National Lottery Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10 million
The former Royal Marines Museum closed in 2017. It was then necessary to secure the collection across three different storage sites. The pandemic disrupted plans for a new home but now the reuniting of the collection under one roof is in sight.
Boathouse 6, completed in 1848, is an imposing Grade II* listed building designed by two military engineers for the manufacture and repair of ship’s boats. It sits within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home to the Mary Rose Museum and HMS Victory.
Our grant of £4.4million – awarded to the National Museum of the Royal Navy – will enable the transformation of this historic structure into a contemporary museum with every generation of visitor in mind.
The reimagined museum will include:
- A 400 square metre special exhibition gallery
- A family-focused Marines-themed Laser Quest arena
- A dual-use public programming and conference facility, linked to a 275-seat auditorium
The works will also improve the sustainability, accessibility and adaptability of the site.
Responding to audience research, exhibitions and events will share new narratives about naval history. By partnering with other heritage sites and local organisations, the project team hope to extend the impact of the collection beyond the Historic Dockyard – ensuring this important heritage is more accessible, relevant and valued.
Discover more projects we’re supporting across London and the South of England.
