Following a £15m renovation project, the new Royal Marines Experience will feature hands-on activities, interactive galleries and immersive multimedia exploring life in the service.
Set to open on 24th October in the historic Boathouse 6 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the attraction will explore the history of the Royal Marines dating back to 1664.
School groups will learn about more than 360 years of service through activities focused on training, deployment, teamwork and resilience. The immersive storytelling aims to reveal the Corps’ ethos, operations, as well as the physical and mental demands of the service.
CEO of Royal Navy Museums, Matthew Sheldon, said: “We want people to leave with a deeper understanding of the people who serve, and with a sense that they have shared in a story that belongs to the nation.”
There is also a commando themed Laser Quest, plunging players into a hi-tech battle inspired by real events.
Stepping into the shoes of a Royal Marine
Students will be able to ‘take on’ some of the tasks that new recruits to the service are faced with during training and across the various terrains in which they operate.
Various items will be on display throughout the experience too including Victoria Crosses from World War Two, medal presentation boxes, historic uniforms, and more.
At the heart of the experience will be the free to visit Remembrance Room, allowing school groups to reflect on those who gave their lives in service to their country.
The former Royal Marines Museum closed in 2017 with plans to move to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and create a new centre for Royal Marines heritage. In the last nine years, the Royal Navy Museums Team have carefully safeguarded the historic Royal Marines collection.
School trips to Portsmouth
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers discounted tickets to school groups and allows teachers to tailor their visit to their specific curriculum.
Tickets include entry to the new Royal Marine Experience and all other attractions which includes HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum and HMS Warrior .
Linking to history and PSHE, the immersive sessions available use a range of technology to bring the curriculum to life.
To book your school visit, email: phd.learning@nmrn.org.uk. For more information, click here.
