Weddings at the Grand Magazine
Enquire nowExplosion Museum of Naval Firepower - A Historic Waterfront Wedding Venue
Tucked away on the waterfront in Gosport, Hampshire, the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower offers a truly unique setting for your wedding. At its heart is the 18th-century Grand Magazine, a former gunpowder store from 1771, once used to house Royal Navy munitions during the Napoleonic Wars. With its vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork, this historic space provides a breathtaking backdrop for your special day.
Located beside the scenic Camber Basin, the venue boasts stunning views of the naval dockyard and the Solent. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our dedicated events team will help bring your vision to life. Enjoy exclusive use of the space, with options including reception drinks by the waterfront and picturesque photo opportunities.
Choose from our thoughtfully curated package or opt for dry hire for full creative freedom, using our handpicked list of trusted partners. Get in touch today to start planning your special day.
We recommend this venue for:
Discover our wedding package
Priddy's Package
Step into an 18th-century gunpowder store transformed into an enchanting wedding venue. With vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork, the Grand Magazine located within the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower offers a dramatic and romantic backdrop like no other.
What's included:
• Welcome drink after the ceremony (prosecco, bottled beer or soft drinks)
• Three-course meal from our fixed menu with toast prosecco
• Tea, coffee & macarons to finish
• Sausage and bacon baps in the evening
• DJ & dance floor area
• Full bar service
• Full set-up: tables, linens, glassware, cutlery
• Dedicated event manager & catering team
• Bring your own flowers & decorations
Package Details:
• Capacity: Up to 70 day guests including the wedding couple | Up to 50 additional evening guests
• Time: 4:30pm–11:30pm | Ceremony at 5:00pm
Prefer to plan every detail yourself? The Grand Magazine is available for dry hire at £2,000
FAQs
Our historic venues are very delicate due to their age and structure, requiring continuous conservation, therefore we ask that you work with our approved event suppliers who are experts in their field and know our venues as well as we do.
Yes, we are able to offer discount if you are a military personnel wishing to marry at one of our venues for dry hire only. However, please note we are unable to offer military discount on our packages.
Please let our Event Manager know upon enquiry and they will be able to discuss this with you in more detail.
By car:
Explosion Museum is just off junction 11 of the M27, follow the brown and white signs to ‘Explosion Museum’ which will lead you to our free car park which is directly on site.
If using a satnav device, please use the postcode PO12 4LE.
By boat:
Gosport Ferry offer regular ferry service between Gosport and Portsmouth
Public transport:
The nearest train station is Fareham, which is then a short taxi ride to our venue. Alternatively, you can alight at Portsmouth Harbour and get the Gosport Ferry
Yes, we have a large free car park for you and your guests to use at the Explosion Museum where the Grand Magazine is housed.
We welcome all guests to our venue spaces and we have tried to make it as safe as possible. However, some of our spaces are historic buildings and ships, and we know that there can be challenges for some guests.
For those who believe they will be limited, please discuss any accessibility requirements with your Event Manager who will be able to advise and we can provide on-site additional support if needed.
Discover our hand-picked suppliers
Each of our venues works with a select range of trusted, high-quality suppliers who understand how to protect our heritage venues and historic vessels, leaving you to relax and enjoy your bespoke occasion.
From caterers and cake makers, to musicians and decor specialists, work directly with our suppliers to build a unique package for you and your event.
Thank you
By choosing to host your event with us, you are doing more than just booking a uniquely memorable venue. You are actively contributing to the conservation of Britain’s naval heritage.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy is a charitable organisation, and all profit generated via venue hire is reinvested so that we can continue to preserve and improve our iconic ships, aircraft and submarines as well as our treasured collections and historic buildings for the general public to enjoy.
Contact us to start planning your wedding celebration
HMS Warrior
Make an entrance and walk down the aisle on the ship’s beautifully restored deck and say ‘I do’ in Victorian splendour. Take your guests to the upper deck for your first glass of celebratory drink as newlyweds and capture the moment with spectacular views of Portsmouth’s famous harbour in the background.
HMS Trincomalee
As the centrepiece of our authentically recreated Georgian Quayside, HMS Trincomalee is an exceptional venue in which to hold your ceremony, as well as acting as an unforgettable backdrop for a standing canape reception on the upper deck.