Community

The Dockyard is the heart of Portsmouth’s heritage, and there are now more ways than ever to get involved.

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Historic Dockyard Portsmouth

In November 2021 we introduced the Historic Quarter Pass; access to the Dockyard site is now free. Simply request your free Historic Quarter Pass at the Visitor Centre.

Historic Quarter Pass visitors to the Dockyard can enjoy the following:

Living, Breathing Boathouse 4

  • Watch experts and volunteers in action as they meticulously restore historic boats, echoing the building’s original purpose 80 years ago
  • Spot scars that remain from World War 2 shrapnel: glimpses of light through the corrugated iron elevation
  • Visit the Boathouse 4 Restaurant overlooking the harbour. You may even witness a modern-day war ship sail past from the neighbouring HM Naval Base

Boathouse 7

  • Discover how Britain’s oldest Royal Dockyard led innovation throughout the ages in The Dockyard Apprentice exhibition

Historic Quarter Grounds

  • Stroll through 12 acres of historic dockyard where you’ll spot several moments in Royal Navy history, from statues of significant figures to artifacts and machinery
  • Grab a coffee from the Mary Rose Cafe and sit by the magnificent HMS Victory
  • Walk through the brick arches of the over 250-year old Storehouses, built to store essential equipment for Nelson’s Navy.

On the Water

  • In the summer months, visitors to the Dockyard can - at a cost of £10 per head - take an exciting open-air excursion out on the water aboard Falklands Landing Craft Foxtrot 8.

Visitors wishing to explore the Mary Rose Museum, HMS Victory and the many other attractions on site can buy tickets HERE.

Priddy's Hard Gosport

The Priddy's Hard former munitions site in Gosport is free access, accessible by road and cycle path from Gosport, or by Waterbus from the Historic Dockyard. 

Stroll around the grounds, absorbing the atmosphere of this 18th century ordnance yard, have a cup of tea by the camber dock, watching ships in the harbour, or visit the The Powder Monkey Taphouse for lunch and a craft beer - brewed on site. 

The site is home to the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and the Night Hunters exhibition; tickets may be purchased HERE.

Events

With our partner Trusts, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Mary Rose Trust, we regularly host free events in the Dockyard. In 2022 this included D-Day and Jubilee commemoration events. 

At free-to-enter monthly Boathouse 4 open pontoon weekends you can visit and explore our historic vessels on the water. These occur monthly from April to October.

Keep an eye on our social media for updates on upcoming Dockyard events.

Volunteering

We could not do the work we do without the expertise and dedication of our volunteers.

The Porter's Garden, Boathouse 4 and Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Trust volunteer teams work tirelessly to maintain, restore and interpret the site and its history.

Please see our Volunteering page for more information.

Dockyard Art

We are dedicated to supporting local artists and the development of our vibrant creative communities. Please see our Dockyard Art page for more information.

Historic Buildings

Discover more about the history of the buildings managed by the Trust

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Historic Boats

Learn more about the boats acquired and restored by the Trust

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Get Involved

Find out how you can contribute to preserving our nation's naval history

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Supported by:

Supported by Regional Growth Fund