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The National War Museum is located within Edinburgh Castle. Find out how to get the most from your visit here.
Edinburgh Castle,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2NG
Tel: 0300 123 6789
Entry to the museum is free.
Historic Environment Scotland charges for admission to Edinburgh Castle where the National War Museum is located.
Further visiting information is available on the Edinburgh Castle website.
Museum open
Open daily, 09:45 - 17:00
We can't wait to welcome you back to the National War Museum. We have made some changes to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible.
As the National War Museum is located within Edinburgh Castle, please refer to the Edinburgh Castle website to buy your tickets and plan a visit.
A range of safety measures are in place in line with Scottish Government guidelines such as enhanced cleaning, sneeze screens and hand sanitising stations.
From Monday 18 April, there is no longer a legal requirement to wear face coverings but we still strongly recommend that visitors wear them in our indoor spaces to help protect themselves and our staff.
We want you to have a safe and enjoyable visit. During your visit, we ask you to:
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Please keep your distance from others (1m). |  |
We recommend wearing face coverings in our indoor spaces. |
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Use the hand sanitiser provided. |  |
Please note card payments only. |
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Wash your hands often. |
Please do not visit the museum if you or anyone in your household has any symptoms of Coronavirus.
Toilets
Toilets are available at the museum.
Baby changing
Baby changing facilities are available.
Access
All galleries are accessible. An adapted courtesy vehicle is available to take visitors to the museum.
Hearing loop
An induction loop is available for the gallery film.
Assistance dog
Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum.
Café
There are two cafés in Edinburgh Castle, the Redcoat Café and the Tea Rooms.
The legal requirement to wear face coverings in our museums has lifted. However, we still strongly recommend that all visitors over the age of 12 wear them in our indoor spaces to help protect themselves and our staff.
The majority of the galleries at the National War Museum are open, apart from Active Service (Gallery 6) and the Special Exhibition Gallery (Gallery 7), which will open at a later date.
Some interactive displays and high-touch areas are temporarily closed for your safety.
Toilets and baby changing facilities are available inside the National War Museum. In line with Scottish Government guidelines and our commitment to ensure the safety of our visitors as much as possible, we have increased the frequency and expanded the cleaning regime in these facilities each day. Please refer to the onsite signage and speak to the team should you have any questions during your visit.
Refreshments at Edinburgh Castle are provided by Historic Environment Scotland. Please refer to the Edinburgh Castle website for the latest information.
The museum shop is open, accepting card payments only.
Families and children of all ages are welcome at the National War Museum. The museum has a policy in place if children become separated from their party. Toilets and baby changing facilities are available inside the National War Museum.
Refreshments at Edinburgh Castle are provided by Historic Environment Scotland. Please refer to the Edinburgh Castle website for the latest information.
We are happy for you to take photographs, including flash photography, in the galleries unless otherwise stated.
No prior permission is needed for photography intended for personal use. However, anyone wishing to use additional photography equipment on site (eg a tripod) should contact the information desk to obtain a photo pass.
All photographers wishing to take photographs for commercial use are asked to contact Maggie Wilson at the Picture Library on 0131 247 4026 or at m.wilson@nms.ac.uk.
We want all our visitors and staff to be safe in the National War Museum. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a member of our Visitor Experience team. You can also help us keep the museum safe by reporting anything that looks out of place or suspicious to our Visitor Experience Assistants.
We want everyone who comes to the National War Museum to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. We've compiled all our accessibility information in one place.
Find out moreA number of buses go via Edinburgh city centre and stop at the Royal Mile and George IV Bridge. Edinburgh Castle is a few minutes’ walk from the Royal Mile to Castlehill.
Plan your journey with the Traveline website or get directions from Google Maps.
The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley. Edinburgh Castle is a 15 minute walk up Market Street to the Castle Esplanade via either Ramsay Gardens or the Royal Mile. The road is quite steep, so visitors with mobility difficulties may wish to use the taxi rank at the station.
Plan your journey with the Traveline website or get directions from Google Maps.
The nearest tram stop is on Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle is a 10–15 minute walk up the Mound.
Plan your journey with the Traveline website or get directions from Google Maps.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, the National War Museum is easy to reach by bike.
There is no bicycle rack at the castle. Bike racks are available nearby at Victoria Street, Waverley Station and Chambers Street.
Get directions from Google Maps.
There is no parking at Edinburgh Castle. However, a limited number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders are available.
Get directions from Google Maps.
As a charity, we rely on your donations to protect the objects that tell the story of Scotland's military history. Please donate today to support our work. Thank you.
Donate nowDue to work being carried out, Galleries 1 and 2 are closed to the public between 14 and 31 March. The other galleries remain open.
