Home of the Tank

The Tank Museum holds the finest and most historically significant collection of tanks in the world.

At the heart of Dorset's Jurassic coast, The Tank Museum is a national treasure with a collection of 300 vehicles and thousands of supporting artefacts.

The collection tells the story of the tank, ranging from the first tank ever built to the modern Challenger 2, with examples from all sides of major 20th Century armoured conflicts.

Today, the Tank Museum exists to conserve the national collection of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, and to preserve and record the individual human history of those who served in the Royal Tank Regiment and Royal Armoured Corps.

To find out more about our collections, click here.

Our History

Bovington is the home of the tank; a British invention which has changed the world.

Bovington became the tank testing and training base for the British Army in 1916, and the Royal Armoured Corps remain here today.

On the conclusion of WWI, the fields on which the museum now stands were turned into a giant scrap yard, where hundreds of tanks brought back from France were dumped to await the attentions of the scrap man.

Public interest in the site grew and, so it is believed, when Rudyard Kipling visited in 1923 he suggested that a proper Museum be established. This marked the beginning of the Tank Museum - and these early tanks form the basis of our collection today.

The Experience

Immerse yourself in the most explosive story in history. Walk through the Trenches of the Somme and see a Tank Action display in our arena.

To find out about upcoming special events click here, to book a guided tour, click here. Why not book a tank ride, click here, or our 'Behind The Scenes Tour', click here? The Tank Museum also offers fully equipped, modern conference facilities, click here.