Groups will be taken on an interactive journey through 360 years of marine service history at the new attraction opening in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.
Following a £15m makeover, the experience aims to bring to life the stories about the people behind the Royal Marines. Opening on 24th October, the Royal Marines Experience will combine storytelling with hands-on activities, objects and more to help reveal the Corps’ ethos, operations as well as the physical and mental demands of service.
The project has been supported by a £4.4 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as the Garfield Weston Foundation, Royal Navy Museum reserves and private donations, transforming the historic 1840s Boathouse 6 at the dockyard into a dynamic, national centre.
CEO of Royal Navy Museums, Matthew Sheldon, said: “We want this to feel like a museum you can step into, not simply look at. Most of us will never know what it takes to earn and wear the green beret of the Royal Marines Commandos, but the new Royal Marines Experience will bring visitors closer to the tests of training, the reality of deployment and the humour, teamwork and resilience that run through the Corps.
“We want people to leave with a deeper understanding of the people who serve, and with a sense that they have shared in a story that belongs to the nation.”
Boathouse 6 will also house a Royal Navy Museums, Exhibition Space, conferencing facilities and a Royal Marines commando-themed Laser Quest arena, immersing players into a hi-tech battle.
What to expect
The immersive journey will include multimedia displays, immersive VR technology and hands-on storytelling, to cover the service history dating back to 1664.
Visitors will be able to step into the shoes of a Marine, whilst physical and mental challenges will encourage visitors of all ages to take on some of the tasks new recruits to the service are faced with during training and across the various terrains in which they operate.
Various items will be on exhibit throughout the experience including Victoria Crosses from World War Two, medal presentation boxes, historic uniforms, and more. Some of the items include:
- Warrant Officer ‘Mac’ McNaghten’s AI Faw briefing model, built in secret whilst onboard HMS Ocean enroute to the Persian Gulf in 2003 and used by 40 Commandos to plan their attack on the Al Faw peninsula.
- A Green beret worn by Marine W.G.C. ‘Molly’ MacPherson who served in 3 Troop, K Company, 42 Commando during the Falklands War. Marines serving during the Falklands war preferred to wear Green Berets rather than helmets as they thought that the Green Beret was ‘bulletproof’.
At the heart of the experience will be the Remembrance Room, allowing visitors to reflect on those who gave their lives in service to their country. This will be free to enter.
The upgraded corporate hire events space includes a 275-seated auditorium, overlooking the new museum. It houses AV technology to support conferences, presentations, screenings and workshops, available to book.
The former Royal Marines Museum closed in 2017 with plans to move to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and create a new centre for Royal Marines heritage. In the last nine years, the Royal Navy Museums Team have carefully safeguarded the historic Royal Marines collection.
Group visitor information
Discounted tickets for groups of 12 or more are available, with free entry offered to group leaders. There is coach and minibus parking available off-site.
Tickets include entry to the Royal Marine Experience and all other attractions which includes the HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum and HMS Warrior.
Click here to book your tickets now.
