ABOUT THE BATTLEBOX
What is the Battlebox?
The Battlebox is an authentic historic site – a former WWII British underground command centre built in the 1930s inside Fort Canning Hill, in the heart of Singapore City. It was part of the headquarters of Malaya Command, the army which defended Malaya and Singapore in WWII. It was inside the Battlebox that the British decided to surrender Singapore to the invading Japanese on 15 February 1942.
Today, the Battlebox is a museum that unveils the true causes behind “the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history”.
Today, the Battlebox is a museum that unveils the true causes behind “the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history”.
Who manages the Battlebox?
The Battlebox is managed by Singapore History Consultants Pte Ltd, a private heritage consultancy with over 20 years’ experience in heritage education and history research consultancy services..
The Battlebox is the #1 Museum in Singapore and #6 Museum in Asia, as ranked by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. The museum is a proud winner of TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for 5 consecutive years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and most recently the Best of the Best Award in 2021, as the Top 1% of experiences worldwide.
The Battlebox is the #1 Museum in Singapore and #6 Museum in Asia, as ranked by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. The museum is a proud winner of TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for 5 consecutive years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and most recently the Best of the Best Award in 2021, as the Top 1% of experiences worldwide.
Why are the ticket prices set at the level they are now?
100% of your ticket price goes towards paying for the maintenance and survival of the Battlebox as a historical monument. We are a private sector company, thus, unlike other publicly-funded museums in Singapore, we have to rely on entrance fees to pay for the costs of running the Battlebox.
The current entrance fees are not only a reflection of the quality of the programmes being created, but also the true costs of operating an important and costly historical institution like the Battlebox.
Our firm, Singapore History Consultants Pte Ltd, took over the hefty responsibility of bringing back to life the Battlebox between 2013 and 2016. In the process, we invested heavily in infrastructure and development. We are willing to take a significant risk in running the Battlebox because we are passionate about ensuring that the important story of the Fall of Singapore is told, and that this major historic site remains accessible to both Singaporeans and overseas visitors.
Despite our entrance fees, it still remains a challenge to cover the costs of operations, but we are an experienced team and we are confident that sustainability will be achieved.
For all who have paid for our guided tours through the Battlebox – we thank you for your support for the preservation of the Battlebox. We will greatly appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Tripadvisor to spread the word!
The current entrance fees are not only a reflection of the quality of the programmes being created, but also the true costs of operating an important and costly historical institution like the Battlebox.
Our firm, Singapore History Consultants Pte Ltd, took over the hefty responsibility of bringing back to life the Battlebox between 2013 and 2016. In the process, we invested heavily in infrastructure and development. We are willing to take a significant risk in running the Battlebox because we are passionate about ensuring that the important story of the Fall of Singapore is told, and that this major historic site remains accessible to both Singaporeans and overseas visitors.
Despite our entrance fees, it still remains a challenge to cover the costs of operations, but we are an experienced team and we are confident that sustainability will be achieved.
For all who have paid for our guided tours through the Battlebox – we thank you for your support for the preservation of the Battlebox. We will greatly appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Tripadvisor to spread the word!
TICKETING
How can I get tickets to the Battlebox?
Interested participants can get their tickets on our website or at the Battlebox Visitor Centre, located at 2 Cox Terrace, Fort Canning Park. Visitors are free to explore the bunker on their own.
Complimentary guided tours are available at the following schedule:
0945, 1045, 1145, 1400, 1500, 1600 hrs
We reserve the right to cap admission numbers to maintain safety and quality of the Battlebox experience. Should your desired time slot be full at the point of your ticket purchase, our staff will recommend the next available admission slot.
Complimentary guided tours are available at the following schedule:
0945, 1045, 1145, 1400, 1500, 1600 hrs
We reserve the right to cap admission numbers to maintain safety and quality of the Battlebox experience. Should your desired time slot be full at the point of your ticket purchase, our staff will recommend the next available admission slot.
Can I purchase same-day admission tickets online?
Purchase your online tickets 1 day before your visit.
Same-day admission tickets may be purchased on-site over our counter, subject to availability.
Kindly call 6338 6133 (Fri - Sun & PH: 1000 - 1700 hrs) to check for timeslot availability.
Alternatively, you can also write in to enquiry@battlebox.com.sg to check for timeslot availability . However, do allow us 2-3 days to reply as we receive many enquiries daily.
Same-day admission tickets may be purchased on-site over our counter, subject to availability.
Kindly call 6338 6133 (Fri - Sun & PH: 1000 - 1700 hrs) to check for timeslot availability.
Alternatively, you can also write in to enquiry@battlebox.com.sg to check for timeslot availability . However, do allow us 2-3 days to reply as we receive many enquiries daily.
ENTERING THE BATTLEBOX
Can I enter the Battlebox without a guided tour?
Yes, your ticket allows you to explore the Battlebox at your own pace.
Tours are available on a first come first serve basis.
Visitors can sign up at the Visitor Centre for the complimentary guided tours at the following schedule:
0945, 1045, 1145, 1400, 1500, 1600 hrs
Tours are available on a first come first serve basis.
Visitors can sign up at the Visitor Centre for the complimentary guided tours at the following schedule:
0945, 1045, 1145, 1400, 1500, 1600 hrs
Is Battlebox suitable for children?
The Battlebox may not be suitable for children aged below 7.
While the Battlebox has no disturbing images, its historical content is catered to a slightly older audience. The duration of the visit can also exceed an hour, which might be a challenge for some energetic and lively young kids! If you are a parent who has or wants to turn up with your baby or young child, we understand and definitely welcome you, but please be considerate to the other visitors and ensure that your child is not disruptive.
If you need to bring a stroller for your baby / young child, that is fine too. There is only one flight of steps entering and leaving the Battlebox, while the rest of the bunker is level.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
While the Battlebox has no disturbing images, its historical content is catered to a slightly older audience. The duration of the visit can also exceed an hour, which might be a challenge for some energetic and lively young kids! If you are a parent who has or wants to turn up with your baby or young child, we understand and definitely welcome you, but please be considerate to the other visitors and ensure that your child is not disruptive.
If you need to bring a stroller for your baby / young child, that is fine too. There is only one flight of steps entering and leaving the Battlebox, while the rest of the bunker is level.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Where is the meeting point for the guided tours?
For The Battlebox Tour - A Story of Strategy & Surrender™ (30 minutes), please meet at the Room 1, The Fort Canning Story.
Please sign up at the visitor centre, tours are available on a first come first serve basis.
For Of Graves, Guns & Battles - A Tour of Battlebox & Fort Canning Hill™ (2 hours 30 minutes), the meeting point is at the Battlebox Visitor Centre. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour timing to register at Battlebox Visitor Centre. We reserve the right to cap tour numbers to maintain safety and quality of the tour experience.
The tour will end in the Battlebox itself.
For directions on getting to the Battlebox Visitor Centre, check out the 'Visit Us' page on our website!
Please sign up at the visitor centre, tours are available on a first come first serve basis.
For Of Graves, Guns & Battles - A Tour of Battlebox & Fort Canning Hill™ (2 hours 30 minutes), the meeting point is at the Battlebox Visitor Centre. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour timing to register at Battlebox Visitor Centre. We reserve the right to cap tour numbers to maintain safety and quality of the tour experience.
The tour will end in the Battlebox itself.
For directions on getting to the Battlebox Visitor Centre, check out the 'Visit Us' page on our website!
Why am I not allowed to take photos/videos inside the Battlebox?
Photography, videography and note-taking are not allowed in the Battlebox for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, it is to ensure that our guided tours proceed as smoothly as possible, with minimal disruption and delays to both docents and participants. Secondly, within the Battlebox, we have a legal obligation to protect the copyrights of photos and other material that have been granted to us by other institutions.
We seek your kind understanding in this matter.
Want to capture special memories of the Battlebox? Postcards featuring the key rooms of the Battlebox are on sale at the Battlebox Visitor Centre.
Firstly, it is to ensure that our guided tours proceed as smoothly as possible, with minimal disruption and delays to both docents and participants. Secondly, within the Battlebox, we have a legal obligation to protect the copyrights of photos and other material that have been granted to us by other institutions.
We seek your kind understanding in this matter.
Want to capture special memories of the Battlebox? Postcards featuring the key rooms of the Battlebox are on sale at the Battlebox Visitor Centre.
Are there any dining options near the Battlebox?
If you are feeling peckish, the Battlebox Visitor Centre offers a wide selection of drinks, ice cream and popsicles for purchase. Kindly note that consumption of food and drinks are strictly not permitted in the bunker and the Visitor Centre.
Is the Spiral Staircase inside the Battlebox?
Our staff gets asked this question a lot on the whereabouts of the spiral staircase as most people usually tag the location of the (in)famous spiral staircase in Fort Canning Park as the Battlebox! The spiral staircase is a popular fixture for photo enthusiasts aiming for that dramatic, Instagrammable shot.
Where is it you ask? Well, it's not within the Battlebox, but you will encounter it on your way to the Battlebox if you were to follow our directions from the nearest train station, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.
Where is it you ask? Well, it's not within the Battlebox, but you will encounter it on your way to the Battlebox if you were to follow our directions from the nearest train station, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.
What is the tour schedule for the complimentary guided tours?
The Battlebox Tour - A Story of Strategy & Surrender™ , runs at the following schedule:
0945, 1045, 1145, 1400, 1500, 1600 hrs
Tour sign ups are on a first come first serve basis at the Visitor Centre.
Please meet our docents at Room 1, the Fort Canning Room to begin the tour.
0945, 1045, 1145, 1400, 1500, 1600 hrs
Tour sign ups are on a first come first serve basis at the Visitor Centre.
Please meet our docents at Room 1, the Fort Canning Room to begin the tour.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE BATTLEBOX
How do I donate to the Battlebox some artefacts / old documents / old photos I have in my possession?
Please email us at enquiry@battlebox.com.sg, using “Donation for the Battlebox” as an email subject title.
Thank you very much for your contribution! As a private sector company, donations mean a lot to us.
Thank you very much for your contribution! As a private sector company, donations mean a lot to us.
CAREERS
How do I apply for a job as a docent and visitor services officer?
Please email us at careers@journeys.com.sg with your resume and we’ll get back to you!
OTHER QUESTIONS
Have further questions?
Should you have further questions that are not covered in our FAQ, simply drop us an email at enquiry@battlebox.com.sg and we'll be happy to assist you.