Royal Signals Museum
About
From the sudden flare of flaming torches and the menacing glint of sunlight on polished shields to the use of ever more sophisticated computers, the story of military communications is as dramatic and exciting as the history of war itself.
Discover Dorset's Hidden Gem! From semaphore to high tech cyber space, and electronic warfare: discover the rapidly evolving story of the British Army’s dynamic cutting edge ...The Royal Signals.
Nestled in the beautiful countryside of North Dorset, in the attractive Edwardian town of Blandford Forum, this modern museum traces the history of the British Army’s battlefield communications experts from the introduction of the telegraph in the Crimea to the secretive story of cryptography and cyber warfare via espionage and satellites! A voyage of discovery through hands-on, family-friendly interactive displays: guide a laser beam, "direction find" the enemy, set up satellite networks, break codes, practice Morse more! Nestled in the beautiful countryside of North Dorset, in the attractive Edwardian town of Blandford Forum, this modern museum traces the history of the British Army’s battlefield communications experts from the introduction of the telegraph in the Crimea to the secretive story of cryptography and cyber warfare via espionage and satellites! A voyage of discovery through hands-on, family-friendly interactive displays: guide a laser beam, "direction find" the enemy, set up satellite networks, break codes, practice Morse more! Nestled in the beautiful countryside of North Dorset, in the attractive Edwardian town of Blandford Forum, this modern museum traces the history of the British Army’s battlefield communications experts from the introduction of the telegraph in the Crimea to the secretive story of cryptography and cyber warfare via espionage and satellites! A voyage of discovery through hands-on, family-friendly interactive displays: guide a laser beam, "direction find" the enemy, set up satellite networks, break codes, practice Morse more!
Closed temporarily due to Covid-19 pandemic
Admission:
Adults £ 8.00;
Senior Citizens, Concessions £ 7.00;
Children (5-16) £ 6.00;
Family Ticket (2+2) £24.00;
Group rates available (10+) 10% Discount;
Colleges £5.00;
Schools £4.50;
Youth Groups £4.50;
Archive entry £ 8.00 - MUST BE ARRANGED IN ADVANCE.
Guided Tours £30.00 + Admission (Max 20 per guide)
Opening Times:
Monday – Friday: 10 – 5 (Last entry 4) All year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day); Weekends & Bank Holidays from Feb 17 until Oct 27: 10 to 4 (last entry 3pm)
Museum closed: RSA Event 20 & 21; Jun Closed 'til 12.00; 24 - 26 Dec 31 Dec & 1 Jan
Learning
The Museum offers sessions for schools cross Key Stages 2, 3 & 4 for History, Science, Art, Maths, ICT, including topics 1st World War, 2nd World War, Modern Conflict, Codes and Code Breaking, Communications Technology.
Facilities
| Parking | |
| Refreshments | |
| Gift shop | Yes |
| Gardens/Grounds | |
| Toilets | |
| Toilets for Wheelchair Users | |
| Guided Tours | |
| Audio Tours | |
| Wheelchair Accessability | The Museum is fully accessible to disabled visitors with lifts for wheelchairs. |
| Induction Loop | |
| Facilities for the Blind / Visually Impaired | |
| Group Visits | |
| School Visits | |
| Outreach activities |
Contact
Blandford Camp
Blandford Forum
Dorset
DT11 8RH
01258 482 248
The set in the photo was used by Dutch résistance in the Einhoven Helmond area, it was made using parts stolen from a local Phillips factory. The BBC Overseas Service “Radio Londres” broadcast messages to the resistance using “messages personnels ” – devised by Georges Bégués – a Royal Signals Officer. This culminated in the line from a French poem Les sanglots longs des violons de l’automne blessent mon cœur d’une langueur monotone (The violins of autumn wound my heart with a monotonous languor) which warned Resistance agents of the imminent invasion (within 24 Hrs) of Normandy in June 1944.
