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 Coach and Car Park
- Boathouse No.7
- Victory Arena
- Royal Naval Museum
- Mary Rose Museum
Wheelchairs are available free of charge from the Visitor Centre, Mary Rose, HMS Warrior 1860 and Royal Naval Museum. Please call 023 9283 9766 for further information.
Shop Mobility
Shop Mobility is available during certain events.
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.
Attraction Accessibility
Mary Rose
Mary Rose 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. For the Ship Hall, follow the Special Access Route to the Victory Arena and take the path over the bridge behind HMS Victory (keep the ship on your right). The ramps to the Ship Hall are on your left.
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.
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.
Royal Naval Museum
The Royal Naval Museum 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
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.
The Dockyard Apprentice
Accessible to wheelchairs