We highly recommend spending a day out at The Tank Museum during a stay at Ulwell Holiday Park. The Tank Museum is the perfect day out for families and adults alike – what’s more, this world-famous attraction is only a short drive away from our holiday park in Swanage.
Exhibitions
This museum in Bovington has a collection of fantastic exhibitions, showcasing over three-hundred historical artefacts for you to explore at your own pace. One of the most popular and interactive exhibitions at The Tank Museum is ‘The Trench Experience’. The Trench Experience follows in the footsteps of a World War One British soldier, straight from the recruitment office to the battlefield. You’ll have the chance to experience an indoor mock trench battlefield, complete with explosions and fighting soldiers.
The ‘Gaming Zone’ is one of the newest attractions for tank enthusiasts. It has been sponsored by the popular gaming franchise ‘World of Tanks’ and allows visitors to virtually battle one another whilst sitting inside real centurion battle tanks!
Tank Displays
There are plenty of amazing Tank displays and experiences at The Tank Museum where you can watch, or even ride in, armoured vehicles as they patrol around the grounds that surround Bovington. There are driving and shooting displays every weekday during the spring and summer holidays, which are free for all visitors to watch or participate in. Alternatively, there are vehicle rides available every weekday during the spring and summer holidays, which are payable on the day.
Events
The Tank Museum plays host to a range of exciting festivals and events throughout the year, so it’s worth checking out their events page prior to your visit to this fantastic attraction in Dorset. One of the most popular events, which visitors travel internationally to attend, is the world-renowned TANKFEST. TANKFEST is the largest display of tanks and other historic moving armoured vehicles in the world! TANKFEST is definitely worth attending if you’re a tank-lover, a history enthusiast, or if you’re simply looking for an exciting and unique day out for the whole family whilst on holiday in Dorset.
Family Activities at The Tank Museum
The Tank Museum is an excellent place for families to visit whilst on holiday in Dorset. This museum has plenty of fun games and activities for children to enjoy. For older children between the ages of five-twelve, there are variety of things to get stuck into, such as the ‘Major Teddington Trail’ which leads children around the exhibits, a fantastic dressing up box, LEGO stations, code breaking challenges and even the opportunity to race tortoises just like soldiers during World War 1 did! For younger children aged five and under, there is a fantastic outdoor playground and indoor soft play – what’s more, under 5s’ admission into The Tank Museum is free!
Eating at The Tank Museum
The Tank Museum has a fantastic canteen style cafe where you are able to pick up a range of tasty treats and home cooked meals such as lasagne, moussaka, curry and casserole. The cafe proudly uses local produce where they can and stocks a range of products from local suppliers including ice cream from Baboo Gelato and drinks from Piddle Brewery.
Alternatively, there are plenty of amazing grassy spots and picnic benches across the museum’s grounds where you are welcome to enjoy a picnic in the sun.
Getting to The Tank Museum
Getting to The Tank Museum from our holiday park in Swanage is incredibly easy. The drive takes roughly twenty-five minutes via the A351 and Wareham Road. The Tank Museum also has parking on-site for visitors to use.
