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About the Museum

Adjacent to Winchester’s historic Great Hall and just a short stroll from the city centre, The Rifleman’s Museum has been welcoming visitors since its opening in 1989 and draws thousands of visitors each year. Spread over two floors, the museum offers a compelling chronological journey through over two and a half centuries of the Rifleman’s history, highlighting remarkable stories of bravery. It guides visitors in the footsteps of the lineage of the Royal Green Jackets, their predecessors, and their evolution into the modern Rifles, formed in 2007 through the amalgamation of the Royal Green Jackets and other regiments. The museum demonstrates how rifle regiments have historically been at the forefront of soldiering and innovation, showcasing their advanced approaches compared to others. It also highlights how Riflemen continue to stand out in the army even today.

Popular Attractions

The Waterloo Diorama is a 25 square metre model of the Battle of Waterloo featuring 30,000 model soldiers and horses, with an informative 5 minute sound and light commentary to guide you through the events of the battle on 18th June 1815.

The Victoria Cross display includes a touch screen giving visitors access to detailed information about actions and personal histories of each of the regiments’ 59 Victoria Cross winners. 30 of these Victoria Cross medals are on display around the museum, illustrating stories of enduring courage and bravery.

The Victoria Cross display includes a touch screen giving visitors access to detailed information about actions and personal histories of each of the regiments’ 59 Victoria Cross winners. 30 of these Victoria Cross medals are on display around the museum, illustrating stories of enduring courage and bravery.

Our weapons collection features dozens of unique and historically significant pieces, including a sporting gun once owned by Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, and the swords of Sir John Moore. You can also get hands-on with history by handling a selection of weapons, including the iconic Baker Rifle and India Pattern Musket, to experience what it might have felt like to wield them!

The Museum collection contains uniforms from all periods of the history of Riflemen – from the only surviving 5/60th Rifles Officer’s uniform and the Duke of Wellington’s Rifle Brigade court dress, to the uniform worn by ‘Andy McNab’ DCM MM of Bravo Two Zero fame when he was a prisoner of the Iraqis during the first Gulf War (1991). We even have a selection of uniforms to try on and take pictures in.

The Museum collection contains uniforms from all periods of the history of Riflemen – from the only surviving 5/60th Rifles Officer’s uniform and the Duke of Wellington’s Rifle Brigade court dress, to the uniform worn by ‘Andy McNab’ DCM MM of Bravo Two Zero fame when he was a prisoner of the Iraqis during the first Gulf War (1991). We even have a selection of uniforms to try on and take pictures in.

The Museum showcases a diverse collection of paintings, drawings, and artwork, including a striking portrait of Sir John Moore by the renowned 19th-century artist Thomas Lawrence. These icons, portraits, and vivid battle scenes throughout the Museum bring the stories of the soldiers to life, illustrating acts of courage and heroism highlighted in the exhibits, and deepening your connection to the history of the Riflemen.