About Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the only place in the world where visitors can
experience first-hand what it was really like to serve and fight on board the ships that
shaped Britain’s history, alongside the modern warships of the Royal Navy.
Ask anyone to name the most famous warships in the world and the HMS Alliance,
Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860 are sure to feature. Their appeal
endures because of the graphic and moving stories associated with them; the only
remaining British WWII era submarine; being the favourite of Henry VIII; the victor at
the Battle of Trafalgar; and never firing a shot in anger during 10 long years of sea
domination.
But it’s more than that. It’s the social history about life on-board and the wider
society; the bravery and heroism of generations of serving personnel and their
families and their compelling stories; the technology that meant Britain led the world
and the anecdotes, which have fashioned our language for centuries.
The world’s oldest commissioned warship, HMS Victory, still has a full-time Royal
Navy crew today. But as you walk between her historic decks, and see the
hammocks slung between the cannons, and tables set for a meal of maggot-ridden
bread, visitors will sense the men who sailed and died with Nelson. And that they’ll
be back at any moment…
At Action Stations, taking off in a helicopter and flying the Royal Marines into battle
is something visitors will never forget. In fact, they might find it hard to remember it’s
just a full-size simulation – one of dozens of hands-on activities (including the UK’s
tallest indoor climbing tower, fitted with an automatic safety delay system) providing a
taste of life in today’s Royal Navy.
Every man who went to the bottom of the Solent in the Mary Rose was a husband,
father or son. The museum’s extraordinary collection of their personal, domestic and
military equipment gives this famous maritime disaster a uniquely human dimension
and poignancy. As a Victorian, visitors would have seen HMS Warrior 1860 in the
same way future generations would regard the Saturn V rocket, Concorde and the
internet. The world’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship powered by steam as well as
sail, the ‘Black Snake’ changed the maritime world forever. Yet 10 years later, she
was obsolete. Proof that history really does repeat itself.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy is one of the world’s leading maritime
museums. Dates, images and artefacts tell us about events. The real drama is in the
experiences of the men and women who were there. The funeral barge that brought
Nelson’s body up the Thames after Trafalgar reminds visitors that he was human. So
were the men who served under him in the harsh days of sail – and the slaves in the
trade the Royal Navy helped to abolish. Explorers can hear their stories and enter
their world where the past is closer than they think.
A 45-minute Harbour Tour brings visitors up close and personal with modern Royal
Navy warships and shows why Portsmouth remains one of the world’s most
important harbours. And with the sea air in their nostrils and the deck rolling gently
beneath their feet, passengers will feel closer to the stories and people that make the
Historic Dockyard unique. (Important note: The warships in the Royal Navy dockyard
can change on an hourly basis and tours are subject to weather conditions and
availability).
Visiting Portsmouth
Accommodation
Portsmouth has a wealth of accommodation - from top quality luxury hotels to
boutique chic plus a superb choice of guesthouse and bed and breakfast
accommodation. The area has a growing range of boutique accommodation in
Portsmouth - two of which have recently won the Four In a bed Channel 4 show.
Examples include:
G Boutique
71 Festing Road,Southsea, Portsmouth Hampshire PO4 0NQ
http://www.g-boutiquehotel.co.uk
Sea La Vie
6 Malvern Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 2NA
http://www.sea-la-vie-portsmouth.co.uk/
Number Four
Florence, Somerset, Stattons
http://www.number4hotel.co.uk/
Visiting Activity Highlights:
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
With more than 800 years of naval history, Portsmouth’s world renowned Historic
Dockyard is a must-see. Featuring the HMS Alliance (opening 3 April), HMS Victory,
The Mary Rose Museum and HMS Warrior 1860, along with the National Museum of
the Royal Navy, Action Stations and Harbour Tours, this attraction offers a full day’s
visit.
Portsmouth, the great waterfront city, has miles of sea views and centuries of
history. Located on the South Coast of England, Portsmouth is an island city, totally
surrounded by water.
Southsea Castle - built by Henry VIII, Blue Reef Aquarium and the Royal Marines
Museum.
Spinnaker Tower
Soaring 170m above Portsmouth and the Solent, the Spinnaker Tower is taller than
the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben. The three viewing decks with floorto-ceiling glass windows provide breathtaking 350˚ panoramic views stretching up to
23 miles, giving visitors a unique perspective of the city and surrounding area. Daring
visitors can almost walk on air by crossing the glass floor on view deck one.
Gunwharf Quays
Visit Gunwharf Quays and shop at over 90 designer outlets, eat at one of 30
cosmopolitan bars, restaurants and coffee shops, work it off at the health & fitness
centre, catch a film at the 14 screen Vue cinema, bowl at the 26 lane Bowlplex then
dance the night away at Tiger Tiger, all on the water’s edge!
Waterfront - Old Portsmouth to Southsea Seafront
A walk along Portsmouth’s impressive waterfront is a real journey into the city’s past.
Arrange a guided walk to gain an expert’s view or self-guide your group along the
Millennium Promenade, taking in the Camber Dock, Round Tower and Square
Tower.
Continue along the seafront to find green spaces, impressive gardens and a range of
activities. Attractions include the D-Day Museum - the only museum in the UK
dedicated solely to covering all aspects of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France
and home to the impressive Overlord Embroidery. Other attractions along the
seafront include
Literary connections
For literary fans, Portsmouth is a surprising destination. The great author Charles
Dickens was born in Portsmouth and his birthplace is preserved as a fascinating
museum. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created his famous character Sherlock Holmes
whilst residing in Portsmouth and the city is now home to a large collection of Conan
Doyle memorabilia, on display as ‘A Study in Sherlock’ exhibition at the City Museum
Cultural Scene
Portsmouth also has a lively and diverse cultural scene. All year round there are city
wide events and live entertainment - find live music, theatre and comedy in
Portsmouth Guildhall, Kings Theatre and New Theatre Royal along with smaller
independent venues like the Cellars at Eastney and the Wedgewood Rooms. A wide
range of independent eateries such as Pie and Vinyl, the Garage Lounge and
Abarbistro sit alongside major chains at Gunwharf Quays such as Brasserie Blanc
and Jamie’s Italian. Add to this a great mix of outlet, independent and vintage
shopping, food and boutique markets, all within easy reach of each other and the
ever-impressive waterfront.
Shopping
Portsmouth offers a unique shopping experience; from the award winning Gunwharf
Quays and major high-street names in the city centre to the array of independent,
vintage and quirky shops in Southsea.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard public information:
Opening times

April to October: 10am – 5:30 pm (last tickets 4.30pm)

November to March: 10am – 5pm (last tickets 4pm)

Closed 24th – 26th December
Tickets to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard:

Tickets for entrance to the Historic Dockyard are on sale online
(www.historicdockyard.co.uk) and in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Visitor
Centre

An all attraction ticket includes the HMS Alliance (opening 3 April), the
recently opened Mary Rose Museum, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860,
National Museum of the Royal Navy
(including the two newly opened
exhbitions), Action Stations and a Harbour Tour and adult tickets are £28;
child £21.00; concessions £26.00 and family (2 adults/seniors and up to 3
children) £78.40.
Groups – Groups of 15 people should call 023 9283 9766 to make a booking.
Museum Hire for corporate events - please contact Becky Ashton on 023 9275
0521 for more details. To book tickets: http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/tickets
Nearest public transport links:
http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/visitors/howtogethere.php