Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

The Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower stands in Gosport, Hampshire, on the site of the old Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy’s Hard. It belongs to the National Museum of the Royal Navy and occupies a historic waterfront building. The museum shows naval weapons from the 18th century to today. Visitors see everything from small arms to large gun turrets and missile systems. The displays include famous guns such as the Victorian RBL 20 pounder Armstrong and the Second World War QF 4 inch Mk XVI naval gun. Post-war weapons include the Exocet missile and the Sea Dart missile. Modern systems like the Sea Wolf missile and the 4.5 inch Mark 8 gun are also shown. Mines, torpedoes and every kind of naval weapon system are covered. A waterside coffee shop looks out over an 18th-century camber dock. The Night Hunters gallery, opened in 2021 with help from the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust, features two preserved boats. One is a 1941 Thornycroft coastal motor boat and the other a 1940 Vosper motor torpedo boat. The museum offers a clear view of naval firepower across three centuries.