London trip- Pattern room or similar visit help

[Nigel]

Brian
You might want to try the Combined Military Services Museum at Maldon in Essex Combined Military Services Museum You can probably catch a train there from London (48 miles). It has a massive collection of military firearms, ordnance, grenades, spy equipment. Much of the collection comes from the old MOD Donnington collection. I would rate it as a close 2nd to the National Firearms Collection at Leeds. Check the times for opening.
Nigel

[breakeyp]

I have enjoyed travelling to Leeds and Birmingham by double decker bus. Two man crew, one drives and the other sells tea, coffee and snacks. Just about as fast as the train and a better view of the country.
My first visit in the 80's to the Nottingham Pattern Room required a letter requesting admittance and a reason for the visit. Looking around and kicking the tires won't cut it. They also ran me through Interpol, RCMP and FBI review. I also had to give two different dates for the visit as Military classes given on site had priority. Things got better for later visits as I got to know Herby.
I understand that there is a 15 pound charge per day.

[55recce]

Is there still a school of infantry museum in Warminster? Remember going there as a kid and being shown around by Major Myatt....

[Flying10uk]

When a museum is described as having been made "interactive" I usually think that it is a sign that the museum may have been messed up.

[Surpmil]

Is there still a school of infantry museum in Warminster? Remember going there as a kid and being shown around by Major Myatt....

Would he have been there in 1986? We rolled up at the gate en famille and were given a quick tour by a Capt. or Maj. _______ There was an older W.O. as well who was apparently the actual curator/conservator. I ventured to guess that it must have been useful to have armourers available to at hand to maintain the collection, but he replied with a snort that he wouldn't let them anywhere near the stuff! Such are the errors of youth!

[Brian B]

Thank you all for the excellent insight and suggestions. I fell behind on the quotes and so I added my "Thanks" to each of your thoughtful posts. I have some more research and homework to do. Whatever I end up seeing I know I will enjoy myself. I may be landing in London and immediately heading to Leeds. Our timeframe is tight and trying to be as efficient as possible.

Thank you all and stay tuned,

Brian

[Brian B]

Update!!

I submitted an inquiry to the RA to which I received an immediate response. They forwarded my email to the NFC department. I received an email from Jonathan Ferguson much quicker than I expected. He was very apologetic as they are unable to allow me to see the collection. They are short staffed the day I planned on visiting the RA and couldn't accommodate me. They were all so responsive and kind. He suggested that I reach to as early as possible prior to my next trip to see if I could view the collection. I'm a bit disappointed but what can you do.

I will try some of the other options offered by the group. Thank you all for the help and suggestions!!

Brian

[ssgross]

GBP £180 (one way) per person

WOW...and here I am griping about the new ~$50 tolls one way, the length of I66.

[Mk VII]

Serious researchers can get access to the firearms collection at Leeds, but the general public are not encouraged.

The trouble with the Royal Armouries North is that it is placed in Leeds, an "interesting" train ride away from all the places and people who matter.

The former Enfield Lock site contains not much trace of its former use, now likes to call itself Enfield Island Village - not a very 'nice' area to go. I've driven past it many times, usually on the alternative route back from the office, but I've never bothered to cross the bridge.


The School of Infantry Museum still exists, but it can't call itself a museum as that wouldn't justify funding from the defence vote. Officially, it's a reference collection for the Small Arms School. It is possible to visit (I've been at least twice) but it takes some doing as it's inside the active military base. Again, the ice-cream sucking public are not wanted, and not encouraged.

[Flying10uk]

WOW...and here I am griping about the new ~$50 tolls one way, the length of I66.

Yes the price of train tickets in the UK is embarrassingly expensive and does nothing to encourage people to use the train.

---------- Post added at 01:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 AM ----------

They are short staffed the day I planned on visiting the RA and couldn't accommodate me.

You could email back and suggest visiting a day or two before or after the original date that you suggested and see what response you get.