• 10am - 5.30pm
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London
National Army Museum
  • 10am - 5.30pm
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London

Society gallery

The entrance to society gallery

The entrance to society gallery

Explore the Army's impact on our customs, technologies and values.

Access

Location:
First Floor Upper Level

Wheelchair access:
Via the main lift

Plan your visit

Society gallery examines how the Army has affected everyday life in Britain.

The Army is a cultural as well as a military force with a considerable impact on our customs, values, technologies and choices - from the toys and music we create to the way we vote.

Neon signs in soldier gallery
Visitors looking at the fashion wall in society gallery

What is our relationship with the Army? 

Investigate the impact on the English language with our Army words wall. Listen to some tunes on the Hit Parade jukebox to see how the Army has inspired popular culture.

Discover some of the ways we have benefitted from army innovation, through objects like Florence Nightingale’s lamp and a set of facial prosthetics.

Two children interact with the poppy wall
Explore the Army's impact on British traditions like remembrance.
Display showcasing military medical innovations
Discover pioneering medical innovations and their impact on civilian life.
The Humber 'Pig' truck
Explore attitudes to the Army's presence on the streets.
Display showing how the Army and conflict are portrayed and viewed by society
Explore changing views of the Army and its involvement in conflict.
Wheelbarrow Mk VIIa, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, 1983
Find out how the Army has inspired technological breakthroughs.

Explore further

Galleries
Visit

Galleries

Our dynamic galleries showcase thousands of objects from across our collections. Situated over four floors, they tell a huge range of stories from the Army's history.

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Plan a visit
Visit

Plan a visit

Discover a fun and interactive space for all the family, revealing true stories of ordinary people with extraordinary responsibilities.

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From the Collection: Society
Online Collection

From the Collection: Society

Explore the objects on display in the Society gallery.

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Scottish poppy
Story

Scottish poppy blooms again

This Scottish poppy, currently on display in Society gallery, dates from the early days of the Poppy Appeal.

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Burberry trench coat, 2014
Story

Army fashion statements

The Army's influence on fashion is not new. Military dress has made its way from conflict to catwalk over and over again.

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The Queen's Gurkha Regiment assist with the construction of NHS Nightingale, 2020
Story

In case of emergency

As soldiers are mobilised to help public services deal with the coronavirus pandemic, we explore how Britain has often had to rely upon the Army at times of emergency.

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Join the conversation

"First time @NAM_London today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thought the presentation & interpretation made the subject accessible..."

National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT
Registered Charity Number: 237902