With its centuries-old naval port, Portsmouth has a special place in our maritime heritage. It boasts the world’s oldest dry dock, and hosts the Royal Marines’ HQ. The first convict ships left for Australia from here, in the days when press gangs rounded up able-bodied men.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Tour
Discover Portsmouth’s Past
Familiarise yourself with Pompey’s naval past and its status today at the museums along the vibrant waterfront. A Portsmouth Historic Dockyard tour is a little something that you won’t regret, because of the captivating attractions and historical artifacts that you’ll encounter along the way. Climb aboard, and see how ships built here led the way in innovation and technology, and changed our world.
Follow the Royal Navy
The Royal Navy was formed in the 16th century and a look back at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and discover the stories of ordinary men and women in the new Hear My Story gallery. Children will love the interactive Action Stations in the Victorian-era Boathouse 6, while Boathouse 4, needed in 1939 for fast re-armament, and open again from July 2015, offers boat-building courses, and boasts a brasserie with stunning harbour views. The Historic Boat Workshop, Boathouse 5, showcases smaller old boats.
All Aboard
Explore the world’s only displayed 16th century warship, the Mary Rose, now restored to its original glory. Then head for the Battle of Trafalgar’s HMS Victory, now both the Flagship of the First Sea Lord, and a living museum for the Georgian Navy.
See HMS Warrior, once the biggest and quickest warship anywhere, and move on to HMS M.33, ready for August 2015, the last remaining British ship from the Dardanelles campaign (1915-16) and the Russian Civil War that followed, and one of only 3 British WWI battleships.
Further Afield
Away from the main site, the Royal Navy Submarine Museum allows you to explore HMS Alliance, the last sub from WWII, and to peek through its periscopes, while the Royal Marines Museum brings you 400 years of the history of this elite force, founded by Charles II. Or take a boat to experience the interactive museum Explosion! in the former Ordnance Depot at Priddy Hard, built a safe distance from the dockyard to store around 6,500 barrels of gunpowder.
With so much to see, and something always happening, why not take your time over a few visits? Tickets last a year, so make Portsmouth and its dockyards the location for your next weekend break.