Aldershot Military Museum — Attraction in Rushmoor

Being somewhat of a frequent museum visitor and having visited the same museum ten years ago or so I was a bit gutted to be honest. It is nearly - so very nearly, a success, and the people were lovely but there was so much that was lacklustre and dated - these are the points I think need to be improved and could be implemented overnight -

‘Cafe’ very odd, in reception, surrounded by clothes to try on and guns to handle - there’s no music on so doesn’t feel very welcoming when it’s quiet. A simple old wartime cd or classic FM on a retro radio would do it. The food on offer isn’t quite a a cafe and couldn’t see any hot drinks etc. Perhaps one side could be a try on or games area and the other a cafe? It seemed a bit muddled and awkward and not one table was occupied. Perhaps you could bill it as a picnic cafe? As families often bring their own food and might feel welcomed more to sit down and enjoy the space.

Children’s trails - very welcome but photos are fuzzy so it’s very hard to make them out. Perhaps need a bit of design help. Could ask a local school or uni to help or a museum heritage uni course from Holloway or Winchester. Very very old scrappy clipboards not needed in the age of hygiene since covid- people won’t take., a pencil is enough. The uptake for children’s activities would be higher if the quality was better.

There’s some cube seating in one section stitched with maps or pictures - not sure - they were falling to bits. Was it a puzzle? Not sure. If it’s broken just remove it if not going to fix it.

Perhaps a visit to the rifles museum for the staff to see how they cater for young visitors well, easily and inexpensively.

The children’s area at the end of the route was a bit odd, unfriendly stark lighting, two tables with little chairs but nothing on them but a broken plastic box with a small amount of very old, really dirty duplo. Please just take it away and put some colouring, storybooks or toy soldiers and cars out? Going to the museum shouldn’t be that fancy an outing but a lot of it seemed a bit abandoned.

Strange that the shop was at the start, perhaps put a nice sign on the exit door saying please visit our shop etc.

Plenty of pluses (!!!) including the new outside assault course - just a lot of ‘hmm that needs a bit of love’. It could be fantastic but at the moment in its current state we wouldn’t return I don’t think. I know it’s hard with funding and staffing but it wouldn’t take much for it to be much better.

Thank you for...

Outstanding museum - small but with plenty to see. Engaging, informative and interesting. A hidden, historical gem! We visited with our two young children, who were kept fully engaged by the differentiated treasure hunt activities, other interactive exhibits around the museum and the demonstrations from staff/volunteers.

For a small site, there was much to take in, with plenty of history and information inside and military vehicles, picnic areas and the obstacle course outside. The staff/volunteers were very knowledgeable and are clearly passionate about all that the museum has to offer.

The shop and cafe area are very good, with a nice mix of products, food and drink to purchase. The inclusion of permanent, interactive tabletop games is a great idea and offers another way to occupy children when eating.

We went on a quiet day, so had no trouble parking - there is a fair-sized car park for the museum and other public car parks within walking distance if that is full.

Ticket prices are very good - £11 for an adult, which gets you an annual ticket, allowing for return visits over the following year.

Overall, a really good, positive visit throughout which the four of us were occupied and entertained throughout. We spent a fabulous couple of hours there and will definitely be returning as soon as possible. Huge thanks and well done to everyone connected...

I wasn't sure about taking the boys here, mostly because I didn't want to push the idea of war to them. But with time to spare on a school holiday, and a child currently learning about WWII we gave it a go. I was happily surprised - it's far more focused on the history of the town of Aldershot as a military town, with lots of fun interactive bit for the kids and a little playground outside. The tanks and old military vehicles were a particular hit. You don't need more than an hour here and it's cheap enough that you don't mind paying the price. Theoretically you can use the tickets all year round once bough, but I can't imagine returning unless you have children particularly interested in the military.

In short, it was an interesting hour spent looking at different times in history, with focus on military, but very neutral - it doesn't glamorize or focus on war at all. Just the equipment soldier would use throughout history. When we went they even had a painting workshop where they got to paint little toy figures.

If you are local, it's a fun way to spend a...