If you're a fan of Naval history....you're going to enjoy this.
We purchased the 11 Attraction Ticket via a discount website and the ticket is good for a year, so you don't have to do everything in one day. Well worth the entry fee. It far exceeded our expectations. Didn't realise the site was so vast. I don't think you can do it all in one day and we will have to arrange a trip back to see the rest. The Mary Rose is not part of the historic dockyard and a separate ticket must be purchased.
The Dockyard itself forms part of Her Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth and is home to two thirds of the current Royal Navy fleet. The Historic Dockyard is the name given to the portion of the base which is open to the public and plays host to a number of historic artefacts. So what did we see on our day out.
HMS Victory is brilliant. A must see. This is arguably one of the most famous warships in the world. Best known for her role at the Battle of Trafalgar, the Victory is also the oldest commissioned warship in the world, having a dual role as the Flagship for the UK's First Sea Lord and as a living museum. It was on the Victory, during the Battle of Trafalgar, that Admiral Nelson died and is considered to be an iconic moment in world history. The ship will take you on a journey to understand technical maritime advancements of the day, together with her role during Trafalgar, the death of Nelson and what life would have been like on board the ship. Do take the audio guide which is free and really brings it to life.
Then we did the adjoining National Museum of the Royal Navy which has some interesting facts about HMS Victory and various figureheads.
HMS 33
One of the newer attractions in the Dockyard, M33 is one of just three British warships to survive from World War I. She is a floating gun platform designed to bombard coastal positions. She supported campaigns such as the Battle of Gallipoli, very interesting film to watch, and around the Mediterranean until the end of the War. She then went on to serve as part of the North Russian Expeditionary Force before becoming a mine laying training ship at Portsmouth.
Then after a bite to eat in the Boathouse it was off to The Explosion Museum of Navy Firepower based in Gosport. The ferry is every 2 hours. The site is converted from an eighteenth-century explosives factory - you can imagine why it is not in Portsmouth dockyard. Its not that hard to imagine how workers had to work with dangerous chemicals with Georgian-Victorian safety standards. If you can't, additional sculptures are there to help. You will find yourself surrounded by the most-advanced dangers of the time, with cannons, torpedoes and mines and the production processes. The massive brick hall is impressive. And it certainly does have lots of stuff for boys - however it provides a fascinating history of the local Priddy's Hard, and how the munitions where stored for the ships in the harbour, and what the local men and women did. Learnt plenty, some of it very scary and thought provoking. To stand by a shell bigger than us and think of the destruction just one could cause was a sobering thought. Also has a nice little café.
Arriving back at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the stunning sleek, black lines of Britain's first iron-hulled, armoured warship took our breath away. HMS Warrior was launched in 1860, the pride of Queen Victoria's fleet. Powered by steam and sail, she was the largest, fastest and most powerful ship of her day and had a profound effect on naval architecture. Warrior was,in her time, the ultimate deterrent. Yet within a few years she was obsolete. 100% recommend you visit this boat. Regardless if you like ships or the Navy it is so interesting. The history is brought to life by being able to walk around the ship and there are always knowledgeable staff on hand, in Victorian costumes, to answer your questions or to give you more insight to the ship's history. Think of the opening scenes of Master and Commander! That's inside Warrior! Luxury compared to Victory.
Our day was almost over - the Dockyard closes at 5.30 and we had arrived at 10 a.m. Just time to visit Action Stations. Because the place was about to close we were the only ones visiting. Had great fun in the helicopter simulator and shooting boats and planes. Predominately child orientated attractions though. Says a lot about us!!!
We then decided it was time for a drink in the Old Customs House. A quirky building with seating in small areas but some really comfortable chairs after spending all day on our feet.
We then crossed over to Loch Fyne at Gun Wharf Quays to meet Doug and Sofia for dinner. An excellent meal, with excellent company. A great end to the day.
We parked for the day at the underground car park that gives direct access to the outlet centre and is only a short walk from the Dockyard. Exit the M27 at junction 12, then join the M275 motorway which brings you directly in to Portsmouth, and then follow the brown signs for the Historic Waterfront leading you straight to Gunwharf Quays. Use postcode PO1 3TZ for Sat Nav. Oh and remember to take your credit card!!!!!
