Portsmouth's naval quarter is about to get a new addition. The Royal Marines Experience, which carries on the work of the old Royal Marines Museum, opens at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard tomorrow, 24 October, and it is not your usual walk-around-and-read-the-labels museum. The previous site at Eastney closed back in 2017, so this is the first home the collection has had in years.
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The whole thing is built around a simple idea: instead of just looking at history, you are asked to step into the shoes of a Royal Marine. The challenges are Commando-inspired and lean heavily on doing rather than reading, with climbing a rope, lifting a fully loaded 90-litre rucksack, drumming with the Royal Marines Band Service, a traverse wall, racing to assemble kit, and a bleep test. There is a ride in a rigid inflatable boat taken from a retired landing platform dock, and immersive AR and VR combat scenarios to round it off. It is built for families, so it is as much about having a go as it is about taking something in.
That said, the history is the backbone. The Experience covers more than 360 years, from the corps' formation in 1664 right up to the present day, told through personal accounts and objects of national significance. At the heart of it all is the Remembrance Room, which is free to enter and asks visitors to pause and remember the Royal Marines who gave their lives in service. It holds all ten Victoria Crosses awarded to Royal Marines since the medal was established in 1856, brought together in one display for the first time. Among the other pieces you will find the AI Faw briefing model built in secret aboard HMS Ocean in 2003 by Warrant Officer 'Mac' McNaghten for the 40 Commandos, the green beret of Marine W.G.C. 'Molly' MacPherson, who served in 3 Troop, K Company, 42 Commando during the Falklands War, and a medal presentation box given to Marine David Davidson by his husband, showing the marines' landing in Egypt during the Suez Crisis in 1956.
The building itself is part of the story. The Experience takes over the former Action Stations within Boathouse 6, an 1840s Grade II* listed building erected between 1845 and 1848, at Main Rd, HM Naval Base, PO1 3LJ. Every floor has been refurbished, including a 400 square metre temporary exhibition space with views over the Mast Pond and a new mezzanine with a 275-seat auditorium. The first temporary exhibition is 'Through Their Eyes - The Royal Navy Photographic Competition'.
On the practical side, entry is included with a Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Ultimate Experience ticket, so you can pair it with HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose Museum in one go. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. The project cost £15 million in total, funded by a £4.4 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Royal Navy Museums reserves and private donors. It is a big reopening for a collection that has been without a home for nearly a decade, and the interactive approach makes it an easy one to bring the kids along to.
Published Date
23 October 2026
