Tuesday 24th July – Sunday 2nd September 2012
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is encouraging visitors to engage with their history this summer and come face to face with the fascinating artefacts, ships, stories and people that helped shape our nation’s history.
Home to the world-famous ships HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860 and leading UK maritime museum, National Museum of the Royal Navy; Portsmouth Historic Dockyard also offers hands-on fun with tests of skill and bravery at Action Stations which represents today’s Royal Navy and the opportunity to see the modern fleet up close on a boat trip of Portsmouth Harbour.
The Mary Rose Story continues to intrigue as it enters a new chapter with the building of a stunning new museum, due to open later this year. Before then visitors can get up close and personal with the existing collection and handle a collection of original and replica artefacts. A specially commissioned film relays the story so far and there is also previously unseen footage of the ship’s hull as well as the chance to meet the crew as costumed interpreters bring to life the roles of the barber-surgeon, navigator and carpenter.
Across the attractions, young explorers can also learn history in fun ways with costumed interpreters, games, dressing-up, crafts, trails and talks. There’s also lots of space for children to explore in their own way, including indoor attractions to cater for that ever-changing British weather!
Those with a more serious interest in naval matters have ample opportunities to discover more and our expert guides are on hand to help.
Following the exciting arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay through the site on the 15th July, The National Museum of the Royal Navy is hosting ‘It’s a Naval Knockout!’ in Victory Arena with fun for all the family throughout the day and a chance to channel competitive spirit and enter a team in the afternoon to win the Portsmouth 2012 trophy, whether participants excel at five-a-side or pub quizzes, there’ll be an event to suit everyone! And of course, there’ll be free candy floss…
The museum will also be discovering more about past and future Olympic hosts and their seafaring heritage on their ‘Sea Voyage Adventures’. Each week will provide a chance to discover different cultures and make things inspired by the country, plus get a Games Passport stamped to enter their special prize draw!
At Action Stations there are games a-plenty and 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.
Discover more on-board HMS Victory every Tuesday in August, when there will be a chance to join the HMS Victory Guides for fascinating stories and handle objects from the collection. Other activities during the summer include being a ship detective, medal making, naval navigation, animal magic and marvellous music!
The Mary Rose Story will be dressing in style for the holidays with a range of costumes to try on daily, a perfect photo opportunity!
Celebrating 25 years of being in Portsmouth, HMS Warrior 1860 will be having fun at the Victorian Seaside (every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and will also see thirty officers and crew on-board for a weekend of Victorian naval traditions (Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th July, 10am-4.30pm) including sea songs, knot tying, gun drills, Dickensian street entertainers, plus children’s activities and workshops.
Plus, much-needed refreshment is available in Costa Coffee, Boathouse 7 or the Georgian Tearooms and shops include national retailer Nauticalia, museum shops and Antiques Storehouse. Picnic areas are also available.
With all the added events, flexible family tickets for 5 (max 2 adults/seniors) with the validity of a year, plus a Harbour Tour; the Dockyard Apprentice and the Trafalgar Sail, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is one of the best-value, full days out in the UK!
Listings
Summer Holidays
Tuesday 24 July – Sunday 2 September 2012
Monday 23 July – Sunday 2 September
11am - 12noon & 2pm - 4pm
Mary Rose Story at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Try on one of our costumes and step back in time. Bring your camera to capture the moment?
FREE with valid ticket
Tuesday 24 July
Wednesday 25 July
Thursday 26 July
Tuesday 31 July
Wednesday 1 August
Thursday 2 August
Tuesday 7 August
Wednesday 8 August
Thursday 9 August
Tuesday 14 August
Wednesday 15 August
Thursday 16 August
Tuesday 21 August
Wednesday 22 August
Thursday 23 August
Tuesday 28 August
Wednesday 29 August
Thursday 30 August
11am - 4pm
Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside!
HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
All the fun of a Victorian seaside holiday! Dress up and promenade along the “pier”, become a pier entertainer, put on a Punch and Judy show and make a souvenir to take home. Plus learn about and play with Victorian style toys and board games.
FREE with a valid ticket and children must be accompanied by an adult
Tuesday 24 July – Sunday 2 September
10.30am – 4.30pm
HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Warrior’s gunroom is now somewhere you can bring your young sailors for R&R including costumed role play, toys, games and colouring.
FREE with a valid ticket
Tuesday 25 July & Tuesday 31 July
Tuesday 7 & Tuesday 14 August
Wednesday 1 August
Wednesday 8 August
Wednesday 15 August
11am, 12noon, 2pm & 3pm
Victorian Storytelling
HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Interactive and spooky storytelling of the story of “Dan & the Ship of Bones”: a timber shivering adventure.
FREE with a valid ticket
Sea Voyage Adventures
Celebrate the year of the London Olympics by discovering more about past and future Olympic hosts and their seafaring heritage.
Join us each week and get your Games Passport stamped to enter our special prize draw!
Wednesday 25 July
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games and make a special torch and laurel wreath! Discover more about ancient Greece, make your own decorated vase or plate, create an eye amulet based on ships and learn all about Poseidon-the God of the sea!
FREE drop-in workshop, all ages welcome
Wednesday 1 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Discover the land of the Vikings and try writing your name in ancient runes, learn about Norse myths and legends, create a hammer to rival Thor’s and make your own Viking Dragon ship!
FREE drop-in workshop, all ages welcome
Wednesday 8 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Celebrate the year of the Dragon with us! Create your own Chinese compass based on one in the museum, make a super, sparkly firework collage and design a nautical themed fan or drum! You can even try your hand at creating and sailing your own mini Chinese reed boat!
FREE drop-in workshop, all ages welcome
Wednesday 15 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Make a mythical mosaic based on the legend of Neptune then have a go at creating a boat shield or your own ancient Roman lighthouse. Why not get togged up in a toga to really enjoy the spirit of ancient Rome?
FREE drop-in workshop, all ages welcome
Wednesday 22 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Learn more about the amazing Pacific navigators including making your own stick and shell map. Discover some Aboriginal stories inspired by the sea and get creative with dot art to recreate the tales.
FREE drop-in workshop, all ages welcome
Wednesday 29 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
We’re having a mini carnival to celebrate Brazil hosting the 2016 Olympic Games! Have a go at creating a mask and shaker to join in the celebrations. Then learn all about Magellan’s voyage to Brazil and the extraordinary animals, birds and insects of the Amazon rainforest!
FREE drop-in workshop, all ages welcome
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 July
10am - 4.30pm
HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of HMS Warrior’s homecoming to Portsmouth
Join thirty Officers’ and crew on board for a weekend of Victorian naval traditions – see gun drills, small arms demonstrations and Victorian messing including sea songs, knot tying, Dickensian street entertainers, plus children’s activities, storytelling and workshops.
FREE with a valid ticket
Every Tuesday in August:
Tuesday 7 August
Tuesday 14 August
Tuesday 21 August
Tuesday 28 August
11am – 4.30pm
HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
FREE with a valid ticket, all ages welcome
Every Tuesday in August:
Tuesday 7 August
Tuesday 14 August
Tuesday 21 August
Tuesday 28 August
11am – 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
All hands on deck
HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
What is a fid? Where would you find a holy stone? Who was Captain Adair? Join the HMS Victory Guides for a fascinating chance to hear stories, view and handle objects from the collection.
Drop-in, FREE with valid ticket, all ages welcome
Thursday 2 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Practice your detective skills and identify the mystery objects to learn more about Nelson’s Navy and life.
FREE with a valid ticket. Drop-in, all ages welcome
Every Friday in August:
Friday 3 August
Friday 10 August
Friday 17 August
Friday 24 August
Friday 31 August
11am - 1pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Join us once again for summer holiday activities aimed at the under 5s. There will be music, dressing-up, crafts and stories plus the chance to explore the Museum with a different ‘treasure’ hunt each week.
FREE drop-in session for under 5s and accompanying adults and activities take place in ‘The Cabin’ Family Area in the Victory Gallery
Sunday 5th August 11am - 4.30pm It’s A Naval Knockout National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Forget about the Games this summer and come on down to Victory Arena for It’s a Naval Knockout! There’ll be fun for all the family throughout the day with the chance to channel your competitive spirit and enter a team in the afternoon. Will your team win the Portsmouth 2012 trophy? All you need is five willing participants - whether you’re a five a side footy team or the greatest pub quiz team ever, there’ll be an event you can excel at! And of course, there’ll be free candy floss…
For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: molly.wilson@nmrn.org.uk
FREE event but registration required to enter a team in the afternoon with a charge of £2 per person.
Thursday 9 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Discover more about Admiral Lord Nelson’s medals and badges. Complete our quick challenge to get the chance to create a medal to take home.
FREE with a valid ticket. Drop-in, all ages welcome
Thursday 16 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Find out how the Master sailed the ship and make a piece of navigational equipment to help find your way home!
FREE with a valid ticket. Drop-in, all ages welcome
Thursday 23 August
11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Learn all about the feathered and furry creatures that lived aboard HMS Victory and make'
