Royal Engineers Museum

Fabulous museum. Much larger than expected with exhibition spanning from 18th century to our times. The vehicles outdoors are monstrous and each tells its own story. If you want to grab something to eat, the cafe is basic and offers some cakes but nothing more. If you love military history, treat yourself with a day out in Gillingham and Chatham. There is so much to see there.

Had never heard of this museum until I did a Google search. Amazing building that houses the museum and really nicely kept. Lots to read and look at with a lot of history about the regiment and all it's campaigns. The museum is laid out well with easy access and good signage. There is a small cafe with a good choice of food and drinks and a gift shop with a selection of gifts. Well worth a visit but probably not for younger children as there is alot of reading to do.

What a great museum, especially for families. There is so much to look at, try on. I particularly like that it’s never too busy so you can enjoy it at your own pace. It also has a nice and quiet cafe area upstairs.

A fantastic experience! The Royal Engineers Museum in Medway is incredibly informative and well laid out, with each exhibit beautifully decorated and packed with fascinating history. The staff were exceptionally polite, knowledgeable, and helpful throughout our visit—they really added to the experience. We were especially impressed with the value for money, as the annual pass means you can return as many times as you like. Highly recommended for anyone interested in military history or just looking for a well-curated day out!

Quick Takeaways 🅿️ Free onsite parking and easy to access 🤝 Friendly, knowledgeable staff 🏛️ Large, well-presented museum with clear layout 💂 Incredible medal room + strong historical storytelling 🪖 Extensive vehicle displays outside and within 🍽️ Café is basic with limited food options 🛍️ Shop is small and not particularly notable ⏱️ Allow 2–3 hours minimum to explore properly ⭐ Highly recommended for military and history enthusiasts Full Review This is an excellent museum and one of the strongest regimental museums I have visited. With ample free parking and close proximity to Chatham, the Royal Engineers Museum is very accessible and housed in the former Royal School of Military Engineering — a striking and historically significant building. Before even entering the museum you are met with an impressive collection of armoured vehicles, including Churchills, Chieftains, Centurions, Trojan, FV180 and Shielder tracked systems. It immediately sets the tone for the scale and quality of what follows. Once inside, staff were friendly, engaging, and clearly knowledgeable. Ticket pricing is reasonable, with discounts for children, pensioners, carers, veterans and local residents. The shop, located at the entrance, is small and functional but nothing special. The museum itself is large, clean, well laid out and very easy to follow. It charts the history, contribution, and technical evolution of the Royal Engineers in a way that is both accessible and informative. Displays are well-lit, signage is clear, and there is a good balance of personal artefacts, uniforms, equipment, stories, and large-scale engineering exhibits. The Medal Room is a particular highlight — densely packed with history, courage and sacrifice. It also underlines how the Royal Engineers, despite not having the public profile of regiments such as the Guards or Paras, were consistently present at critical moments in British military history. There is a café about two-thirds of the way round, offering a selection of drinks and a very small range of food. It does the job but could be improved. After the main museum there is a second exhibition building to the rear containing bridge models, engineering prototypes, vehicles, and an excellent exhibit on the Mulberry Harbour, which is well worth the additional time. Altogether, this is a well-appointed, detailed, and genuinely engaging museum, easily filling 2–3 hours (or longer if you like to take your time). Highly recommended.