Enter Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and be transported on a journey through time. Trace the footsteps of those who have played their part in over 800 years of maritime history and who made Britain the leading naval power in the world. Discover more about Admiral Lord Nelson, Henry VIII, World War veterans and Portsmouth dockyard workers. Learn about life on board three of the world's most famous warships ever built, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose, see, touch and smell the navy at one of the UK's leading maritime museums the Royal Naval Museum and complete the story by testing your own skill, bravery and brain power on the action-packed high seas adventure that is Action Stations.

HMS Victory
Wander around Victory and it’s easy to imagine what life was like on board during Nelson’s command. The ship is a living museum like no other and looks much the same as when she led the crushing defeat of the combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson’s flagship is the world’s oldest commissioned warship and is still manned today by Officers and Ratings of the Royal Navy.
 
The hugely popular Trafalgar Sail exhibition, in the nearby Storehouse No.10, features the only surviving sail from the Battle of Trafalgar - battle scarred, pockmarked and full of holes from cannon fire, it pays testimony to the battle’s ferocity.
 
The Mary Rose
The only surviving 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world. She was one of the earliest ships to carry heavy guns. The Mary Rose sank off Portsmouth in 1545 during an engagement with a French invasion fleet – in full view of King Henry VIII.
 
The raising of the Mary Rose in 1982 is a marvel of modern maritime archaeology. See the conservation process that will preserve her for all time. Thousands of personal, domestic and military objects were recovered, many of which are on display in the museum – a unique and fascinating insight into Tudor times.
 
HMS Warrior 1860
Bigger, faster and more heavily armed than any other warship afloat, Warrior was the world’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship powered by steam as well as sail and constructed of wrought iron. As you explore Warrior’s four vast decks you enter another world – that of the Victorian sailor and life in a 19th century warship.
 
Action Stations
Time for ACTION and fun for all the family! Test your bravery, strength, skill and brain power against our interactive displays, simulators and the tallest indoor climbing tower in the UK.* An action packed high seas adventure!
 *fitted with an automatic safety belay system.
 
Royal Naval Museum
See, touch and smell the history of the Royal Navy through a rich collection of artefacts and award-winning permanent exhibitions. Experience the Battle of Trafalgar and discover the brilliance of Admiral Lord Nelson, Britain’s greatest Naval hero.
 
Harbour Tours
Portsmouth is still the home of the modern Royal Navy. Britain’s three aircraft carriers, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious and HMS Invincible are based here, as well as a fleet of destroyers, frigates, mine warfare ships and offshore patrol vessels.
 
Take a 45 minute tour around Portsmouth Harbour aboard one of our modern and comfortable boats. Enjoy fabulous views across the harbour whilst listening to the lively commentary. Please note that the Harbour Tours may not operate every day during the winter months.
 
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
The Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ
T: 023 9283 9766
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it