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Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum

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The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum

The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum showcases the history of Berkshire & Wiltshire's county regiments.

The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum showcases the history of the County Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire and their more recent successors.

05/09/2026

ONE WEEK TO GO!

There are only seven days to go until World at War Weekend arrives at The Wardrobe! 🎖️

📅 12th & 13th September 2026
🕙 10am–5pm
🎟️ FREE ENTRY – donations welcome!

Step back into the turbulent years of the twentieth century and discover the experiences of soldiers and civilians during the First and Second World Wars.

Throughout the weekend, we’ll be joined by a fantastic range of living history and re-enactment groups, including The Great War Society, The Wiltshire Home Guard and The Wiltshires of the Great War, bringing history to life through authentic displays, demonstrations and encampments.

🔎 Explore period uniforms, equipment, weaponry and personal items.
⛺ Discover what life was like on the front line and at home.
📖 Hear the stories of the people who lived through these defining conflicts.
⚙️ Learn about the technology and innovations that shaped the modern world.

Whether you’re a dedicated military history enthusiast or simply curious about the past, there’s something for everyone to discover.

Bring the family and step into history with us. We’ll see you next weekend! 🎖️

03/09/2026

Thank you to all who came to our evening talk last night!

We had a fantastic evening with our curator, Bethany, recounting the 800-year history of our home, The Wardrobe. From its medieval beginnings to the modern day, we were taken through a fascinating journey.

Join us for our next talk on Wednesday 7th October for our next talk with armourer, Ian Perry. Ian will be taking bayonet charge through 300 years of soldiering through the lense of eight fi****ms, from muskets to the SA80.

Tickets can be purchased online through our website: https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/whats-on/rifling-through-history-evening-talk-1st-july-2026

29/08/2026

Looking for an enjoyable way to spend the Bank Holiday weekend? Why not discover something new at The Wardrobe!

Step inside one of Salisbury’s most historic buildings and discover the fascinating stories behind the infantry regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire. Explore our three galleries, get hands-on with our interactive displays, follow one of our children’s trails, or simply take a moment to enjoy our peaceful garden.

Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or simply looking for an interesting way to spend a few hours, there’s plenty to discover!

🕙 Open 10am–5pm (last entry 4:15pm) Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday
🎟️ Entry is free – donations are always very welcome

We look forward to welcoming you this Bank Holiday weekend!

27/08/2026

👻 Make a Mummy! 🏺
Tomorrow is our LAST Friday craft of the summer holidays! Don’t miss your final chance to get creative at The Wardrobe.
Come along and make your very own mummy using an orange! A fun, hands-on activity for children and families, with your creation to take home afterwards.
📅 Friday 28th August
🕙 10am–5pm (last entry 4.15pm)
🎟️ £4 per person
📍 The Wardrobe, Salisbury
No need to book – just drop in and get making!

26/08/2026

What stories could the walls of The Wardrobe tell? 🏛️

There’s now just ONE WEEK to go until our next evening talk at The Wardrobe! 🎟️

Join our curator, Bethany Joyce, on Wednesday 2nd September as she explores the remarkable history of this historic building.

From its medieval origins, through its unexpected role during times of war, to its transformation into the museum we know today, Bethany will uncover the hidden stories of the people who lived and worked within The Wardrobe, and how the building has witnessed and shaped the history of Salisbury across the centuries.

🍷 Wednesday 2nd September
🕡 Doors open: 6:30pm
🕖 Talk: 7pm–8pm
📍 The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum, The Wardrobe, Salisbury
🎟️ Tickets: £12
☕ Includes a free glass of wine or tea/coffee on arrival

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a Salisbury local, or simply curious about one of the city's most fascinating historic buildings, this is an evening not to be missed.

🎟️ Only one week to go — get your tickets now and discover The Wardrobe in a whole new light! Visit our website to book: https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/whats-on/history-house-evening-talk

25/08/2026

'Ordinary people, extraordinary courage...'

On the 25th August 1944, 22-year-old Private Fred Greenwood crossed the River Seine with the 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, as Allied forces pushed eastwards following the liberation of Normandy and sought to establish a bridgehead across the river for the advance into northern France.

Fred had trained as a signaller and landed on Juno Beach on D-Day with the 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, helping maintain vital communications. Two months later, he was selected to reinforce the 5th Wiltshires as the Allied advance pushed across France.

On the 24th August, Fred arrived at Vernon, ready for the planned assault. He listened to the briefing and later recalled:

“God this sounds like a su***de mission. I thought they were mad.”

The following day, Fred was in the lead assault boat as the Wiltshires began their crossing. The boat immediately sank, forcing his group to turn back. They eventually crossed in a second boat.

The crossing was chaotic and deadly. The boats hit a submerged sandbank, while the wind dispersed the smoke screen protecting the assault. German machine-gunners opened fire, and only one of the original eight boats survived.

Once across, Fred began setting up his wireless set to establish communications with the troops on the opposite bank. His position then came under attack.

Despite German soldiers advancing, Fred remained at his post for several hours. Eventually, in the early hours of the morning, he ran out of ammunition and was captured.

Fred spent the rest of the war as a prisoner, held at Stalag 12A and Stalag 7A at Moosburg. He endured starvation, terrible conditions and malaria. Remarkably, he also worked at Munich Zoo, later recalling riding Arabian horses and feeding swedes to the hippopotamuses.

Liberated by American forces on the 29th April 1945, Fred returned to England and became a builder, helping to rebuild Britain after the war. He died in 2014, aged 92.

Fred's story gives us a glimpse of the courage, uncertainty and danger faced by the men who crossed the Seine that day.

23/08/2026

On this day in 1914, the Battle of Mons began.

The battle took place during the opening weeks of the First World War. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF), having arrived in France to support the French Army, took up defensive positions along the Mons–Condé Canal in Belgium as the German First Army advanced through the country. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the British regulars inflicted significant casualties and temporarily halted the German advance. However, this did not last and the British were forced to withdraw. The subsequent Retreat from Mons became a gruelling 200-mile fighting withdrawal towards the Marne, involving a series of battles and rearguard actions.

The 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was part of the BEF and landed in France on the 13th August 1914. By the 22nd August it had reached the Mons area and prepared defensive positions before coming under German artillery and infantry attack. The Royal Berkshires nevertheless took part in the subsequent retreat, enduring long marches and repeated fighting as the BEF fell back towards France. The battalion went on to fight at the Marne and the First Battle of Ypres, where they suffered extremely heavy losses.

The attached image shows Captain Henry Hammond Shott DSO (sat on the left). Born in 1877 to Nils Scjott and Marianne Nichols, Henry was educated at Dulwich College before joining the Army in 1892. He served throughout the Boer War with Bethune's Mounted Infantry, earning the Distinguished Service Order, and transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment afterwards.

Upon the outbreak of war in 1914, Henry deployed to France with the 1st Battalion, taking part in the Battle of Mons. On the 26th August, he was killed during a night attack to retake the Sambre Bridge near Maroilles, becoming the first officer of the Royal Berkshire Regiment to die during the First World War.
During the battle, he is alleged to have encouraged his men under fire whilst smoking a cigarette with the words "Lads, we will smoke!"

After the war, his wife Hazel (who he had married just ten weeks before) visited Maroilles and placed a private memorial stone in his honour.

21/08/2026

FREE summer trail ✨

We’re hosting the Lotta and Lola Museum Trail at The Wardrobe from Saturday 22nd August to Sunday 13th of September!

Pick up a free spotter trail designed by Kids in Museums and Simon Kids UK, inspired by Pudding Now Please, a new and original series from Charlie and Lola creator Lauren Child (), starring Lola and her friend Lotta.

✔️ Free
✔️ Family friendly, great for kids aged 4+ and their siblings
✔️ Free sticker when you finish

🔗 Find out more via the link in bio

The is run by Kids in Museums in partnership with Simon Kids UK

20/08/2026

📸 Picture This! Camera roll craft 🎞️

Get creative this Friday 21st August with our fun camera roll craft activity at The Wardrobe!

✂️ Create and decorate your very own cardboard camera, then make a scrolling picture story to go inside it. A fun, hands-on craft activity for children to enjoy during the summer holidays! ☀️

📅 Friday 21st August
⏰ Drop in anytime 10am–5pm (last entry 4:15pm)
🎟️ £4 per head

No need to book – just drop in and get crafting! 🎨📸

19/08/2026

What stories could the walls of The Wardrobe tell?

Join us here at the museum on Wednesday 2nd September for a fascinating evening with our curator, Bethany Joyce, as she explores the remarkable history of this historic building.

From its medieval origins, through its unexpected role during times of war, to its transformation into the museum we know today, discover the hidden stories of the people who lived and worked within The Wardrobe's walls.

Through captivating stories and intriguing insights, Bethany will uncover how this remarkable building has witnessed, and shaped, the history of Salisbury across the centuries.

🍷 Wednesday 2nd September
🕡 Doors open: 6:30pm
🕖 Talk: 7pm–8pm
📍 The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum, The Wardrobe, Salisbury
🎟️ Tickets: £12
☕ Includes a free glass of wine or tea/coffee on arrival

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a Salisbury local, or simply curious about the story behind one of the city's most fascinating historic buildings, this is an evening not to be missed.

Come and discover The Wardrobe in a whole new light.

🎟️ Book your tickets: https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/whats-on/history-house-evening-talk

Address

The Wardrobe, 58 The Close
Salisbury
SP12EX

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441722419419

Website

http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/home

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