Arnhem: Before the Bridge

Drop into the Exhibition 25 September – 8 November 2026

“This is a tale you will tell your grandchildren… and mightily bored they’ll be.”

Lieutenant General Brian Horrocks, commanding British 30th Corps (A Bridge Too Far)

On 17 September 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division landed near the Dutch town of Arnhem. Their task was simple: capture the bridge over the Lower Rhine and hold it until relieved by advancing ground forces.

That relief never arrived.

Nine days later, when the division finally withdrew, only 2,000 of the 10,000 men who had landed at Arnhem escaped.

The largest airborne assault in history had failed. Yet Arnhem is more than a story of defeat. It is a story of individual leadership, sacrifice, and survival. This exhibition looks beyond the bridge to the men of Arnhem, especially those who once served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. It tells the story of their part in one of the British Army’s most infamous battles.

This is not just the story of Arnhem.

It is the story of the men who made Arnhem.

Admission prices apply – entry to Arnhem: Before the Bridge is included with all museum admission tickets, including the Blenheim Pass offer.

Galleries open Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm, and Sundays from 2pm – 5pm.

See Visit Us for full details and to plan your visit.