Please check this page for last minute announcements before visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Alternatively please call our visitor centre on 023 9272 8060.
To download our generic visitor leaflet for more information about your visit, please click here.
The Mary Rose hull is currently withdrawn from public view as part of a £35 million heritage project to build an internationally-renowned museum. The ship, together with a recreation of the boat’s missing side, will next be open to the public in 2012, when she will be housed in a brand new boat-shaped museum.
However, the existing Mary Rose Museum, located right by the entrance to the Historic Dockyard, will remain open until 2012. Having been nationally recognised as a ‘Family Friendly Museum’, this attraction is a must-see in its own right.
What’s more we have a new introductory film, specially narrated by TV historian Dan Snow, new exhibits, enhanced displays and a personal interpretation of the ship by experienced guides to ensure that you really enjoy your visit.
Visiting HMS Victory
Guided tours will operate 7 days a week - until March 2010.
Guided tours on HMS Victory are very popular and cannot be pre-booked. They are bookable on your arrival at the Visitor Centre and we recommend that you get here as early as possible as availability cannot be guaranteed. If you have any questions please telephone our Visitor Centre on 02392 728 060.
The Historic Dockyard opens at 10am everyday throughout the year, except when closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. (Open from 11am on New Years Day).
From April-October: Last tickets to the attractions are sold at 4.30pm and the Dockyard gates are closed at 6.00pm.
From November - March: Last tickets to the attractions are sold at 4.00pm and the Dockyard gates are closed at 5.30pm.
Attraction Closing Times
Please note these are approximate timings and may vary slightly at different times of the year.
HMS Warrior 1860 - winter 5.00pm; summer 5.30pm
Harbour Tours: check sailing times but usually last sailing in summer is 4.00pm
Mary Rose Museum - winter 4.45; summer 5.30pm
Royal Naval Museum - winter 4.15pm; summer 5.00pm
Action Stations - winter 5.00pm; summer 5.30pm
HMS Victory Walkup winter - 3.45pm; summer 4.30pm
The following gives a brief description of the planned closures and changes in opening times at the attractions that have been announced in advance. If you would like to check details on the day you are visiting, please telephone the Visitor Centre on 023 9272 8060.
The Historic Dockyard is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Mary Rose
The Mary Rose Ship Hall is now temporarily closed until 2012 whilst a new £35 million museum is built around her. The Mary Rose Museum remains open and contains over 1,000 original Tudor artefacts. Having been nationally recognised as a ‘Family Friendly Museum’, this attraction is a must-see in its own right! For more information click here:
Harbour Tours
A Harbour Tour is included free with an Annual Admission ticket, but additional tickets for the Harbour Tour can be purchased at the blue cabin on the jetty, just inside the Historic Dockyard. For more information please telephone 023 9272 8060. Harbour Tours are subject to availability and prevailing weather conditions during the winter months and their availability cannot be guaranteed.
HMS Victory
HMS Victory will be closed until 12:30 on the 4th March 2010 due to a service commitment.
HMS Warrior 1860
Currently nothing to report
Action Stations
On 2nd, 3rd and 4th March 2010 from 10:00-15:00, Action Stations will be closed due to the Educational Business Partnership Science Fair.
On 19th April, 20th April, 21st April, 23rd April the first floor of Action Stations will be closed. The ground floor will be open as usual.
On 27th April 2010 Action Stations will close its first floor and auditorium from 12 noon and the ground floor from 1pm.
On 19th, 20th and 21st October 2010, the first floor auditorium of Action Stations will be closed.
Royal Naval Museum
Due to cleaning and maintenance, there will be the following closures:
The Lewin Gallery will be closed on 4th and 5th January 2010
The Sailing Navy Gallery will be closed on 6th,7th and 8th January 2010
The Victory Gallery will closed on 11th - 15th January 2010
The Nelson Gallery will be closed on 18th - 22nd January 2010
Boathouse No. 7 Restaraunt
No current closures
Photography and Media
Mary Rose: Visitors cannot use flash cameras in the Mary Rose Museum where light sensitive materials are on display.
HMS Victory: During Free Flow photography is permitted throughout Victory. When guided tours are in operation, photography is not permitted due to the time constraints of the tour. Please note that a flash cannot be used for photographing in the Orlop, by the Death of Nelson painting.
Royal Naval Museum: No professional photography of any sort is allowed in the Museum galleries without the permission from the curatorial staff. Photography for personal reference is allowed but, to help preserve the collections on display, visitors are asked not to use flash photography. A small selection of high quality reproductions of key items from the exhibitions are available as postcards and prints from the Museum's shops.
Action Stations: Photography is permitted throughout the attraction.
If you would like further details about commercial photography or film-taking on the site, please contact the Public Relations Office on 023 9289 4550 or submit an email request via our Contacts page.
Serving personnel discounts
HMS Victory & the Royal Naval Museum is FREE for the pass holder and their immediate family (spouses, live-in partners & children). When guided tours are running, timed tickets need to be collected from the Visitor Centre and are only available on a first come, first served basis. Please be aware guided tours can get booked up very quickly and all visitors are advised to arrive early and book their timed slot in the Visitor Centre to avoid disappointment. Personnel wishing to take advantage of this offer will be asked to produce Military ID at the Visitor Centre where they will be issued with a complimentary ticket. It is essential that personnel go to the Visitor Centre on arrival rather than boarding the ship directly. Please note this offer is not valid for special events (e.g. A Victorian Festival of Christmas).
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted into the Historic Dockyard, with the exception of guide and registered assistance dogs.
Portsmouth City CouncilFor further information on the City of Portsmouth, please visit the Portsmouth City Council website
