Accessibility information
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomes all visitors. The site is, however, a working Naval Base and certain areas may present difficulties to visitors who use wheelchairs, with a restricted mobility or who are visually impaired. As a safety precaution, we ask that all these visitors are accompanied by a carer.
Facilities for disabled visitors
Toilets for disabled visitors can be found in:
- Historic Dockyard Car Park
- Boathouse No.7
- Victory Arena (closed from 9.30am - 11.30am on the 25th August 2011, please use the toilets in Boathouse No. 7)
- National Museum of the Royal Navy
- Action Stations
Shopmobility operate a scheme of hiring manual wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public with limited mobility. Their Shopmobility scooters and Wheelchairs are available by pre-booking only and are ready for use in our Visitor Centre. Please contact Portsmouth Shopmobility for more details and dates of availability on 023 9281 6973 or email Shopmobility@live.co.uk.
Car Parking
There are 15 disabled spaces available in the Historic Dockyard car park approximately 400 yards from the main entrance.
Special Access to Attractions
Our Special Access Route gives ramped access around the Heritage Area. Please also consider the specific suitability of each attraction, details of which follow. On leaving the Visitor Centre, follow Main Road to the ramp at the end of Storehouse No.9 (in front of the Victory Shop) and continue beneath the colonnades of the Royal Naval Museum. At the end of the colonnades, rejoin the main pedestrian walkway to the Victory Arena.
For a full list of accessibility by attraction, please click here.
"As a wheelchair user, I felt that there was no way I could ever visit the Victory let alone go aboard. Well how wrong I was! Not only getting aboard the famous vessel, but to see such a fantastic display. Thank you all at HMS Victory, glad to see she still has a dedicated crew." Mr Ferguson (22nd September 2011)
“I would like to thank the staff that supported a group of 3 adults with learning and physical disabilities who visited the dockyard. The supporting staff and service users had an excellent day and feel that this was aided by the support that the staff offered.” Ms Nichols (19th Sep 2008)
“Very attentive staff, loads of help with pushchair – brilliant.” Mr S Wyeth (18th August 2008)
Attraction Accessibility
The Mary Rose Museum
The Mary Rose Museum is fully accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs or with mobility difficulties. The Museum is easily accessed from the Main Road and there are no ramps. Staff will be happy to provide entry to the audio visual theatre avoiding the stairs.
HMS Victory
The HMS Victory tour involves climbing several flights of fairly steep steps. A video tour is provided on the Lower Gundeck for visitors who use wheelchairs or those who are unable to walk around the ship. Please ask at the Visitor Centre for the video tour. To reach the ship, follow the Special Access Route to the Victory Arena then proceed around the FRONT of the ship (keeping the ship on your left). Please ask a member of staff at the bottom of the gangway who will be able to provide assistance up the ramp if required.
The ship’s guides ask that babies are not carried on the ship in backpacks due to low beams.
HMS Warrior 1860
The ship has four decks, connected by steep steps. There is, however, alternative access to two decks. The ship is reached from the back of the Visitor Centre. Ramps provide access to the Upper Deck although at certain times the tides may make the gradient steep. Our staff will be able to advise if problems are likely. There is a stairlift (seat) from the Upper Deck to the Main Gun Deck. Visitors will need to transfer from their wheelchair to the lift with assistance from staff.
National Museum of the Royal Navy
The National Museum of the Royal Navy is entirely accessible throughout, with a visitor lift in the Victory Gallery. Tactile objects can be found in each gallery and there are a number of audio and audio-visual displays.
Action Stations
Generally Action Stations is fully accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs. There is a lift between the ground and first floor. To access Action Stations please use the walkway to the left of the mast pond.
Harbour Tours
2 x wheelchairs on board large Harbour Tours boat
No access for motorized wheelchairs or scooters
The Dockyard Apprentice
Accessible to wheelchairs.
