Description
Cheshire Military Museum in Chester is a fascinating attraction that tells the story of local soldiers from the 17th century to the present day. Located within Chester Castle, it offers an immersive journey through centuries of military history. It’s an engaging and educational experience for families, history enthusiasts and school groups alike.
Visitors can explore detailed exhibits covering different time periods, including uniforms, weapons and personal artefacts from major conflicts. Highlights include a realistic World War One trench replica, interactive displays, film archives and collections from the Cheshire Regiment. The museum also features exhibits on World War Two, modern armed forces, and historical items such as rifles, machine guns and unique memorabilia, giving insight into life on the battlefield and in the barracks.
Price starts from £5.00 for Adults, £3.00 for concessions and £10.00 for Family(2 adults and 2/3 children under 16). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.
17th & 18th Centuries: Our story starts in the late 17th Century with the raising of the Regular Army at Charles II’s Restoration in 1660. We then move on to the 18th Century we look at discipline.
- Uniforms from Charles II’s Restoration in 1660.
- 18th Century discipline
- Artefacts from the Seven Years War in America (1756 – 63) including a bronze medal issued for the capture of Louisburg.
- Tableau of Sergeant John Shipp leading the Forlorn Hope at the Siege of Bhurtpore
- A fine 1793 Volunteer drill book.
19th & 20th Centuries: See how uniforms evolved during this period from bright reds and blues to the Khaki worn in the Boer War. Muskets also developed into rifles and swords largely became ceremonial. It was at this point in history that, following a reorganisation of the Army, Chester Castle became the Depot of the Cheshire Regiment in 1881.
- The alabaster chair of the Amir of Scinde
- A display of keepsakes and official gifts to the Regiment by the ladies of the County.
WW1 and Remembrance: One of our main exhibits is a typical trench of The Western Front. The display cases contain personal items and captured weapons from the ‘Great War for Civilisation’.
- A replica 8ft trench
- Us the periscope to see ‘no mans land’
- Take a peep at an officer having a camp bath.
- A Maxim gun mounted on its carriage
- An area dedicated to remembrance.
World War 2: This area looks at the Cheshire Yeomanry who went to war in the Middle East with their horses and the Cavalry Division became involved in the take over of Vichy French possessions in Syria and the Lebanon. In 1938, four Regiments of the Army, among them all six Battalions of The Cheshire Regiment, were trained as Machine Gun specialists. One of the Machine Gun Training Centres was here at The Castle.
- A display of rifles and signals equipment
- A Vickers .303in Medium Machine Gun!
- Story Boards of individuals
- The ‘home front’
- Unique to this Museum is one of the pens used at the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri in 1945.
Your Modern Armed Forces
- Royal Navy: HMS Albion is a landing platform dock and an important component of the modern surface fleet. Albion is affiliated to both the City of Chester and the Mercian Regiment. Launched on 9th March 2001 she served as the Royal Navy flagship from 2010 –11. The ship is due to begin operational service once more in 2018 after a major refit.
- Army: The Mercian Regiment - The Mercian Regiment is your local infantry regiment. Formed on 1st September 2007 from The Cheshire Regiment, Staffordshire Regiment and Worcester & Sherwood Foresters. The Regiment recruits from the five counties which made up the ancient Kingdom of Mercia. The Regimental mascot is a Swaledale ram, Private Derby. He has his own Regimental number and draws his rations just like any other soldier. Queen’s Own Yeomanry - One of the Army Reserves light armoured reconnaissance regiments, with Squadrons here in Chester and at Newcastle, York and Wigan. They operate from RWMIK (Revised Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) Land Rovers.
- Royal Air Force: Cheshire has had a long association with the RAF since its formation in 1918. In the Second World War there were a number of active airfields nearby. 610 (County of Chester) squadron formed in Hooton Park in 1936 and disbanded in 1957. Today our nearest active base is RAF Woodvale, a training station.
0.09 miles
