A Dorset museum has been named as the best attraction in England after mystery visitors graded it.

Bovington Tank Museum has claimed top spot after international consumer insights consultancy BVA BDRC conducted mystery visits to the nation's leading visitor attractions.

The museum received a mark of 97.9 percent, which was the highest score of any attraction in England visited in 2023.

The report praised every element of The Tank Museum visitor experience, describing it as 'excellent' and it said the staff were 'amazing'.

Dorset Echo: Family activities for children at the Tank Museum Family activities for children at the Tank Museum (Image: Tank Museum)

Rosanna Dean, head of visitor experience at Tank Museum, said: “This score is an indication of the hard work the team have put in over recent years to create an experience that is broader and richer than what most expect from a ‘military museum’.

“The Tank Museum is a modern, interactive and immersive museum with excellent visitor facilities. 

"It’s not just about military machines and technology – it’s as much about the personal experiences of the people that served with them.”

On display among the internationally significant collection of tanks are hundreds of smaller objects that tell incredible human stories.

Dorset Echo: Basil Henriques’ was in command of a Mark I tank during the first ever use of tanks in combat. It was during this battle that his tank was struck by artillery, leading to the creation of the ringBasil Henriques’ was in command of a Mark I tank during the first ever use of tanks in combat. It was during this battle that his tank was struck by artillery, leading to the creation of the ring (Image: Tank Museum)

Rosanna added: “There’s the ring given by a 26-year-old lieutenant to his wife, mounted with glass from a tank vision prism that was smashed in an explosion and embedded in his face.

“Then, there’s the fragile porcelain doll, given by a girlfriend to one tank commander, that became a unit’s good luck charm - surviving numerous battles completely untouched.

“A 23-year-old tank commander’s Victoria Cross is displayed by the tank he commanded on the day he lost his life.

"He was shot numerous times as he selflessly rescued the crew of another tank that had rolled into a shell hole and burst into flames.

Dorset Echo: : This whip was donated in 1951 by Lieutenant Cartmell who said it should be kept as evidence as he feared ‘a day may come when people will refuse to believe such things as Belson really happened.’. : This whip was donated in 1951 by Lieutenant Cartmell who said it should be kept as evidence as he feared ‘a day may come when people will refuse to believe such things as Belson really happened.’. (Image: Tank Museum)

“In another display case, a whip. It was recovered in 1945 from Belsen concentration camp by a tank crewman horrified by all he saw. It’s a reminder of the inhumanity of the Nazi regime that had to be stopped by force at great cost.

She continued: “From a more recent conflict, a helmet - pierced by a bullet. This saved the life of a young tank solider who could have fired first but didn’t – because his target was using a child as human shield.

Dorset Echo: The Tank Museum has a fleet of running tanks, which it displays during school holidays and special events in explosive battlesThe Tank Museum has a fleet of running tanks, which it displays during school holidays and special events in explosive battles (Image: Tank Museum)

“The museum is equally fascinating, educational, inspiring, and moving.  And it’s huge - with the average visit lasting almost four hours.” 

The Tank Museum is open through the Easter Holidays, with Tanks in Action displays and new family activities to enjoy its modern exhibitions.

For more information, visit tankmuseum.org