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Explosion! is a fantastic destination for group organisers and coach operators. A visit to Explosion! can be tied in with a visit to Gosport's Submarine Museum, a trip around Portsmouth Harbour or the award winning Oakleaf Brewery. not to mention other attractions around the Harbour - HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose and Gunwharf Quays.

Coach parking is available on site at Priddy's Hard or nearby, and the museum offers both an attractive discount for groups as well as a coach drivers incentive scheme. For more information on this scheme email mfarrance@explosion.org.uk. We offer a discount of 20% on parties of 10 or more & Party-leaders are FREE

Explosion! is now an associate member of GTIO – so come and find us at the GTIO AGM in Bristol and tell us what your group wants.

Rare Guns on display for Specialist Groups

If your group are keen enthusiasts, book a tour of our Armoury and see rare pistols, machine guns and John Wayne’s favourite rifle.   Rare guns include a Winchester Rifle 73, several pistols that were surrendered by the German fleet at Scapa Flow in 1918 and a set of extremely rare Pederson rifles that were trialed by the British army in the 1920s.

Local volunteers who work to conserve the unique collection at The Museum of Naval Firepower will be available to give guided tours of the stores and vaults that are not normally open to the public.

Ghost Walks for Groups

Book a special twilight visit to The Museum of Naval Firepower and combine this with a Ghost Walk around the heritage buildings and vaults of Priddy’s Hard with an Edwardian Coroner as your Guide.

Ghost Walks are £3 per person, minimum group 20 – available October – March. 

C Magazine at Priddy’s Hard

Ghost Investigation at Explosion!

The oldest organisation in Great Britain associated with psychical research will be conducting an investigation into the ghost stories of The Museum of Naval Firepower at Priddy’s Hard in Gosport on Saturday 16 October.  Sightings of ghosts that have been reported over the years at the former Armaments Depot where the award winning Explosion!, Museum of Naval Firepower is now sited.

Bill Sainsbury, Events Manager said, “ Historical research has uncovered 12 deaths in the eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings of the former Armaments Depot at Priddy’s Hard. It will be very interesting to see what the psychical research discovers”

Priddy’s Hard in Gosport was first used to store gunpowder for Nelson’s fleet in 1775 when the first gunpowder magazine – The Grand Magazine - was opened.  Since then Priddy’s Hard has supplied the Navy with explosives through the Crimean War and into the twentieth century when the site became a huge bustling Armaments Depot employing over 4000 people during the Second World War.  The depot closed in 1989.  The untimely deaths have happened at Priddy’s Hard have been as a result of accidental explosions and in one case an “unnatural” gust of wind, rumoured to be the evil spirit of a convict labourer who died in the same spot.  Sightings of many of the past unfortunate souls have been rumoured by former workers of the Royal Navy Armaments Depot over the years including more recently security guards that have looked after the listed buildings.

The Ghost Club, founded in 1862 focuses on paranormal phenomena such as ghosts and hauntings. Past members have included Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Donald Campbell, present members include the founder of Operations Drake and Raleigh, Colonel John Blashford-Snell.MBE.

The psychic research will take place while a production of Hard Times by Charles Dickens is performed in  The Grand Magazine on Saturday 16 October.

Go behind the Scenes at Explosion!

Many groups have enjoyed a Behind the Scenes tour at Explosion! as an add on to their visit.  Groups have found it a real treat to meet either our curator Chris Henry, a published expert on military history and armaments, an ex RN Gunner or a former Priddy’s Hard worker who can really bring our collection and buildings to life. The behind the scenes tour includes a visit of our Reserve Gun collection and a Victorian explosives vault.  These tours can be tailored made to your group and must be booked in advance. To book call 023 9250 5600

 

Solent Prince on Portsmouth Harbour

 

Cruise around Portsmouth Harbour when your Group visit Explosion!

Visit The Museum of Naval Firepower at Priddy’s Hard in Gosport and see where the gunpowder for Nelson’s fleet was stored and supplied from and where munitions for D-Day were prepared. Then complete your visit with a cruise around Portsmouth Harbour and see HMS Victory and today’s Navy from the water. Combined Museum and Harbour tickets are:

Please note that all Harbour Tours must be booked in advance. Prices available on request.

Want a Speaker with a difference?

If you are always on the hunt for an interesting speaker for your meetings, why not book one of our experts who can tell your group about Priddy’s Hard and what it was like to work in a busy Armaments Depot from the Battle of Trafalgar to the Falklands War.

Fancy a Pint when you visit Explosion?

Now you can!  Explosion! has teamed up with the award winning Oakleaf brewery in Gosport to offer an alternative visit. Your group can now visit Explosion! in the morning and then go on a brewery tour and sample a range of award winning real ales.  Adults: £9.50 Concs: £7.70

This visit package has to be prebooked.

For further information about groups bookings please contact Explosion! on 023 9250 5600 or e-mail mfarrance@explosion.org.uk

 

Coach Drivers Trade Deal

"The Gosport Waterfront Experience"

Gosport's waterfront heritage attractions have teamed up to offer a great new deal for Coach Drivers. The offer includes cash incentive, free entry and meal voucher. Plus a saving of 30% off normal group admission prices when combining a visit to both Explosion!, The Museum of Naval Firepower & The Royal Navy Submarine Museum.  For every 10 group rated tickets purchased the coach driver, can have 2 free.  Add this with free food and the saving of up to 30% with the joint attraction ticket it adds up to a great deal. A visit to Gosport's great waterfront on Portsmouth Harbour is a day out not to be missed! 

For bookings contact 023 9250 5600
Or email:mfarrance@explosion.org.uk

Explosion! Priddy's Hard, Gosport
Free Coach & Car-parking.
Gift shops.
Cafés & Waterfront picnic areas.