Priddy's Hard was selected as a magazine site because its peninsula location allowed munitions to be moved by water, minimizing the risk of explosions in urban Portsmouth.
The buildings utilize thick masonry and specialized structural designs intended to direct the force of any potential blast upward rather than outward.
A 'tramway' system once used to move heavy ammunition between buildings is still visible on the grounds.
The Grand Magazine, completed in 1777, is the oldest building on the site and was designed to store up to 10,000 barrels of gunpowder.
The museum grounds include a 'cemetery' for decommissioned missiles and torpedoes.
The site was once a top-secret location during the World Wars, restricted to military personnel only.
Construction of the original magazine was necessitated by the need to relocate gunpowder stores away from the vulnerable Portsmouth Dockyard.
The site features an 18th-century laboratory building where workers once assembled explosive components by hand.
The Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower is housed within the former Royal Navy armament depot at Priddy's Hard, Gosport. The site served as the primary ordnance store for the Royal Navy from the 18th century until 1991. The museum occupies original laboratory and magazine buildings designed to store gunpowder and explosive munitions safely. Exhibits trace the evolution of naval warfare from early gunpowder weapons to modern guided missiles. Visitors explore heritage structures that were specifically reinforced to withstand accidental explosions. The site is situated on a peninsula across the harbour from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It is part of the National Museum of the Royal Navy network.
The old tramway tracks leading toward the historic magazine buildings with the harbour in the background.
Combine your visit with a trip across the harbour via the ferry from Portsmouth for a scenic approach.
Allocate time to explore the outdoor historical grounds, as the architecture itself is as significant as the indoor displays.
Check the official website for special guided tours of the magazines, which may require pre-booking.
Do not assume the museum is located within the main Portsmouth Historic Dockyard complex; it requires a separate journey across the water or a drive around the harbour.
Frequently operates on a seasonal basis or limited days per week; check current operating status before travel as it is not a daily-open facility.
