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

OPENING TIMES - 2024

We Are A Volunteer Run FULLY ACCREDITED Museum And Aim To Open
Every weekend
Between Easter Weekend and End of October
Open 11AM - 4PM, Last Entry 3:30PM
Free Entry - Free Parking - Nearby Facilities
>>> DIRECTIONS <<<

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


the Museum OPEN season RUNS FROM EASTER saturday, 30th March 2024 TO END OF OCTOBER 2024.
Pre-Arranged VISITS ARE AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS.

**  To REQUEST Group/Individual Visits (Wednesday Mornings YEAR ROUND) Please CONTACT US   **


FROM BOYS INTO MEN

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 on 30th/31st March through to the end of October. 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 open days, or you wish to organise a special trip out of usual hours, please contact us and we will endeavour to accommodate your request.

Please remember that we are all volunteers so at least 14 days notice is appreciated.   


FREE ENTRY
 

Entry is free although all Donations are most welcome and are put towards Museum upkeep and running costs. No booking or tickets are required for admission on the normal open days.

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 11 am and 1 pm 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 and 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 between 11 am to 1 pm with at least 14 days advance notice 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..


Ganges Hammock LessonThe Mast3 Ganges BoysCaptainIndian PrinceMarching

New "HMS Ganges Revisited" Video

Please visit the Shop/Slops page to view the evaluation copy of the "HMS Ganges Revisited" video.

The Full HD version is available to purchase and download directly from Jim Worlding.

All proceeds go to HMS Ganges Museum.

HMS Ganges revisited Video