About us
The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom’s National Museum of Arms and Armour, one of the largest collections of arms and armour in the world, comprising of the UK’s National Collection of Arms and Armour, National Artillery Collection, and National Firearms Collection. It is also the keeper of Tower of London history.
It is Britain’s oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world.
Our Vision.
To help make Britain a safer place.
Our Mission.
To harness the reputation and relationships of our organisation, the talents of our team and the power of our brand to promote greater safety in all walks of life.
If you thought the Royal Armouries was just about guns, knives and armour in display cases, think again.
It is true that Britain’s oldest museum has earned a formidable reputation for its collection and its knowledge of the history of weaponry but less well-known is the organisation’s work to help make Britain a safer place: raising awareness of the effects of gun crime, working in partnership with the police to remove guns and knives from our streets and, through education, helping young people deal with conflict.
In terms of cultural capital, social inclusion and relevance to the community there are few museums more strongly placed than the national museum of arms and armour. In recent years the Royal Armouries has embarked on a journey to promote the values of responsibility and respect, to establish partnerships and to address the misuse of weaponry and aggression.
The use of violence by humankind for supremacy or survival, or its sublimation into sport or play always has been, and probably always will be, one of the main forces for historical change. This is the underlying theme of the Royal Armouries, a fascinating and often disturbing story of great importance to us and our children. The modern world can be a scary place; from the playground to the football pitch, from the streets to the skies and from day to night, many people see our world as increasingly unsafe.
Since the 1990s, the Royal Armouries has been working with various organisations to help people develop a real understanding of their safety and security. Through educational and community work, exhibitions, gallery enhancements and partnerships we have begun to address some of the most challenging and controversial issues facing contemporary society.
The Royal Armouries has a unique position in society and will use this voice to unite the many stakeholders who believe in a safer world and put the issue of Protection, whether the individual or the community on the national agenda. We will work with the public sector (education, government, police, local authorities), the private sector (brands, retailers, media companies) as well as charities to campaign against gun and knife crime, conflict in the community and dangers to our children.
A 21st-century Call to Arms.
We cannot achieve these ambitions alone. While the Royal Armouries is creating a dedicated campaign co-ordination and management team, we are actively looking for support from those outside the organisation, whether in the public, private or voluntary sectors.
The Royal Armouries is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) whose prime sponsor is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.