· Visitors will embark on an immersive, multimedia journey through more than 360 years of Royal Marines history, from 1664 to today. Interactive galleries and Commando challenges reveal the Corps’ ethos, operations, and the physical and mental demands of service.

· Royal Navy Museums: Royal Marines Experience will open in the historic Boathouse 6 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, bringing the story, spirit and service of the Royal Marines to life for visitors of all ages.

Royal Navy Museums is proud to announce that Royal Navy Museums: Royal Marines Experience will open on 24 October 2026, creating a new national home for the story of the Royal Marines inside Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Designed for families, veterans, serving personnel, history lovers and anyone curious about what it takes to become a Commando, the Experience will combine powerful storytelling with hands-on activities, multimedia displays, immersive technology and objects that reveal the people behind more than 360 years of service.

The £15m project has been supported by a £4.4million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, alongside funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation, Royal Navy Museums reserves and private donations. Thanks to this grant as well as future donations, the Royal Marines Experience is set to transform the historic 1840’s Grade II* listed Boathouse 6 in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard into a dynamic national centre, celebrating the service and history of the Royal Marines.

Matthew Sheldon, CEO, Royal Navy Museums said: “We want this to feel like a museum you can step into, not simply look at. Most of us will never know what it takes to earn and wear the green beret of the Royal Marines Commandos, but the new Royal Marines Experience will bring visitors closer to the tests of training, the reality of deployment and the humour, teamwork and resilience that run through the Corps.

“Through real voices, remarkable objects, hands-on challenges and immersive technology, visitors will be able to explore more than 360 years of Royal Marines history in a way that feels human, powerful and enjoyable. 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.”

Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "The Royal Marines have played a remarkable role in our nation’s story for more than 360 years and this exciting new Experience will ensure their heritage is shared, understood and valued by future generations. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are proud to support the transformation of Boathouse 6 into a dynamic new home for Royal Marines heritage, bringing together nationally significant collections, powerful stories and cutting-edge technology.

"As well as safeguarding an important historic building and collection, this project will create new opportunities for people of all ages to connect with the courage, commitment and camaraderie that have defined the Royal Marines across the centuries. We’re delighted to support this investment in Portsmouth’s and look forward to seeing the Royal Marines Experience bring these extraordinary stories to life."

Royal Navy Museums has developed the Experience with Royal Marines voices at its heart, drawing on serving and former Royal Marines, families and specialists, so the galleries connect heritage with today’s service.

Visitors will move through interactive galleries and Commando challenges that reveal the Corps’ ethos, operations, and the physical and mental demands of service. Through the latest VR and AR technology, visitors will be able to step into the shoes of a Marine, whilst physical and mental challenges will encourage visitors of all ages to take on some of the tasks new recruits to the service are faced with during training and across the various terrains in which they operate.

Hundreds of historic and modern items will be on display, revealing the Royal Marines rich, on-going history, including:

• Warrant Officer ‘Mac’ McNaghten’s AI Faw briefing model, built in secret whilst onboard HMS Ocean enroute to the Persian Gulf in 2003 and used by 40 Commandos to plan their attack on the Al Faw peninsula.

• All 10 Victoria Crosses awarded to the Royal Marines, from the Crimean War to Second World War, brought together to tell stories of exceptional bravery and service.

• A medal presentation box given to Marine David Davidson by his husband Ernest and the Royal British Legion. The decoration shows David landing in Egypt during the Suez Crisis in 1956.

• A Green beret worn by Marine W.G.C. 'Molly' MacPherson who served in 3 Troop, K Company, 42 Commando during the Falklands War. Marines serving during the Falklands war preferred to wear Green Berets rather than helmets as they thought that the Green Beret was 'bulletproof'.

The Experience will also create a sense of place where members of the Royal Marines Family can connect with their history and each other. At the heart of this will be the newly established Remembrance Room, free to enter, where families can reflect on, and remember 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 9 years, the Royal Navy Museums Team have carefully safeguarded the historic Royal Marines collection.

Royal Marines Experience is based at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - where one ticket unlocks entry not only to Royal Marines Experience, but also to all attractions. A visit promises a full and memorable day out, with highlights such as HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum, and HMS Warrior among the historic treasures to explore.

Boathouse 6 will also house a Royal Navy Museums; Exhibition Space, conferencing facilities and a Royal Marines commando-themed Laser Quest arena.

Royal Marines Commando themed Laser Quest

The Royal Marines Commando themed Laser Quest is a c270m2 Laser Quest arena that plunges players into a hi-tech battle inspired by the Royal Marines. Laser Quest has long been popular at the Dockyard, and this newly refreshed attraction aims to bring a new generation of gamers in.

The experience makes the perfect action-packed addition to visitors’ days if they are coming along to visit the Royal Marines Experience or any of the other attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It’s also the perfect venue for parties and corporate away days.

Royal Navy Museums: Exhibition Space

The new Studio is the first purpose-built special exhibition space in the Dockyard. On the first floor of the historic former boathouse overlooking the Mast Pond, at 400m2 and will be one of the biggest temporary exhibition spaces in the South of England.

This compelling and flexible space will enable the Royal Navy Museums and partners to mount special exhibitions.

The space also supports the wider area, providing a place for community and business partners to work with Royal Navy Museums to bring new stories to Portsmouth, build partnerships, and explore a wide range of arts, culture and heritage narratives. The first temporary exhibition will be Through Their Eyes - The Royal Navy Photographic Competition.

Royal Navy Museums: Mezzanine

The expanded and upgraded corporate hire and events space, including a 275-seated auditorium, and 300m2 flexible mezzanine floor offers unique opportunities for private events, conferences and meetings. The expanded spaces boast glass walls overlooking the new museum, and a state-of-the-art AV and technology setup to support conferences, presentations, screenings, and workshops.

-ENDS-

For more information, images or interviews, please contact:

Julie Holman, Collective Wisdom | Julie@collectivewisdom.co.uk / 07545759367

Truda Spruyt, Collective Wisdom | truda@collectivewisdom.co.uk / 07740725206

Listings

Address: Boathouse 6, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ

Opening times: Daily 10:00–17:30 (Apr-Oct), 10:00–17:00 (Nov-March). Laser Quest is open weekends and during Hampshire school holidays.

Tickets: Entrance to the Royal Marines Experience is included in the annual Portsmouth Historic Dockyard ticket.

Booking link: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

NOTES TO EDITORS

Royal Navy Museums

• Through times of war, peace and uncertainty, across eras of expansion and exploitation, spanning moments of national jeopardy and jubilation, the Royal Navy has been ever-present. Our museums and ships bring to life the centuries-old marriage between the Royal Navy, Britain’s identity as an island nation and its lasting impact on the world. Our role and vision is; Linking Navy and Nation with inspiring stories and experiences.

• Royal Navy Museums is nationwide and includes Royal Navy Museums: Portsmouth at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard including HMS Victory, HMS M.33, HMS Warrior, Royal Marines Experience (opening later 2026) and Submarines with HMS Alliance and Explosion both in Gosport, Hampshire; Royal Navy Museums: Naval Aviation, Yeovilton; Royal Navy Museums: HMS Caroline, Belfast, and Royal Navy Museums: Hartlepool including HMS Trincomalee.

• Royalnavymuseums.org.uk

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (PHD) is one of the UK’s leading visitor attractions. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the home to Royal Navy Museums: HMS Victory, Royal Navy Museums: HMS Warrior, and the Mary Rose. Its water bus service connects it with the Royal Navy Museums: Submarines and Royal Navy Museums: Explosion.

Visitors can visit all ships and museums at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with one ticket which can then be used for a whole year. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is operated by the Royal Navy Museums in partnership with the Mary Rose Trust.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, The National Lottery Heritage Fund announced major funding to celebrate the heritage of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines and safeguard it for future generations. The Royal Marines have a history spanning 360 years and thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the Heritage Fund awarded £4.4m to transform historic boathouse and create a dedicated Royal Marines Experience.

Press Release link: Royal Air Force and Royal Marines heritage awarded £13.7m National Lottery funding | National Museum of the Royal Navy

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

By 2033 we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.

heritagefund.org.uk

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund

heritagefund.org.uk

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