Visiting HMS Victory

Visiting HMS Victory is on a free flow basis when guides are positioned throughout the ship to answer any queries. Guided tour times are not required and you are able to visit the ship at your leisure and take photographs (except where notified otherwise)

 

If you have any questions please telephone our Visitor Centre on 02392 728 060.

 

Visitor Information

HMS Victory is currently undergoing a period of restoration and visitors have the unique opportunity to witness the process taking place on the oldest commissioned warship in the world and a proud memorial to Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain's greatest Naval hero and his stunning victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Her topmasts and rigging have been struck, or taken down, and her planking is under investigation. This is nothing unusual as wooden ships like Victory needed constant care and attention from the day they were launched. These repairs are simply the latest in a long tradition of regular upkeep.

The last time HMS Victory was seen without her top masts was back in 1944, so this really is a once in a life time opportunity to see HMS Victory under-going such extreme maintenance. Interestingly, with her topmasts down, Victory will look much as she did after the Battle of Trafalgar when she had to be towed to Gibraltar for repairs.”

A quick update from the project manager: “The forecastle caulking and beak deck works are now completed. The forecastle scaffolding has been removed, and that for the beak deck will follow suit shortly. The forecastle and sick berth are now available to view on the visitor route. Currently the only work being undertaken is that to the lower masts. The main and mizzen should be completed by the end of the month, with the foremast complete for the end of August. There is no further major work programme before Autumn, but in the meantime, there will be smaller works coming through on a fairly regular basis that may see slight alterations to the visitor route or limit access in some areas. These works will not, however, see any of the areas of the ship closed – rather small sections may be roped off for short periods of time.”

To find out more about the background to the restoration visit our news page 

We will update this section regularly, so you are aware if there are any areas affected by work.