Museums & Galleries · Wiltshire
The Rifles Museum
📍 SP1 2EX
Photo: Basher Eyre (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Over 65,000 objects in the collection
- Three brand-new permanent galleries plus temporary exhibition space
- Research your ancestor's regimental service and war diaries
- Large garden with views of the River Avon
- Learn the history of Berkshire and Wiltshire regiments
The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum is housed within The Wardrobe, a historic 58 The Close building in Salisbury with over 800 years of history. Inside you'll find over 65,000 objects across three newly redeveloped permanent galleries, telling the story of soldiers from Berkshire and Wiltshire regiments over 250 years, alongside war diaries and research resources for tracing ancestors' service. There's also a museum shop and a large garden with views of the River Avon. It suits history enthusiasts, families and anyone with a military or local connection. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, with entry by donation. In Wiltshire, it's close to Salisbury station, the River Avon at Queen Elizabeth Gardens, and 24 bookable places to stay within 5 miles.
Practical details
- Open
- Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, including Bank Holidays
- Booking
- Entry is by donation
- Best for
- History and military heritage enthusiasts, families researching ancestors
From the attraction's own website on 22 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Gift Shop
- ✓ Guided Tours
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Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near The Rifles Museum
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
0.3 mi
0.3 mi
The Red Lion Hotel
✓ Europe's oldest purpose-built hotel, dating back over 800 years
🏖️ 0.39 miles from River Avon at Queen Elizabeth Gardens
Salisbury
0.3 mi
0.4 mi
The Merchant's House Hotel
✓ Family-run hotel in the heart of historic Salisbury city centre
🏖️ 0.45 miles from River Avon at Queen Elizabeth Gardens
Salisbury
0.4 mi
Riverside Hotel
✓ Set in grounds leading down to the River Nadder
🏖️ 0.53 miles from River Avon at Queen Elizabeth Gardens
Salisbury
0.4 mi
The Old Mill
✓ Historic five-century-old former mill with riverside setting
🏖️ 0.37 miles from River Avon at Queen Elizabeth Gardens
Salisbury
🎪 What's on near The Rifles Museum
Events from
Skiddle
Fri 13 Nov · 19:45
Headliner Arthur Smith for a night of Stand up comedy
Southampton, The Attic, Southampton · 17.2 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 12:00
Salisbury Audio Tour: From Sacred Spires to Historic Crises
Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury · 0.2 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 4 Dec · 19:00
Beauty and the Beast
Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury · 0.3 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Sat 5 Dec · 18:30
Carsick
Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury · 0.5 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to The Rifles Museum into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
Live trains to Salisbury →Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page