Self Guided Discovery Visits
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a unique collection of attractions of national and international importance.
A discovery visit is a self-guided visit of any one or a combination of all our attractions. By visiting the site, students can learn how Portsmouth, its maritime past, present and future and the Royal Navy have shaped the cultural, economic, scientific and social development of this country.
HMS Victory
Wander around HMS Victory and it’s easy to imagine what life was like on board during Nelson’s command. See the Great Cabin where the Battle of Trafalgar was planned, the spot where Nelson died and the once crowded decks where over 800 men lived, worked and fought.
Mary Rose
A unique collection of over 1000 Tudor artefacts from Henry VIII’s purpose built warship. Learn about its amazing recovery from the seabed, view the finds and then see the hull, now undergoing conservation after an incredible 437 years under the sea.
HMS Warrior 1860
Explore the decks of the world’s first iron-hulled armoured battleship and find out about life in Queen Victoria’s Navy. During her heyday she was the most formidable warship the world had ever seen. Today she looks just as she did at the time of her first commission (1861- 64).
The Royal Naval Museum
See, touch, hear and even smell the history of the Royal Navy with fascinating interactive exhibitions devoted to the 20th Century Navy, maritime exploration, life in the Sailing Navy, Nelson and HMS Victory plus the breathtaking, walk-through Trafalgar Experience!
Action Stations
Action Stations brings the modern Royal Navy to life through a huge array of hi-tech simulators and interactive games where you can command a warship or fly a helicopter. In the brand new InterAction Science and Technology gallery, fuel a nuclear submarine, get an astronaut’s eye view on the world in Dynamic Oceans, learn about propulsion and build a radio.
Harbour Tours
Take your group on a leisurely 45-minute boat cruise around the historic Portsmouth Harbour and see today’s modern warships including aircraft carriers when in port. Please note Harbour Tours may not operate every day during winter months.