Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a site on the harbour, inside a working Royal Navy base. Walk the decks of HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, and HMS Warrior, Britain's first iron-clad battleship. The Mary Rose, Henry VIII's warship, has its own museum, where the hull and thousands of recovered objects are on show. Allow at least one full day, and two to see the whole site.
The Mary Rose and her museum
The Mary Rose was the flagship of Henry VIII's fleet. She sank in the Solent in 1545 while fighting the French, just outside the harbour. Her wreck was not found until 1971, and the hull was raised from the water in 1982.
The Mary Rose Museum displays the hull alongside many of the roughly 19,000 objects recovered from the seabed. Together they give a clear picture of Tudor life at sea. The ship can be viewed from nine galleries. The museum reopened on 31 May 2013 with the hull reunited with most of its artefacts.
A 4D film in the museum simulates a dive down to the sunken ship. Confirm which ticket covers the Mary Rose Museum on the official website before you buy.
HMS Victory and HMS Warrior
HMS Victory was completed and launched in 1765. She served as Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and is still in commission. She remains the ceremonial flagship of the First Sea Lord. The gun decks are cramped, and the lighting is low, which suits a ship of her age. An audio guide is available to take round the ship.
On the ship you can visit the cabin where Nelson met his officers, and the spot where he was mortally wounded by a French sniper. An under-hull walkway lets you look at the ship from the dry dock below. Restoration work has been under way on the ship during some visits.
HMS Warrior was launched in 1860 as Britain's first iron-clad battleship. Areas from the jetty to the boiler room have been re-imagined to show the ship as it was in 1863. Costumed actors play crew members, including sailors and coal miners, and talk about daily life on board.
Submarines, M33 and the harbour
HMS Alliance is the only remaining British ocean-going submarine from the Second World War. Visitors reach it by boat. A working periscope lets you look out over the harbour. The M33 is the last British veteran of the Dardanelles Campaign of 1915 to 1916.
Harbour tours run across the harbour and pass modern Royal Navy ships. A waterbus links the Dockyard with the Gosport sites, the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. If the waterbus stops running, the Gosport Ferry is the alternative. It is larger and can operate in rougher conditions. The National Museum of the Royal Navy does not reimburse alternative travel, so plan that in advance.
Action Stations and visiting with children
Action Stations is housed in a large 19th-century boathouse. It has a climbing tower, a laser quest game, and simulators for helicopter and rigid raider boat rides. The play zone is best suited to older children and teenagers.
Children's activity trails run through the site, and the interactive displays keep younger visitors busy between the ships.
The entrance, restrooms, elevator and parking are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs and scooters are available, and some sections have stools for visitors who need to rest. Volunteers run a buggy service for visitors who cannot walk far. There is a changing table on site.
Cafés and gift shops are spread across the Dockyard. Gunwharf Quays is about a five-minute walk away, with shops and restaurants.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long do you need at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard?
Plan at least a full day, and two days to see the ships and museums without rushing. Limit each visit to about three attractions.
Is the annual ticket worth it?
The Ultimate Explorer ticket is valid for 12 months and gives access to the museums and ships, so repeat visits are included.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended. You may still queue to have them validated on arrival.
Is Portsmouth Historic Dockyard wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, restrooms, elevator and parking are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs and scooters are available, and volunteers run a buggy service for visitors who find walking hard.
Is the Dockyard good for children?
Yes. It is family-friendly, with Action Stations, a harbour tour, children's activity trails and interactive displays.
