and half centuries, and how the regiments’ approach to soldiering and readiness to adopt new ideas were often ahead of the rest. The Museum also provides a fitting focus on courage with a special Victoria Cross display, including a touch screen giving visitors access to detailed information about the actions and personal histories of each of the regiments’ 59 Victoria Cross winners.

Tickets can be purchased online here or on the front desk when you arrive.

​Popular attractions

• The Waterloo Diorama is a 25 square metre model of the Battle of Waterloo featuring 30,000 model soldiers and horses, with an informative 5 minute sound and light commentary to guide you through the events of the battle on 18th June 1815.
• The Victoria Cross display includes a touch screen giving visitors access to detailed information about actions and personal histories of each of the regiments’ 59 Victoria Cross winners. 30 of these Victoria Cross medals are on display around the museum, illustrating stories of enduring courage and bravery.
• Our weapons collection features dozens of unique and historically significant pieces, including a sporting gun once owned by Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, and the swords of Sir John Moore. You can also get hands-on with history by handling a selection of weapons, including the iconic Baker Rifle and India Pattern Musket, to experience what it might have felt like to wield them!
• The Museum collection contains uniforms from all periods of the history of Riflemen – from the only surviving 5/60th Rifles Officer’s uniform and the Duke of Wellington’s Rifle Brigade court dress, to the uniform worn by ‘Andy McNab’ DCM MM of Bravo Two Zero fame when he was a prisoner of the Iraqis during the first Gulf War (1991). We even have a selection of uniforms to try on and take pictures in.
• The Museum showcases a diverse collection of paintings, drawings, and artwork, including a striking portrait of Sir John Moore by the renowned 19th-century artist Thomas Lawrence. These icons, portraits, and vivid battle scenes throughout the Museum bring the stories of the soldiers to life, illustrating acts of courage and heroism highlighted in the exhibits, and deepening your connection to the history of the Riflemen.
  

THE COLLECTION

Artefacts and Objects

Our collection is wide-ranging and diverse, with many interesting artefacts on display. Spread across two floors, and with plenty packed into each display, there's something new to discover on every visit.

• The Medal Collection covers campaigns from the 18th – 21st Century. Medals are displayed throughout the Museum alongside stories of individual courage, as well as in the Medal Room.
  
• In total there are over 40,000 objects of considerable historical interest in the Museum, including uniforms, medals, weapons, silver, paintings and other items.
  
• The Museum has an extensive archive of documents ranging from letters written by Black Bob Craufurd in the Peninsular War to items from the present day.
  
• We have over 30,000 photographs in our archives, plus albums. We regularly feature photographs from our archives on our website and social media.
  
• The Museum also has a substantial collection of archival material – letters, diaries, maps, documents and photographs – which may be viewed by appointment. Museum personnel are sometimes able to undertake research on behalf of those unable to visit.
  

FAMILIES & ACTIVITIES

We aim for the Museum to provide an engaging, memorable visit for all ages! We have a selection of permanent trails and activities to keep kids involved both at the Museum and at home, as well as regular special events, trails, and activities.

• Our Visual Guide helps young visitors to understand what they might see and find in the Museum before they visit. 
• We have a selection of Home Activities, including word searches, crafts, and seasonal activities that you can print at home, before or after your visit.
• A selection of Museum Trails and Activity Packs are available for free at the Museum for a variety of ages, including a Makaton trail. These change often, so keep an eye out!
• We regularly host Special Activities during school holidays or surrounding historical anniversaries and events to help young visitors learn more.
• There are a range of Interactive Activities in the Museum including dressing up, colouring in, object handling, and more.

And lots more!

The Museum regularly organises special events, such as exhibitions, lectures and ‘Fun for All’ days during children’s school holidays.

Check out our museum shop here

Contact us on: 
[email protected] 
Meg Boreham
01962 828549
www.riflemansmuseum.co.uk