A new centre for artillery heritage, at the home of the Gunners.
Our museum was originally based in Woolwich, which was the birthplace of the Royal Artillery more than three centuries ago. Today, the Regiment’s home is no longer Woolwich, but Larkhill in Wiltshire. Gunners have trained here since the nineteenth century. Over half the serving Regiment is based here now, alongside Regimental Headquarters and the Royal School of Artillery. Many Gunner veterans settle in the area when they leave the Army. Our museum is their story: it should be here too.
Locations originally suggested for the future museum proved to be unsuitable, so in 2021-22 we undertook a detailed review of every possible site within 5km of Larkhill. Specialist studies were commissioned from experts in planning, landscape, ecology, archaeology and transport/traffic, and we consulted the Army on its plans for Salisbury Plain Training Area. As a result of this work we have identified a preferred location for the museum, and the next step is to agree with the Army the terms for a lease on the site. Once that is in place, the project can really get started.
In the meantime, we’ve been exploring different ideas about what the future museum might be like. It is likely that we will develop the museum in phases, allowing us to move ahead with an initial project that is affordable without a lengthy fundraising campaign, while planning for carefully managed expansion in the future as our success grows. The initial project has to provide better accommodation for the collection, and centralise our activities at a single site, allowing it to be managed efficiently by our small team of staff and volunteers.
Rather than a grand architectural statement, what we need is a simple military-style building, like those that already characterise Larkhill and its surroundings: in other words, a Gunshed. A central gallery will be closely packed with amazing artillery pieces and military vehicles, all fully accessible to visitors. An introductory history gallery will provide an introduction to our collection and the stories it tells, while a special exhibition gallery will allow for regularly changing themed displays. There will be stores for smaller objects, a conservation workshop and an archive research centre, along with a café and gift shop. Outside will be additional café seating, a children’s play area, and flexible spaces for demonstrations, displays and small events.
It will be the start of an exciting and creative future for Gunner heritage at Larkhill, with a focus on our collections, conservation and communities.