As the national home of the history and heritage of the Army, the Museum sits at the heart of Chelsea, with 80% visits made by residents in London. The Museum provides a free space for older residents of the Borough to gather and share their experiences, with over a quarter of visitors aged 55 and above.

The free learning programme is at full capacity, with over 5,000 pupils attending from schools in Kensington and Chelsea. The proposals include a new underground gallery space which will explore the Army’s global stories, fostering identity and inclusion, and new interpretation on the Army’s role in science, technology, and mathematics. This extra capacity will unlock more opportunities for local school learners.

A 140-seat lecture theatre will transform the Museum’s Learning, Community and Local History programming, and will accommodate a new borough heritage partnership network with local groups.

Together with the new public Museum Garden, these additions will all be delivered using the land currently occupied by a car park.

Today

• Free family activities at weekends and school holidays, with over 1000 participants in half-term workshops in February 2025. 15,000 school pupils participate in an award-wining programme each year.
• Recognised with the Sandford Award for Museum Learning for the third time in 2024.
• Over 2,600 residents attend free Friday lectures, showcasing the latest research by emerging and established military historians.
• Around 180 pupils from six local primary schools supported annually to achieve the Arts Award Discover Level by Trinity College London.

The Future

• Monthly coffee mornings shared with local networks as part of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter initiative.
• New sensory tours to recreate landmark moments in Army history, building on a programme of initiatives to make military history accessible to all.
• New Community Garden with quiet reflection spaces for wellbeing, and community art installations and exhibitions.
• The extension of the Museum is estimated to increase visits by 15% and in turn increasing local spend, particularly for businesses around nearby stations such as Sloane Square and Victoria.

Proposed axonometric of the new garden and gallery extension.