1. Home

Royal Armouries – National Museum of Arms and Armour, keepers of Tower of London history, and National Collection of Artillery. We have museums in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Tower of London and Portsmouth.

2. Collections

The Royal Armouries collection consists of arms, armour and artillery dating from antiquity to the present day, fine and decorative arts, a special collection of material relating to the history of the Tower of London, a library and archives.

3. Video

See all of the Royal Armouries videos here in one place. These have all been posted on YouTube™.

4. Fort Nelson Events

Big guns
Gun firing
Large scale military tattoos and fly pasts
Explore underground passages
Children’s activities

Click here for more information about current events at Fort Nelson.

5. The Arms and Armour Society

The Arms and Armour Society is one of the leading groups in the world of those concerned with the study, collection and preservation of arms and armour.

6. Self Defence

Self Defence gallery at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

7. Hunting

The Hunting gallery at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

8. Craft Court

The Craft Court houses our Gunmaker, Wardrobe department and the armourer’s workshop. All can be viewed at work by the public.

9. Capital Projects

The Royal Armouries has a programme of projects that require capital funding, find out how you can get involved.

10. Education and Outreach

Sponsorship opportunities at the Royal Armouries in support of our education and outreach programme.

11. Events

For high drama and explosive action, Fort Nelson is the place to visit! Enjoy large-scale historical battle re-enactments, exciting hands-on children’s activities and much, much more!

12. Galleries

The galleries at Fort Nelson are located in the converted main Barrack Rooms and show the development and history of artillery.

13. General Sir John Lefroy

A brief account of the life and work of General Sir John Lefroy (1817-1890)

14. Memories Project

The museum is currently looking for ex-servicemen and women to share their stories and memories of the weapons and equipment they used whilst on active service, and be re-united with them.

15. Impact

Impact display in the Self Defence gallery at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

16. 18th Century

18th century War gallery at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

17. 19th Century

19th century War gallery at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

18. Weapons as works of Art

Weapons used in hunting were often highly decorated to show off the wealth and status of their owner.

19. Self-defence

Self-defence display in the Self Defence gallery at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

20. Civil Forces

Civil forces display in the Self Defence gallery at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

21. Peter Smithurst

Peter Smithurst is Emeritus Curator of Historical Firearms at the Royal Armouries Museum based in Leeds.

22. Firearms

Simple firearms appeared in Europe in the early 14th century, but they were noisy, smoky and inaccurate and therefore not very suitable for hunting.

23. English Civil Wars Muskets

Information about muskets suitable for KS3 History: English Civil Wars.

24. Harquebusier armour

Information about harquebusier armour suitable for KS3 History: English Civil Wars.