Take Ten: Battlefields and War Museums

Where British History Changed

In the 2,000 years since Boudicca led the Celtic revolt against the Romans, England, Wales and Scotland have engaged in countless armed conflicts, from small skirmishes to devastating wars—for centuries between themselves, and since 1709 together as Great Britain. Here is a decalogue of some of the best historic battlefield visits and war museums telling the story of the history-changing conflicts.

1. IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, LONDON

Take the tube to Lambeth North and the museum of Britain’s 20th and 21st-century military history. Not simply a collection of military hardware, the IWM tells the story of the nation’s conflicts and their impact across every element of society. Exhibits now highlight World War I during its centenary.

2. BATTLE ABBEY, EAST SUSSEX

Perhaps the most famous battle in British history, the 1066 Battle of Hasting that marked Duke William’s Norman Conquest, took place here, six miles north of the harbor town of Hastings. Walk the Norman and Saxon battle lines and unpack the whole story at the abbey built by William the Conqueror in thanks for his victory.

3. PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD, HAMPSHIRE

[caption id="attachment_13698818" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PC: UK Government[/caption]

Pick a war; any war: The British navy sailed out of Portsmouth harbor. Still home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth’s dockyard houses famous warships Mary Rose, H.M.S. Victory and H.M.S. Warrior as well as the National Museum of the Royal Navy and more.

4. BOSWORTH BATTLEFIELD HERITAGE CENTRE, LEICESTERSHIRE

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Bosworth Battlefield - geograph.org.uk - 132686

Bosworth Battlefield. PC: Tammy Winand,, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]The clash between King Richard III and the rebel Henry Tudor marked a dramatic turning point in English history. One of the great battlefield visits, Bosworth Field unpacks the battle as it developed and unfolded, with interpretive trails, costumed staff and a terrific diorama of the battle.

5. DOVER CASTLE, KENT

England’s second-largest castle has guarded the Straits of Dover since the 11th century. Its baileys and keep date from King Henry II’s building. Beneath the medieval fortress atop Dover’s white cliffs, huge tunnels dug into the chalk house World War II’s “Hellfire Corner.”

6. FLODDEN FIELD, NORTHUMBERLAND

King James IV and the “flower of Scottish nobility” died in this epic battle in September 1513—the largest ever between England and Scotland. Walk the battlefield trail with informative signboards near the village of Branxton, then visit nearby Etal Castle for a great exhibit of battlefield weapons and relics.

7. IWM DUXFORD, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

The IWM’s museum of World War II’s air war at the best preserved of many East Anglia airfields, collections of warbirds and combat life fill the old hangers. Perhaps the most dramatic exhibit, though, is the purpose-built Museum of the Eighth Air Force, unpacking America’s presence in East Anglia.

8. EDEN CAMP, YORKSHIRE

North Yorkshire’s open spaces seemed a good place to house several POW camps for Nazi prisoners during World War II. The intact camp near Malton unpacks “The Peoples’ War 1939-1945” in a trail rich with artifacts and memories through the prisoner huts and service buildings. This is a fascinating social history of the war.

9. CULLODEN MOOR, INVERNESS

Here on the treeless, defenseless fields near the Moray Firth, the Jacobite army of Highlanders met the Hanoverian redcoats in their decisive 1745 battle. Visit the new National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre for the dramatic story of the battlefield, as well as the Memorial Cairn and Graves of the Clans.

10. CHATHAM HISTORIC DOCKYARD, KENT

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HMS Cavalier at Chatham

HMS Cavalier By Mark.murphy via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]Here on the Medway estuary, ships of line were built, repaired and manned for more than 400 years. The dockyard recreates every aspect of shipbuilding during the age of sail. Chatham’s trio of historic warships includes the Victorian sloop HMS Gannett, World War II Destroyer HMS Cavalier and HMS Ocelot, a Cold War era submarine.

And for even more:

 11. REDOUBT FORTRESS, EAST SUSSEX

Built to defend the South Coast from French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars, this circular brick fort has been a military museum since 1977. It is currently closed for winter but will re-open on March 21.

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By The Voice of Hassocks, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]

12. NATIONAL WAR MUSEUM, EDINBURGH

Located at Edinburgh Castle, right in the heart of Old Town, the National War Museum tells the tales of Scottish war stories--"of battles lost and won, through military artifacts and personal treasures."

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By Stefan Schäfer via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]

13. MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, PHILADELPHIA

Yes, this one is much, much closer to home than pretty much everything else we cover. But the new museum, set to open next year, will celebrate the thirteen colonies's break from of the British monarchy--a pivotal historical time, to say the least, for both Britain and America.

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Museum rendering, NC3D for Robert A.M. Stern Architects[/caption]