General Opening Times
Changes to winter opening times
From 4 November, we'll be moving to winter opening times for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (10am - 5pm). The Royal Navy Submarine Museum will be closed every Monday and Tuesday but open 10am - 4.30pm for the other days. Explosion Museum will be closed Monday to Friday from 4th November but open 10am - 4.30pm (last entry 4pm) every Saturday and Sunday. All sites in Portsmouth and Gosport operate winter opening times until 31 March 2020.
100% bag search in operation
For the safety of our visitors and staff, we operate a 100% bag search policy on-site. That means everytime you enter the dockyard, we'll need to search your bag. We'll be as quick as possible while you wait.
Refurbishing The Victory Gallery
From 3 November 2019, a fantastic refurbishment project will begin inside The Victory Gallery as new interactive exhibits are created which will tell the story of Victory's own preservation project and her history at the Battle of Trafalgar. This exciting transformation will require us to close the gallery until 3 April 2020 when it will reopen to visitors. Alongside the gallery, a new 'dry dock experience' will see visitors walk under Nelson's flagship - an exciting experience for all.
General opening times
Until 3 November, all attractions will be open everyday from 10am. After this time, attractions will move to winter opening times.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Winter opening times
4 November 2019 - 29 March 2020 (10am to 5pm)
Last entry to attractions vary.
Victorian Christmas Festival
29 November 2019 - 1 December 2019 (10am to 5pm)
Attraction tickets are not valid for special events.
Summer opening times
30 March 2020 - 1 November 2020 (10am to 5:30pm)
Last entry to attractions vary.
Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Winter opening times
4 November – 29 March 2020 (10.00am - 4.30pm) Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Last entry to HMS Alliance is 4pm. Museum galleries close at 4.30pm.
Christmas opening times
27 December 2019 - 3 January 2020 (10am - 4.30pm)
1 January 2020 (11am - 4pm)
February half term opening times
15 - 23 February (10am - 4.30pm)
Summer opening times
30 March 2020 - 1 November 2020 (10.00am - 4.30pm)
Last entry to HMS Alliance is 4.30pm. Museum galleries close at 5.00pm.
Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
Winter opening times
4 November 2019 - 29 March 2020 (10.00am - 4.30pm)
Closed Monday - Friday. Last entry to the museum is 4pm.
Christmas opening times
We're open every weekend 10am - 4.30pm!
Monday to Friday we are closed...
23-27 November 2019
30 November 2019 - 3 January 2020
February half term opening times
15 - 23 February (10am - 4.30pm)
Summer opening times
30 March 2020 - 1 November 2020 (10am - 5pm.) Last entry to the museum is 4.30pm.
Harbour Tours
Harbour Tours are included in a Full Navy Ticket. 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.
The Harbour Tour leaves from the jetty alongside HMS Warrior. Please check with the Visitor Centre for daily sailing times.
While we welcome one and all onboard the Harbour Tour, pushchairs and buggies must placed in our buggy parks due to health and safety. These are located closed by near Boathouse 4 and inside Boathouse 5. If you're unsure about locating these, please speak to a member of the team before queuing.
Waterbus times
Please note that during winter opening (From 4 November) the waterbus runs at weekends only.
Due to the jetties and steps being unsuitable for large pushchair, only small umbrella fold buggies can be carried onto the Waterbus, which must already be folded down before access to the Waterbus is permitted. Other buggy types can be left inside buggy parts near Boathouse 4 or inside Boathouse 5.
The waterbus is included with a Full Navy Ticket and is subject to availability and prevailing weather conditions, therefore its availability cannot be guaranteed. The waterbus leaves from the jetty alongside HMS Warrior. Please see the table below for the waterbus departure times (*indicates pick up only due to attraction closing time **collection only from RNSM).
| From Portsmouth Historic Dockyard | From Royal Navy Submarine Museum | From Explosion Museum |
|---|---|---|
| 10:15 | 10:30 | - |
| 10:45 | 11:00 | - |
| 11:15 | 11.30 | - |
| 11:45 | - | 12:00 |
| 12:15 | 12:30 | - |
| 1:15 | 1:30 | - |
| 1:45 | - | 2:00 |
| 2:15 | 2:30 | - |
| 2:45 | 3:00 | - |
| 3:15 | 3:30 | - |
| 3:45* | - | 4:00* |
| 4:15* | 4:30 | - |
Tidal movements effecting Waterbus
From time to time, the Waterbus service which operates from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to our partner sites can be impacted by tide movements. Here are some changes to upcoming Waterbus times and services:
| Date | Change description |
|---|---|
| Monday 28 October | 5:15pm will berth at Gunwharf Quays |
Attraction closing times
We always try hard to adhere to our closing times as closely as possible. On some occasions, they may vary throughout the year. All attractions close an hour before the site closes. *Sailing times for Harbour Tours change daily - so it's always worth checking on the day you plan to visit.
| All attractions | Summer closing times | Winter closing times |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Victory | 5:30 pm | 5 pm |
| HMS Warrior | 5:30 pm | 5 pm |
| National Museum of the Royal Navy | 5:30 pm | 5 pm |
| Action Stations | 5:30 pm | 5 pm |
| HMS M.33 | 5:30 pm | 3 pm |
| Boathouse 4 | 4:30 pm | 4:30 pm |
| Harbour Tours | Check sailing times* | Check sailing times* |
| Explosion Museum | 5 pm | 4:30 pm |
| Submarine Museum | 5 pm | 4:30 pm |
Want to know more about your visit?
Take a look at our frequently asked questions section to see if you can find the answer.
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