New funding brings Marines museum a step closer

Many of the displays would reflect the "reality of the modern service experience"

A 19th century boathouse is a step closer to being transformed into a museum, following a multi-million pound cash infusion.

The new Royal Marines Museum would be constructed inside the Grade II listed Boathouse 6 building at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

About £4.9 million has now been pledged by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, bringing the total amount secured to £6 million.

The project is expected to cost £14 million in total.

The Grade II listed boathouse was built in 1846

The former Royal Marines Museum closed in 2017 due to the "irreversible deterioration" of its previous home at Eastney Barracks.

Plans to relocate the museum to the boathouse were delayed in 2018 after a lottery grant of nearly £13 million was refused.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is already home to several naval attractions, including HMS Victory, The Mary Rose and HMS Warrior.

Exhibits at the new museum would encompass four centuries of Royal Marines' history, including objects, galleries and hands-on experiences, a spokesperson said.

Visitors would be able to follow the story across the ground floor of Boathouse 6, exploring the story of the Corps through an "immersive route".

The new Royal Marines Museum would be next to the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) in Portsmouth

A gallery and a Marines Commando-themed Laser Quest Arena are also part of proposals for the 1840s building.

If the remaining money is sourced, the refurbished site would open in the summer of 2026.

Matthew Sheldon, the museum's CEO, said the project would bring a set of new visitor experiences to the dockyard, including the opportunity to learn about Royal Marines Commandos.

“The National Museum of the Royal Navy is ecstatic to have secured round one development funding for the re-imagination of Boathouse 6," he added.