Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

About Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Man the guns and hide the rum!

Pique your curiosity with a nautical themed day out, bursting with fun and discovery. From boarding statuesque warships to viewing the array of authentic artifacts, this is sure to be a day to remember. Visitors can learn about the lives of the brave men and women who spent their last days at sea and marvel at the painstakingly reconstructed naval warcrafts.

Young guests are incredibly well catered for, with fascinating, Covid-safe interactive exhibits designed to grab their attention. You can also look forward to delicious food and drink options as well as plenty of exciting opportunities for all ages.

Choosing a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a decision you won’t regret.

HMS Victory
Lord Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory is probably the Royal Navy’s most well-known warship. The exciting, new HMS Victory Under Hull Walkway allows guests to view the impressive 3,600 tonne fighter from deep below the ship.

Mary Rose
Sailing for over 30 years, the Mary Rose was Henry VIII’s flagship. Tragically sinking in 1545, this incredible ship was raised in 1982 when reconstruction begun. Visitors will have the chance to view the ship’s remains and to examine the thousands of fascinating, authentic artifacts that were recovered along with the warship. Learn more about the Mary Rose.

HMS Warrior
Launched in 1860, HMS Warrior was not only the largest Royal Navy ship, but also the quickest. This magnificent warship was Queen Victoria’s favourite and guests will love the historical set dressings, with the chance to examine these intriguing pieces.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy
With amazing treasures from the past 350 years, visitors are invited to learn unheard stories about the heroic women and men who lived on the ships. Furthermore, the Sailing Gallery illustrates the shocking realities of fighting at sea.

Harbour Tours
Visitors can choose to embark on one of the enticing Harbour tours, offering fantastic views of some of Britain’s frigates, modern destroyers, and aircraft carriers.

Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Included in your entry, visitors can travel offsite and discover the impressive HMS Alliance, Britain’s only remaining submarine from its era, and an incredible memorial to over 5,000 brave submariners who died during its days of service. Climb aboard and experience what life was like inside for the sailors.

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
Why not enjoy a short trip by waterbus to this award-winning museum. Here 6,500 barrels of gunpowder were safely stored ready for use as ammunition. Visitors will even have the opportunity to view awe inspiring torpedoes and modern missiles.

Boathouse 4
Located in this Boathouse 4 houses the Forgotten Craft exhibition where brave crews from small naval crafts are memorialised. Guests can also see students learning to build traditional boats as part of the International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC) Portsmouth.

Dockyard Apprentice Exhibition
Once visitors have fully explored the incredible warships, it’s time to dive deeper into the world of Dockyard life. Gain an in-depth glimpse into the day to day running of the Dockyard during the early 20th Century, where the fearsome Dreadnought battleships were constructed.

Food and Drink
Experiencing a nautical themed day like no other will certainly require heaps of energy. Thankfully, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has a variety of cafes ready to serve tempting hot and cold food. From cool drinks to hot meals and mouth-watering home-made bites, every palate is well catered for. There are even three picnic areas to enjoy whilst breathing in the fresh ocean air.

Shopping
Souvenirs are a must for any memorable day out and at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, there are four shopping outlets to choose from. Pick from authentic oak and copper salvages, stunning paintings from the 17th and 20th Century, or more traditional mementos.

With something to appeal to every guest from little pirates to heroic explorers, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard promises an unforgettable experience and a fantastic day out.

Local offer

Do you have a PO or SO postcode? With Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s local discount offer you can save 30% on an Ultimate Explorer annual passes! Discover over 500 years of history with access to all 9 ships and museums. Offer runs 1 November 2023 – 11 February 2024.