The object of the VMGCRA is to educate the wider public on the use of the Vickers MG.  As part of this, the collection and archive are available for viewing by appointment. We also hold or attend various events throughout the year.

Dates available

If you like what you see on the virtual tour, come and see us at one of the events or open days.

2026

2 to 5 October 2026 – The Vickers MG Exhibition, Bisley 2026.

We are very pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting the story of the Vickers machine gun in the aptly-named ‘Vickers Room’ in the The Pavilion Bisley at the home of UK shooting, Bisley Camp, Surrey, GU24 0PB.

This will be a full museum-quality display of key items from our collection and the first time they have had an outing, in full, from our limited collection storage.

As well as understanding the gun itself, we will be able to show how it was used, the stories of the people who used it, how they were trained, how it changed over time and what other roles it had.

This will be a FREE entry event but there will be opportunities for guided tours and talks over the course of the weekend for individuals and groups and these may be charged for. We will of course appreciate any donations before, during and after the event as this will enhance what we can offer (including corporate opportunities).

With the extra facilities that we have access to at Bisley, for once we will be able to take all of those people that ask to come and visit the limited space and access we have currently.

We may also be able to offer previews and special tours for our Patrons as well so head to www.patreon.com/vickersmg to get more details on those as they develop.

2025

We changed things for 2025. There are few reasons for this but, at the core, we have had to change how we use our collection space. With an increasing portfolio of rare and one-off items in the display collection and the archive, we will no longer be conducting blank firing demonstrations in the collection . Following the demand for more ‘live’ (ball) firing events, we have worked with suitable firing ranges to develop an offer.

To manage the demand for this, we are prioritising our Patrons but anyone can sign up and support us from just £3 a month and then get access to ticketing for this, and our full archive and online repository.

We are also attending more public events so need to be able to balance the availability of our Trustees and Volunteers.

3 November 2025 – A Gun Through Time (David Olusoga), Bistol Beacon

18-19 October 2025 – Trafalgar Arms Fair, Bisley

12-14 September 2025 – We Have Ways Festival

19-20 July 2025 – Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson

12 July 2025 – Firing Demo Day and Visit

28-29 June 2025 – TankFest, Tank Museum, Bovington

23-25 May 2025 – Phoenix Arms Fair

2024

Sunday, 25 February at 1.30pm – Lee-Enfield Rifle Association.

Saturday, 20 April at 1.30pm – CANCELLED

Sunday, 5 May at 1.30pm – Old Windsor Rifle and Pistol Club.

Wednesday 17 July at 1.30pm – Heathrow Pals.

Sunday, 13 October at 1.30pm – Friends of the Tank Museum, Ordnance Society and others.

Sunday, 15 December at 1.30pm – We Have Ways Independent Company (Bristol ‘Platoon’)

2023

Sunday 22nd January at 1.30pm – Been and gone! You missed out. Look out for a later date.

Saturday 4th March at 1.30pm – Been and gone! You missed out. Look out for a later date.

Saturday 29th April at 1.30pm – Been and gone! You missed out. Look out for a later date.

Saturday 27th May at 2.30pm – Private visit.

Sunday 28th May at 1.30pm – Done and dusted! Get on the next one available.

Sunday 2nd July at 1.30pm – Done!

Saturday 15th July at 2.30pm – Great War Group event.

Saturday 22nd July at 1.30pm – London Historic RC visit.

Monday 21st August at 1.30pm – Yate and Sodbury U3A .

Wednesday 20th September at 1.30pm – Western Front Association Essex Branch.

Saturday 30th September at 1.30pm – Long-Range Rimfire Club.

Wednesday 4th October at 1.30pm – Hurn Pistol and Rifle Club.

Saturday 14th October at 1.30pm – Friends of the Tank Museum / Ordnance Society.

Sunday 29th October at 1.30pm – Volksturm Living History.

Sunday 10th December at 1.30pm – South West Shooting Clubs

If you have a group and wish to have a separate visit to those listed above, please get in touch. To arrange a visit, then please use the form below or contact me.

What is there to see?

If you’d like to see what we have, then visit our virtual tour.

As can be seen from the photos below, the collection is extensive and does cover the use of the Vickers MG in considerable depth, rather than the breadth of a ‘normal’ weapons collection of museum. We now (July 2023) have 32 Vickers MGs in the collection which is the highest number in a single accessible display globally.

It is possible to handle and photograph items from the collection, within some constraints for security and safety, and the collection can accommodate individuals through to groups of up to 20 people.

A routine visit is likely to last about three to four hours. It can also incorporate a presentation on the growth of the collection and the development and use of the machine gun and machine gunnery as a tactic. This can be adapted depending on any specific period or use of interest.

It can also include a firing demonstration using blank ammunition, subject to availability and circumstances.

The collection is located near Swindon, Wiltshire, UK.  The address and directions will be provided as required.

We try to allocate one (usually the last) weekend per month where we can accommodate visits. We have also introduced open days where individuals can come along rather than requiring a minimum group size. The availability is below.

Donations (suggested around £20) are accepted when visiting the collection, to help cover the costs of keeping it displayed in this way. This helps value the time our volunteers put into providing this three- to four-hour tour as well as the ammunition for any demonstrations.