Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

Set within a former Royal Navy armament depot, the museum’s very location is steeped in maritime heritage. As you step through its doors, you’ll embark on a journey through time, exploring the pivotal role that firepower and munitions played in the naval history of the United Kingdom and the world.

From the early days of cannonballs and gunpowder to the cutting-edge weaponry of the 20th century, the museum’s exhibits showcase the evolution of naval firepower and you can discover the stories of the men and women who operated these powerful weapons and learn about the innovations that shaped naval warfare. With interactive displays, historic artefacts, and engaging narratives, the Explosion Museum brings the past to life in a dynamic and informative manner.

What to see at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

The Explosion Museum is housed in a collection of historic buildings that were once part of the Royal Navy’s armament depot. These well-preserved structures provide a unique backdrop for exploring the history of naval firepower. As you wander through the museum, you’ll appreciate the architectural significance of these buildings and the role they played in supporting the British Navy.

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower has displays that delve into the chemistry behind gunpowder and explosives and their critical importance in naval warfare. These exhibits explore the evolution of explosives, from the early gunpowder barrels to more advanced munitions used in the 20th century.

The museum offers a hands-on experience with a range of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn through engagement. These exhibits include opportunities to simulate loading and firing cannons, giving you a sense of what it was like to work with naval artillery.

The museum’s extensive collection of naval artefacts include cannonballs, shells, torpedoes, and mines. These provide insights into the diverse range of weapons used throughout naval history.

The museum also has a large collection of historic naval guns, some of which are displayed outdoors. These impressive pieces of artillery range from massive cannons to smaller, more agile guns. You can learn about their specifications, capabilities and the ships they were mounted on.

The Night Hunters: The Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War gallery portrays the role of the Royal Navy’s coastal forces in wartime. This gallery immerses visitors in the world of fast attack craft that operated under the cover of night during the Second World War.

There are also exhibits about the people who operated these weapons and their stories and contributions are an integral part of the museum’s narrative.

Visiting Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

The Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower is located at Priddy’s Hard, a former military installation in Gosport, a short ferry ride from Portsmouth.

The Gosport ferry operates every 15 minutes between Portsmouth Harbour railway station and the Gosport ferry terminal near Gosport’s town centre and from here it is around a half-hour walk to the museum. There is also a water bus that operates regularly between the museum and Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, which saves you the walk from central Gosport.

At £34, it’s fairly expensive to visit the museum; however, the £44 three-attraction ticket and the £49 Ultimate Explorer ticket are a much better deal and these tickets allow you to spread your visit over several days. The Ultimate Explorer ticket gives you access to the Explosion Museum and the Submarine Museum in Gosport as well as all the attractions at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the ticket gives you 12 months to visit these attractions, which means that it is definitely the best deal if you want to explore the site properly.

Camber Lights Café is the museum’s on-site cafe, which serves a selection of drinks and light meals and the Powder Monkey pub is also nearby.

Allow 1–2 hours for your visit to the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower.