Welcome to HMS Ganges Museum 
at Shotley Marina, Suffolk, IP9 1QJ 

Our 2024 Season Has Now Concluded

2025 Season Opening
From Easter Saturday, 19th April 2025 to Last Sunday in October 2025

We Are A Volunteer Run, FULLY ACCREDITED, Museum And Aim To Open
Every SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Open 11am - 4PM, Last Entry 3:30PM (CLOSED BANK HOLIDAYS)

Free Entry - Nearby PARKING & Facilities
>>> DIRECTIONS <<<

Download Our Flyer HERE

Check Our Latest Updates at: https://facebook.com/HMSGangesMuseum

GROUP VISITS YEAR ROUND
Pre-Arranged Visits are usually available Year Round on the 1st, 2nd and 4th WEDNESDAY of each month.
**  TO REQUEST Group/Family/Individual Visits on a Wednesday From 11am-1pm Please CONTACT US   **

HMS Ganges Museum is dedicated to the 160,000 boys who went through the gates as boys and marched out as men, from its inception as a Royal Navy Training Establishment (RNTE) in 1905 to its closure in 1976.

The training was tough, brutal at times, yet many of those who came through remember HMS Ganges, at Shotley Gate, with a certain fondness. All the artefacts on display have been donated by former trainees, instructors and staff or their families.

The Museum, which is located within the old Enright Block of the former HMS Ganges RNTE, is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom are former Ganges boys, long in the tooth but with a head full of knowledge, anecdotes and memories whether they went through the full year of training, or as six week wonders in the latter days of Ganges. 

OPENING TIMES    

We aim to open each year between Easter weekend through to the end of October. Throughout 2024 our Open Days are on Saturdays and Sundays  from 11am to 4pm with Last Entry at 3:30pm.  We are closed outside those dates/times unless special arrangements have been made.

If you are unable to visit during our regular open weekends, or you wish to organise a special trip out of usual hours, please contact us and we will endeavour to accommodate your request. We can usually offer PRE BOOKED VISITS on Wednesday mornings,  year round,  between 11am and 1pm with the exception of the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We suggest at least a £5 minimum donation per person for these pre-booked visits.

Please remember that we are all volunteers so at least 14 days notice is required and depends on Volunteer availability.   

FREE ENTRY 

Entry is free although Donations are most welcome and are put towards Museum upkeep and running costs. No booking/tickets required for admission on Saturdays or Sundays. 

DONATIONS

FINANCIAL DONATIONS: We are happy to receive financial donations to the museum at our reception desk. If you would rather donate online Please Visit This Link To DONATE NOW.

DONATED ITEMS: Artefacts relevant to HMS Ganges that you wish to donate  can be brought to the reception desk at the museum during open hours.

Small items may be posted to the Museum as long as they will fit through the letter box.

Please Do Not Post Large Items to the museum because when we are closed there's no way to accept parcels. Please first contact our Secretary via phone or email for postal/shipping instructions. 

Please always provide your contact details as we will provide a numbered receipt to accept your items into our Collection. This receipt will help us to locate the position of your item/s within the museum.  

Please note that not every item can be on permanent display due to space restrictions but will be held in storage for future rotation of displays.

DISABLED ENTRY 

Disabled entry is available but should you require any special assistance please do not hesitate speak to the Attendants who will be happy to assist.

MUSEUM SHOP 

We stock a wide range of competitively priced items which are available to buy  at our Reception Counter. 

FAMILY ARCHIVE SEARCHES  

Volunteers at HMS Ganges Museum are always willing to assist family members  locate information in relation to their relatives who, as boys, joined the Royal Navy at HMS Ganges. This assistance is offered at our open days on Saturdays and Sundays. If you are unable to join us on these days we are also able to offer this service on Wednesday mornings between 11am and 1pm with 14 days advance notice required.

COLLECTION AND ONLINE ARCHIVES

You can read about our collection and visit our online photographic archive resources, pBase and eHive, where you can search through a huge amount of photographs HERE.

TOILET FACILITIES

Toilets are not available within the Museum however we do have an arrangement with the Shipwreck Bar and Restaurant so are able to use their facilities including full disabled facilities. This is located further along the building.

WHERE TO EAT

Shotley Marina is on the former Ganges lower sports field site. As well as the Museum you will also find the adjacent Shipwreck Bar and Restaurant, above which is the Shipwreck Loft.

Both the Bristol Arms and Shotley Rose, which were used by staff and civilians based at Ganges, are still operating. All ex-Ganges boys can be assured of a warm welcome from Shane and his staff at the Bristol, and Sarah, Jamie and staff at the Rose.

See also the Links page for further details.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION  

If you are travelling a long distance or want to  see more of the beautiful Suffolk countryside you might consider the adjacent Shipwreck Loft at Shotley Marina who provide comfortable B&B style accommodation and balcony views.

GROUP VISITS  

HMS Ganges Museum is always happy to open for group visits . These may be from schools, other museums or other groups interested in the history of HMS Ganges. These visits are facilitated throughout the year on Wednesdays  (excluding the 3rd Wednesday of each month) between 11am to 1pm with at least 14 days advanced booking required. 

GROUP PRESENTATIONS

If you are unable to come to us at the Museum we will endeavour to come to your club, school or organisation for a presentation on the life of the Ganges Boys at HMS Ganges, RNTE. Just Contact Us with your request..