The Tank Museum — Attraction in Wool

When you first step foot onto the expansive grounds of the UK's National Tank Museum during Tankfest, it's hard not to be awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the event. This isn't your ordinary museum outing; this is an immersive, dynamic experience that puts you right into the heart of tank history. For that reason, Tankfest/Tank Museum has earned a full five-star rating.

There's a staggering variety of tanks on display, a feast for the eyes that can't be found anywhere else in the UK. It's an astounding collection that reflects the expansive history of these formidable machines, from the renowned Tiger tank to a range of obscure models you're unlikely to encounter elsewhere. The working Tiger tank is a particular highlight, a rarity that's been meticulously maintained and brought back to life for special tiger days. But it's not just about the tanks that the museum owns. Tankfest also sees the arrival of additional tanks on loan, unique specimens that are brought in to enhance the richness of the display.

Tankfest isn't just a static exhibition, it's a lively event that extends far beyond the museum's regular offerings. You'll find plenty of stalls to peruse, a variety of food options to satisfy any appetite, and even displays of active British military vehicles. These modern marvels add a contemporary layer to the museum's historical narrative, offering a tangible connection to the present and future of military technology.

The event also presents an excellent opportunity to explore the restoration boneyard, which is open throughout the year. Here you'll witness firsthand the painstaking work that goes into reviving these metal giants, a testament to the museum's dedication to preserving this unique aspect of our history.

The surprise appearance of the Red Arrows was the cherry on top of an already unforgettable day, an awe-inspiring demonstration that added another dimension to an event already brimming with excitement.

Tankfest is an unmissable experience for any tank enthusiast. It offers a unique opportunity to delve deep into tank history, to see up close the machines that have played such pivotal roles in our past. Whether you're a lifelong tank fan or a curious newcomer, Tankfest at the UK's National Tank Museum is a trip...

The Tank Museum in Bovington offers an extraordinary journey through armored warfare history, with tanks, The Tank Museum in Bovington offers an extraordinary journey through armored warfare history, with tanks, vehicles, and artifacts surrounding you at every turn. The collection spans conflicts from both World Wars through to modern conflicts, featuring vehicles from around the globe.

Highlights from the collection, including a Chinese tank with its distinctive red star marking, and the famous "Fury" tank from the movie by that name. And the only working Tiger Tank, in the world, from WWII. The museum's main halls showcase an incredible density of armored vehicles, with German tanks in their original camouflage schemes prominently displayed alongside military vehicles throughout history and from many nations.

The Experience The museum's massive warehouse-style buildings house what appears to be hundreds of tanks in various states of restoration and display. The sheer scale is overwhelming - row upon row of armored vehicles packed into enormous halls where you could easily spend an entire day exploring. The mix of interactive displays and static exhibits brings the history of armored warfare to life, with some vehicles positioned to allow close-up inspection.

Getting There: The 3-hour journey from London via public transport plus a 15-minute taxi ride is definitely worthwhile for military history enthusiasts. The rural Dorset location adds to the authentic military atmosphere.

Perfect Ending: Finishing the day at a local pub with venison shanks and cold pints provides the perfect way to decompress after absorbing so much military history. The local Dorset countryside pubs offer hearty fare that complements the day's historical immersion.

Verdict: This world-class collection makes Bovington a must-visit destination for anyone interested in military history, engineering, or simply impressive machinery. The journey from London is well...

First ever visit to Bovington and certainly wasn't disappointed. This was a birthday present and we had a behind the scenes VIP day booked.

This gave us access to areas within the complex that are usually closed to the general public. We also had the benefits of an excellent guide called Ben who provided us with all sorts of interesting trivia as well as detailed insights into both the museum and the vehicles held within.

The day started with coffee before we headed off the the archives and met the curators who catalogue and restore a myriad of information, pictures, weapons, uniforms and all things tank.

The next stop was the storage centre where there are literally wall to wall mechanised vehicles from all eras and countries. Again a hugely knowledgeable guide walked us through some of the history and backgrounds to these incredible vehicles.

The workshops were next and again, a fantastic insight into what it takes to keep this relics operational for the big events like Tank Fest and their Tiger Days. This was a real highlight for me.

A lovely lunch was then served before we spent the rest of the afternoon in and around the main display exhibits, again ably supported by Ben's insights and commentary.

My personal exhibit highlights were the German heavy WW2 tanks; the Tiger 1, King Tiger and Panther. Bovington is rightly proud of the fact that they have the only operational Tiger 1 in the world and seeing this running is certainly on my to do list for a next visit.

Finally, they have an excellent shop selling all sorts of memorabilia which was a great way to end the day.

In summary, Bovington is an absolutely fantastic day out. We did have the VIP access making the day even more varied and interesting but the volume of exhibits and information on display makes just a normal tour worth every penny spent.

Certainly worth the trip and certainly a return will be planned later...