Find out about: Britannia Museum, Britannia Royal Naval College

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Britannia Museum, Britannia Royal Naval College

As the site of officer training for the Royal Navy for over a century, Britannia Royal Naval College in many respects resembles a living museum, not unlike a stately home, in which modern day-to-day life exists in parallel with a rich history and tradition. 

The College is an imposing Edwardian building that stands on Mount Boone overlooking the town of Dartmouth. It was designed by Aston Webb, opened in 1905, and is responsible for the initial training of officers for the Royal Navy. Dartmouth has been associated with the training of potential officers since 1863 when the warship, HMS Britannia, arrived in Dartmouth to be the Officer Training College.

The Britannia Museum is housed in one of the former Cadet Gunrooms and was opened in 1999 by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. The Museum explores the history of Officer Training at Dartmouth.

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Facilities

  • Toilets On-Site

    Toilets On-Site

Entrance to College & Museum is by pre-booked tour only.
There is limited disabled access.
Dartmouth town provides park and ride carpark.
Numerous cafes and resturants near by.

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Our Collections

In addition to the main collection theme of items relating to the education and training of Young Officers, the College has paintings and artefacts illustrating the history of Officer training. The collection also includes a large number of general naval historical items to inspire the cadets and instil a sense of tradition in the Young Officers of today.

 

Bone Ship Models

A fine collection of French prisoner of war bone ship models, two of these representing HMS Britannia. These were fashioned from bone from the prisoners' daily ration of mutton. The late L.J. Cadbury built up the core of this fine collection.

Bone Ship Models

Life onboard HMS Britannia (1863-1905)

Every cadet at the College kept all of his belongings in a sea chest. These would be taken away to sea with them and their uniform size and shape made them easy to stack and store.

Life onboard HMS Britannia (1863-1905)

College Archive

The College Archive has a large collection of Midshipmen's journals and punishment records from HMS Britannia. There are a number of famous cadets whose punishment records make interesting reading, such as that of Prince Edward from 1877, which is displayed in the Museum.

College Archive

Birley Gallery

The Birley Gallery in the College probably holds the largest single collection of portraits by Sir Oswold Birley. The majority of this imposing collection came to Dartmouth from the Royal Naval College at Greenwich.

Birley Gallery

Royal Collection

The College has a long association with the Royal Family and has many fine portraits, photographs and artefacts, that record their visits to the College. One such artefact is a fine silver statuette of Britannia sporting the Prince of Wales feathers on her helmet.

Royal Collection
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Our Latest news

  • Museum room under refurbishment

    01 March 2012

    The Museum is currently undergoing refurbishment and is being upgraded to reflect the need...read more

more news