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The Tank Museum, Bovington Camp, Dorset

The Tank Museum at Bovington Camp in Dorset offers exhibits illustrating the history of armoured fighting vehicles, and demonstrates them in action. The collection includes almost three hundred vehicles, dating from World War One, to modern times. Lectures on military history, and a range of military subjects are also offered. A range of educational services are available, staffed by a team of educational specialists. Talks are geared towards the National Curriculum, Key Stages 1 - 4. The library holds one of the world's largest collections of books on armoured warfare. The photographic archive holds a quarter of a million images.

Bovington Camp is historically interesting in itself. T.E. Lawrence, or Lawrence of Arabia, enlisted as a recruit in the tank corps after World War One. During the war Lawrence had led daring raids against Turkish forces in the Middle East, and became a celebrated war hero. Lawrence then lived a rather tormented life at Bovington Camp, trying to leave the war, and his celebrity behind by becoming an ordinary recruit. Lawrence took a small cottage near Bovington Camp at Clouds Hill, which he turned into an artistic retreat. Here he worked on the classic book The Seven Pillars Of Wisdom, about his wartime experiences. Clouds Hill is now owned by the National Trust, and is a good place to visit along with the Tank Museum.

 

Address: The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset BH20 6JG

Opening Times: The Tank Museum is open seven days a week, 10am - 5pm. Closed 24th - 26th December and 1st January.

Directions: The Museum is a few miles off the A352 in Dorset, and is signposted from Dorchester, Blandford, Poole, Bere Regis and Wool.

Access: wheelchair access is good.

Contact:

telephone: 01929 405096

fax: 01929 405360

e-mail: info@tankmuseum.org

web site: www.tankmuseum.co.uk

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