Just before Christmas we had a family trip to the Isle of Wight. This is our usual pre-Christmas trip where we try and get away from it all and do something that’s not food shopping or present-buying. So we took the ferry across the Solent, stayed in a beautiful lodge on a lovely farm with chickens and cows and pigs and explored the island over 4 days. One of the little gems to visit on the Isle of Wight is The Military and Heritage Museum, near Newport on the Cowes Road.
What a fantastic place to visit! I took Millie-Mae and Toby for a visit to see the tanks, vehicles, weapons and uniforms.
The museum is based at Northwood Camp and dogs on leads are allowed. There is a great little café which serves light refreshments and also the officers mess where events can be hosted. We arrived on a cold morning but there was a great welcome. There are a huge number of volunteers working at the museum, acting as guides, driving or even on maintenance and restoration.
What we did
We embarked on a guided tour. The museum has a fantastic range of small arms from FN rifles to maxim machine guns and the archetypal PPSH-41 of call of duty fame as well as the Swedish K (Kulsprutepistol m/45 or bullet spurting pistol). Toby was fascinated and could have stayed there all day.
Next, we moved onto the main museum hall where you can learn about life in wartime and about those who contributed so much to the war effort.
There is a replica street scene and other exhibits including uniforms.
The main hall had a load of vehicles and motorbikes including Alvis armoured cars, a Willis jeep, a Snatch Land rover, field guns, a French army ambulance, personnel carriers, Centurion and Conquerer tanks and loads of motorbikes and armoured cars.
There is also a 40ft air rifle range that you can use to test your marksmanship.
And also there are rides in armoured vehicles including the 432 APC and Alvis Saracen. Prices for rides in these vehicles are around £10.
The Value
For kids particularly, little boys like Toby there is a huge amount of military history and hardware. The souvenir shop provides a range of books and hardware that you can’t get anywhere else. Toby bought a Bren gun magazine and it sits proudly on his shelf at home. Millie bought a .45 magnum bullet keyring. We looked around all the vehicles and you can spend as long as you like.
The site runs over 23 acres and so the rides are fantastic and over really rough terrain. Although on the day we visited we didn’t ride. Instead we did the rifle range and Millie excelled at target shooting and shooting balloons. Its well worth a visit as the kids can see all of this stuff in the flesh and learn a huge amount about military history.
Highlights
I loved the huge collection of small arms and medals and the WW2 exhibition.
Toby loved the tanks and the armoured cars …
… and Millie loved the shooting and surprise, surprise the gift shop. I think I can safely say we all loved the scones and the tea at Churchills Tea Room. Of course, the kids had Pepsi and Sprite. But try it, you’ll love it!
Disclaimer
We visited The Wight Military and Heritage Museum while visiting the Isle of Wight courtesy of Wightlink Ferries; we also received discounted accommodation at Tom’s Eco Lodge. Our entrance to the museum was gifted in return for an honest review. Our opinions are our own, and haven’t been influenced in any way.
I would absolutely love to visit the Isle of Wight one day, as I’ve heard so many amazing things about it. This museum would be the kind of place we’d visit too, as it’s so interactive 🙂
Oh there’s definitely lots to do here. It was a shame we missed the tank ride day – my son would have LOVED that!
I haven’t visited the Isle of Wight since I was a teenager. I’d love to take the children over to enjoy all the different attractions, I know that they would be interested in visiting here.
I hadn’t been for years – but the amount of things to do and see is ridiculous! You could spend a year there and still not see it all!
This looks like such an interesting day out – I would love to have a go on that rifle! Definitely one to have on your list for a visit to the Isle of Wight.
Oh she loved shooting that rifle – they both did. Millie did better though, which is why Toby sulked for quite some time afterwards …
Oh this looks like one to visit! We’ve never been to the isle of wight but hope to go in the summer!
Well I’m giving you lots of ideas for places to visit when you do hop across the Solent!
This looks like a fab day out – the boys certainly look happy
The kids loved it – Toby is military-mad anyway so was fascinated by everything
Oh wow what a great place, I know my son would love this! Its great that you can go on a guided tour so you really learn all about everything you are seeing from an expert!
The tour was fantastic – they learned a lot as they went round. The tour guide was also rather impressed with Toby’s knowledge of guns (worryingly!)
That place sounds amazing. We quite like military museums and the chance they give you to learn some more about history. My hubby enjoyed a military museum on our last trip so I’m sure we’ll be visiting this one if we ever make it to the Isle of Wight
What I liked most is that they do tank rides here – not on the day we visited, but it would be great to visit then!
Looks like a fun day out for all involved. I missed this the last time we were there, will go back for sure.
There was no chance we’d miss it as my son found a leaflet about it on the ferry ride and was “very persistent”!
Why do all kids love the gift shop haha?! It looks wonderful, the shooting range would be right up my husband’s street
Gift shops! Arrgghh … we went through a spell a few years ago when I’d tell the kids we’re off out, and rather than ask what we’re doing, they instead asked if there’d be a shop. Defeated the object somewhat, so we had to train them away from the gift shop! They are ok now … ish!
Oh my partner and son would love this place! What an interesting trip
The kids loved it. I stayed back at the Lodge this day – wish I’d have gone along too now!