Visit Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

Explore the fascinating and powerful world of naval warfare at the award-winning Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower.

Uncover the incredible stories of designers, makers, and seaman who worked on armaments over the centuries and listen to first-hand accounts of the munition workers who dealt with dangerous materials.

Housed inside Priddy’s Hard, an 18th Century former Royal Navy armaments depot, you can marvel at missiles, torpedoes, small arms, cannons, and guns as well as the ammunition that was used inside them.

Don’t forget to visit the remarkable new permanent gallery; The Night Hunters: The Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War. Discover the high-risk, high-octane operations of the coastal forces in both world wars.

Museum Open

10am to 4.30pm | Wednesday to Sunday
Open daily during Hampshire school holidays

Explosion Museum, Priddy’s Hard Heritage Way, Gosport, PO12 4LE

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An adventure for all the family

The Explosion Museum in Gosport is the perfect place for an adventure with family and friends. Discover a range of munitions and artillery from cannons to missiles and learn about the workers that created them.

Wander through the original buildings used to store armaments and weaponry for over 200 years. Immerse yourself in historic displays that tell the story of those who worked at Priddy’s Hard and the weapons they created.

What to see

The Night Hunters: The Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War

Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday | 11:30am to 3:30pm

Enter into the high-risk, high-octane world of the Night Hunters in our new exhibition at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower.

Learn about The Night Hunters: The Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War

A wooden map showing the ship maneuvers of the Royal Navy during D-Day

D-Day Map: Operation Neptune

Learn more about one of the largest naval campaigns in history, 'Operation Neptune'. This interactive map, created for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, is based of the original Southwick House Map used to plan the landing at Normandy.

Find out more

Plan a visit

By car:

You can access our museum by car and if using a satnav device, please use the address: Heritage Way, Priddy's Hard, Gosport PO12 4LE.

Waterbus:

A Waterbus from the Historic Dockyard runs regularly to the museum. A full timetable can be found here.

The waterbus operates between 10am to 4pm daily during Summer, unless weather or other operational restrictions apply. During Winter, the waterbus operates under a restricted service, weekends only and subject to weather or other operational restriction.

The Waterbus is, unfortunately, unable to accommodate wheelchairs, due to the unsuitability of the jetty and steps.

A suitable wheelchair can be pre-arranged to meet the waterbus on arrival in Gosport. Please ask a member of staff for details or email enquiries@nmrn.org.uk to confirm availability

Please note that your safety is our number one priority and the sea is subject to change. Due to this, the waterbus may not be running. In the unlikely event, the waterbus stops running when visiting one of our Gosport sites from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, you will need to arrange alternative travel back. This can be on the Gosport Ferry, which is larger than the waterbus so can operate in rougher conditions, or arrange a taxi from a local company. The National Museum of the Royal Navy will not be able to reimburse you for alternative travel arrangements.

Walking:

You are able to walk between our two Gosport sites. Please note however that this is a 2-mile walk and will take roughly 40 minutes.

We welcome all visitors to the Dockyard and we have tried to make it as safe as possible. However, some of our attractions are historic buildings and ships, and we know that there can be challenges for some visitors.

For those who believe they will be limited in their visit or need extra support, we do offer access restriction discounts, free carer tickets, and on-site additional support.

At Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, you are able to leave your buggy at reception. Please note that your buggy and any items left in the buggy are left at your own discretion and we take no responsibility for anything lost or stolen.

Accessible toilets are available to guests at the museum

Free WiFi is available to our visitors. You will need to sign in and agree to terms and conditions.

Camber Lights Café

Enjoy one of Gosport's best-kept secrets when you visit Camber Lights Café at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower. Open from 11am to 3pm, relax and unwind whilst enjoying the scenic surroundings of Portsmouth Harbour. Our café is open to all, including non-museum visitors.

Camber Lights Café serves a variety of sandwiches, hot pasties and sausage rolls, cakes and other tasty treats alongside a wide range of hot and cold drinks. Vegan and gluten free options are available daily, as well as our lunchboxes for younger adventurers.

We source our ice cream from Judes, Winchester. We are eager to stock local from other South Coast suppliers – if you are interested in supplying to our café, please contact us.

Visitors are also welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy on-site.

Find out more information on our dedicated school visits page.

Groups of 15 or more are welcome at the Explosion Museum.

Want to come back and experience the thrills of the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower again?

Book your return visit today!

Guidelines for visitors (2024)

To ensure all visitors to Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower have a safe and rewarding experience we have compiled these brief safety notes.

All buildings and exhibits are assessed regularly and maintained to a high standard, as are equipment and procedures (e.g. fire evacuation). Due to the nature of our attractions, some hazards cannot be avoided but they can be mitigated. They all may have raised artefacts, sharp edges, electrical hazards, fire hazards, trip/fall/slip hazards and rusty/dusty artefacts.

First aid trained staff are available at all sites. Please approach the nearest members of staff if any assistance is required or an emergency occurs.

All Front of house staff are trained in evacuation procedures; in the event of an alarm, please follow the instructions given by the staff and volunteers. Do not stop to collect your belongings. The muster point is listed in the corresponding section below. All staff are DBS checked. We have qualified First Aid staff available at all our sites. Please contact a member of staff if you need assistance.

General site information:

On Arrival

The General Environment

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower was once part of the Priddy’s Hard MOD site and has undergone many changes over the years. Visitors will encounter uneven surfaces across the site made up of a variety of materials including wood, tarmac and concrete.

While efforts have been made to make the museum as accessible as possible to all visitors, some areas may present difficulties to visitors who use wheelchairs, have restricted mobility or have visual or hearing impairments.

Security

The site is protected by 24-hour CCTV. All visitors are responsible for the conduct and health and safety of your group at all times. Although our staff are trained to take the highest care of the health and safety of your group, they are not legally responsible for them. In the event of an emergency evacuation please follow the instructions of staff who are trained to ensure people get off the historic submarine or out of the museum galleries safely and quickly.

Fire Muster Point

Museum staff will direct groups to the nearest muster point.

Conservation and Maintenance Work

There is always work happening across all our sites to keep our historic ships and buildings safe and well maintained. You may come across areas barriered off during your visit. Please ensure that members of your group do not enter any of these areas.

Hazard Information

It is the responsibility of teachers and group leaders to complete a full risk assessment prior to visiting but common hazards on site include.

Outside areas, Main Museum Galleries, and The Night Hunters Exhibition
Historic site with uneven surfaces across the site. This includes wood, concrete, tarmac, and decking.
Outside areas are exposed to the elements.
Low light levels in galleries to protect collections.
Various hands on interactives in the galleries.
Route from main museum to The Night Hunters building is 160m over uneven surface.
Proximity to water on waterbus jetty and on the camber outside cafe.
Trip hazards

COVID 19 Guidelines [ Follow present guidance]

Our staff are regularly sanitising our galleries and we have multiple hand sanitiser points throughout our sites

Please do not visit if anyone in your group has symptoms of COVID 19 or has tested positive.

Please see below for who is eligible for any discounts and T&C’s applicable. Please note that none of these offers can be used in conjunction with another. All of the offers below are available when purchasing tickets on the gate on arrival and cannot be booked online in advance.

UK Serving Personnel

UK serving personnel qualify for free entry, with to up to five guests receiving 30% off walk-up ticket prices. This offer can be redeemed at our ticket box by showing a valid MOD 90 card. This offer cannot be purchased online or used in conjunction with any other offer.

You are required to present your valid MOD90 ID when visiting the site. No other forms of ID are accepted.

Defence Discount Service

Defence Discount Service cardholders can receive a 30% discount on an Ultimate Explorer Family ticket, or for up to 4 individual Ultimate Explorer tickets (plus card holder). This offer is a walk up offer and can be redeemed in the Visitor Centre by showing your Defence Discount card.

Veterans

We have two options available for veterans:

OPTION 1: Veterans can pay a reduced price of £20 for a single Ultimate Explorer ticket (for their use only).

OPTION 2: Veterans can receive a 30% discount on up to five (including themselves) Ultimate Explorer tickets.

Either option can be redeemed at the Visitor Centre. There are many different ways you can show your veteran status and purchase this ticket. We will accept the following: Veterans card, Veterans rail card, discharge papers. If you are wearing a veterans pin badge we will also accept this.

International Service Personnel

International serving personnel receive a 30% discount on an Ultimate Explorer ticket purchased for themselves. This discount does not extend to guests of the ID holder. This offer can be redeemed in our Visitor Centre, by showing a valid ID. Cannot be purchased online or used in conjunction with any other offer.

Portsmouth Naval Base Pass

Base pass holders (including BAE) receive a 50% on up to 5 (including base pass holder) Ultimate Explorer Tickets or 1 Family ticket. Offer can be redeemed at the Visitor Centre.

Naval Associations

Naval Association cardholders can receive a 30% discount on an Ultimate Explorer Family ticket, or for up to 5 individual Ultimate Explorer tickets (including cardholder). This offer is a walk up offer and can be redeemed in the Visitor Centre by showing an in-date Naval Association card.

Blue Light Cardholders

Blue Light cardholders can receive a 20% discount on an Ultimate Explorer Family ticket, or for up to 4 individual Ultimate Explorer tickets (e.g: 1 adult, 1 senior, 2 children) or 1 family ticket. This offer is a walk up offer and can be redeemed in the Visitor Centre by showing your Blue Light card.

Blue Peter

Children with a Blue Peter badge are entitled to free entry, alongside purchase of a walk up rate (full price) Ultimate Explorer ticket. The ticket does not need to be purchased at the same time, but you must be able to show that you have previously bought a full price Ultimate Explorer Ticket. If you have purchased your ticket online, the £5 upgrade must be paid on the day of your visit. A child can visit with different parents/carers as long as they have a valid full price Ultimate Explorer ticket. We simply issue a free child day ticket from our Visitor Centre in any of these scenarios.

Art Fund/National Art Pass

Members/cardholders are entitled to free entry to our Portsmouth Historic Dockyard attractions, including the Mary Rose Museum. This offer will apply to the corresponding number of memberships holders:

Single membership = 1 free Ultimate Explorer ticket
Joint membership = 2 free Ultimate Explorer tickets
Family membership = 1 Family Explorer ticket (valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children
This offer is only redeemable in our Visitor Centre and free tickets are only able to be used on your chosen visit date. To redeem show your Art Pass to our team.

Portsmouth Leisure Card

Leisure card holders are entitled to 50% off a family Ultimate Explorer ticket, or 50% off 5 individual Ultimate Explorer tickets (including cardholder). This offer is available as a walk up offer only. Please show your purchase Leisure card at the Visitor Centre when you buy your tickets.

Hampshire Police Sport Leisure Club

Card holders are entitled to 30% off a family Ultimate Explorer ticket, or 30% off 5 individual Ultimate Explorer tickets (including cardholder). This offer is available as a walk up offer only. Please show your purchase Leisure card at the Visitor Centre when you buy your tickets.

Museums Associations

Valid for 1 free day entry on an Ultimate Explorer ticket for the cardholder. This offer is available as a walk up offer only. Please show your card at the Visitor Centre on arrival.

National Museum of the Royal Navy Members

Members can get 25% off up to 4 guest Ultimate Explorer tickets or "3 Attraction Tickets". This offer is available as walk up offer only. Please show your in-date membership card at purchase.

Queens Hotel

Visitors with the correct flyer can receive 20% off on up to 5 (including flyer holder) individual Ultimate Explorer tickets. Please show flyer when purchasing ticket on walk up.

Society for Nautical Research

Valid for 1 free day entry on an Ultimate Explorer ticket for the cardholder. Cardholder can have 1 additional guest gain access to HMS Victory and Victory Gallery for free. Cardholder will also receive 10% of National Museum of the Royal Navy shop prices. This offer is available as a walk up offer only. Please show your card at the Visitor Centre on arrival.

Tesco Clubcard

Vouchers can be redeemed on single Ultimate Explorer tickets (adult/senior/child). Not redeemable against Family tickets. Vouchers can only be redeemed on walk up and cannot be used online or in conjunction with any other offer.