HMS Victory

HMS Victory is the Royal Navy's most famous warship.
She is the world's oldest commissioned ship and a proud memorial to Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain's greatest Naval hero.

Standing proud in her home of No. 2 dry dock, HMS Victory is one of the most famous warships ever built. Built between 1759-1765, Victory was a first-rate, ship-of-the-line.

In 1805, Vice Admiral Lord Nelson on board his flagship, HMS Victory, led 27 British ships into battle off Cape Trafalgar against a much larger combined French and Spanish fleet.

Thanks to Nelson's inspired leadership, the British won a great victory and the Battle of Trafalgar has become a defining moment in our history. But Nelson paid the ultimate price - struck by a single bullet as he paced the quarterdeck with his captain, Thomas Hardy, he survived just long enough to learn the outcome of the battle.

Visit HMS Victory and see the Great Cabin where the battle was planned, the spot where Nelson died and the once crowded decks where over 800 men lived, worked and fought.

Also included on your ticket when you visit HMS Victory from March 18 2005 (subject to availability) is the Trafalgar Sail Exhibition which shows the last remaining sail from HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Having survived two centuries, the sail has undergone extensive conservation work and is accompanied by an audio and lighting presentation along with an exhibition depicting the history of the sail from its manufacture.

How to visit HMS Victory

HMS Victory is either on a guided tour system or on a free-flow system. A guided tour system is in operation throughout quieter periods of the year and when tickets are purchased in the Visitor Centre, a time will be allocated for you to be guided round the ship in groups. Spaces are sold on a first come first served basis, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

During busier periods, a free-flow system enables you to view the ship in your own time and at your own pace to avoid any disappointment during peak times. Guides will be available on board to answer any queries during this time. To see free-flow dates this year, please click here. Please note, you cannot book guided tour times in advance of you arrival at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard unless you are a pre-paying group of 15 or more.

VISITOR INFORMATION FOR HMS VICTORY

From early May HMS Victory will be undergoing major work to replace planking on board. Therefore, there will be scaffolding on the outside of the ship, which will affect the view of the ship externally.

Visiting the ship will not be affected by this and there will be minimal disruption on board.

This work is essential in order to preserve the long term future of the ship and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause for visitors.

Postcards of HMS Victory are available from the Royal Naval Museum Shop and Nauticalia, both located within the Historic Dockyard.

HMS Victory events

'Tour Below HMS Victory’s Water Line'
Heritage Open Days * A national event organised by English Heritage, which allows free access to buildings and the unseen collections of the Historic Dockyard. * FREE – Numbers are limited & all tours must be booked in advance. Please contact 023 9272 8060 to reserve a place. * Please note that...
Sep 08 - Sep 12	FULL STORY