Planning Your Visit
How to Book
To book a self-guided Discovery Visit or one of our extensive range of workshops please contact our Advance Sales Department on 023 9283 9766 (00 44 23 9283 9766 if outside the UK). Or click here to fill in our online enquiry form.
Bookings must be made and paid for in full at least 10 working days before the date you wish to visit.
Our Sales team can advise on facilities and availability and help you to plan an itinerary for your day.
Preliminary Visits
To help with advance planning and preparation we strongly recommend that teachers make a FREE preliminary visit to the Historic Dockyard to complete the required LEA Risk Assessment forms. For schools that have made a booking, we will allow a free preliminary visit for the education visit leader plus 2 colleagues (if making a preliminary visit during the week) or a free family ticket for the education visit leader (if making a preliminary visit at the weekend or in school holidays). Please bring with you a letter on school headed paper identifying you as the visit leader, stating your booking reference number.
Risk Assesments
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has produced guidelines for teachers bringing pupils on education visits. It is the responsibility of group leaders to complete a full risk assessment prior to visiting and these guidelines do not replace your own assessment being undertaken. Please download the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard guidelines AND the guidelines for the attraction/s you are due to visit.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Risk Assessment
HMS Victory Risk Assessment
HMS Warrior 1860 Risk Assessment
National Museum of the Royal Navy Risk Assessment
Action Stations Risk Assessment & Climbing Tower Risk Assessment
For security purposes we do not have the facility to store lunch boxes or bags so we advise that luggage is kept to a minimum and pupils have backpacks so their hands are free for climbing ladders aboard the ships.
We also advise all visitors to wear sensible shoes and dress warmly in cold weather.
Lunch Facilities
An indoor eating area is available for Education Groups with packed lunches. Space in this area is limited and pre-booking is required. There are also several outdoor and covered picnic areas around the site.
Special Education Needs and Access Provision
Please discuss any special requirements at the time of making a booking so we can help you get the best from your visit. All attractions are fully or partially wheelchair accessible and hands-on activities are designed to be as inclusive as possible. The Mary Rose Museum has resources for visually impaired pupils and those who use symbols. Touch tours and handling sessions are also available at National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. Wheelchairs, magnifying glasses and large print text can be arranged in advance.
Lucketts Travel Offer – Save money with our preferential rates and save time by booking your visit and transport in one simple transaction!
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is pleased to be working with Lucketts Travel (one of the leading coach hire companies in Hampshire) to offer local schools the use of Lucketts coaches between 9.30am and 2.30pm at a specially reduced rate when booked through Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in conjunction with a workshop. For a list of example workshops click here.
Different packages are available depending on the number of pupils you have and the number of workshops you would like to book. Most of our workshops that are 1 hour in length can be built into a package.
Prices will vary depending on the number of pupils and staff and the size of coach/es that would be required and the number of workshops you would like to include on your visit. Please call us on 023 9283 9766 to discuss your requirements and get a quote!
Travel by train
Portsmouth Harbour train station is just 200 metres from the entrance to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and many of the train companies offer heavily discounted rates for groups travelling out of peak hours. For your next visit why not look to see how much train fares would compare to the cost of a coach?
South West Trains: Up to 26% off for groups of 10 or more.
To book, telephone: 023 8072 8162 (0830-1730, Monday to Friday) or book online at: https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/group-travel-form.aspx
Southern Trains: Up to 26% off for groups of 10 or more.
To book, telephone 08451 27 29 20. All bookings need to be made at least 7 days in advance.
First Great Western:
To book, telephone 08457 000 125
