This October half term, the Dockyard is packed with family fun. Step aboard HMS Warrior for Set Sail for Storytime, an interactive adventure that gets young explorers thinking about the ocean and the wildlife within it. At the Mary Rose Museum, meet our Tudor crew for stories of life on Henry VIII’s favourite ship, try your hand with the Tudor gun crew, and make your own dragon linstock in the Learning Centre. There’s also a caulking workshop running over on Victory Live: The Big Repair, if you fancy trying some traditional shipbuilding skills. All activities are included with your Portsmouth Historic Dockyard ticket.
Whether you’re battling that school holiday boredom or seeking quality time with the whole family, choose an action-packed day with excitement.
Get hands-on experience in this maritime haven, which offers something for every young adventurer; step inside a real-life submarine and fire arrows like a soldier from the Tudor times. The Dockyard is the perfect place for the whole family to dive into history and make memories together that will last a lifetime.
*All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
Victory Summer – the Trafalgar Sail
This summer experience HMS Victory like never before. For a limited time only come face-to-face with the battle-scarred Trafalgar sail. Between 4 July and 30 September visitors will get the chance to come face to face with the largest surviving object from the battle of Trafalgar – the battle-damaged topsail from Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory. […]
Royal Navy Museum
04/07/2026 10:00 am-30/09/2026 5:00 pm
Set Sail for Storytime – A Minecraft Education Solar System
The adventure doesn’t stop when Captain Compass looks up! Continue the adventure from Look Up! as young explorers journey beyond the skies in an interactive Minecraft Education workshop, discovering planets, stars and galaxies before designing their own solar systems. Inspired by the Royal Navy’s long tradition of navigation, observation and technological innovation, participants will use […]
Victory Gallery
26/09/2026 12:00 pm-26/09/2026 3:00 pm
Set Sail for Storytime
Help Captain Compass solve a floating mystery inspired by Someone Swallowed Stanley Help Captain Compass solve the mystery as families discover how small actions can make a big difference to our oceans. Combining theatre, storytelling and STEM, this engaging adventure explores caring for our marine environment while celebrating the Royal Navy’s enduring connection to the […]
HMS Warrior
24/10/2026 12:15 pm-24/10/2026 3:00 pm
Come and Make Your Own Dragon Linstock
Make your own linstock and decorate it with a fiery dragon’s head to shine a light at Halloween! Linstocks (lighting sticks) were decorated wooden poles, used to ignite the fuse on a cannon while keeping your distance. Each gun captain would decorate his own linstock, often with a dragon’s head, so make your own cardboard […]
The Mary Rose Museum
26/10/2026 11:00 am-30/10/2026 3:00 pm
Meet Our Tudor Crew
This October half term come and meet our Tudor crew on board the Mary Rose. Continuing our Portsmouth 100 centennial celebrations, come and meet our Tudor sailors and discover which mythical creatures terrified them, and how they warded off the dark spirits of the sea! Why was it forbidden to whistle on board and why […]
The Mary Rose Museum
26/10/2026 11:30 am-30/10/2026 3:00 pm
Come and Meet Our Tudor Gun Crew
This October half term come and meet our Tudor crew on board the Mary Rose. Continuing our Portsmouth 100 centennial celebrations, come and try your hand at loading and firing a Tudor gun! Gather around our Tudor replica gun and learn how teamwork was a vital part of living, working and fighting on board a […]
The Mary Rose Museum
27/10/2026 11:00 am-27/10/2026 3:00 pm
Come and Meet Our Tudor Gun Crew
This October half term come and meet our Tudor crew on board the Mary Rose. Continuing our Portsmouth 100 centennial celebrations, come and try your hand at loading and firing a Tudor gun! Gather around our Tudor replica gun and learn how teamwork was a vital part of living, working and fighting on board a […]
The Mary Rose Museum
29/10/2026 11:00 am-29/10/2026 3:00 pm
A Christmas Ship
Step back in time and enjoy a heart warming festive experience at the Dockyard Step aboard HMS Warrior and travel back in time to a cold and crisp Christmas eve in 1863. Meet with Father Christmas and receive a festive gift, and join the crew as they prepare for a festive celebration in true Victorian […]
HMS Warrior
05/12/2026 10:00 am-06/12/2026 4:00 pm
Rats in Hats
Christmas at the Mary Rose Help! Twelve rats have hidden themselves amongst the largest collection of Tudor artefacts anywhere in the world this Christmas. We now need your help to locate them! Dressed in an array of Tudor hats, from the Lord of Misrule’s festive Jester’s hat to King Henry VIII’s crown, rats have taken […]
The Mary Rose Museum
12/12/2026 10:00 am-03/01/2027 5:00 pm
The Totally Serious Guide to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (For Grown-Ups)
Ahoy there. You might arrive at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with the noble intention of “a bit of culture.” Maybe some light learning. A quiet wander. A sensible coffee. Let’s manage expectations. This is not that kind of day. Welcome to the entirely serious, absolutely responsible guide to exploring Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as a fully grown […]
The Mini Explorers Totally Serious Guide to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
A family day out in Portsmouth this Spring. Ahoy there, grown-ups. You might think you’re in charge of today’s outing, but let’s be honest. The real captains of any family day out at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are the Mini Explorers. Welcome to the Mini Explorers guide to the Dockyard, the official handbook for the next generation of […]
7 Things To Do for Kids
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a treasure trove of adventure for all ages, not forgetting our younger visitors!
Top 6 Things to do on a Rainy Day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
If there’s one thing you can be certain of its the unpredictability of British weather.
Family-friendly adventures at the Dockyard: Top 5 summer picks
Turn every summer day into a family adventure at the Dockyard—rain or shine, the fun never stops [Editor’s note: All of the entries in this list are included with our Ultimate Explorer ticket, which guarantees unlimited access to all our attractions for 12 months. We also have full calendar of free* and special ticketed events throughout […]
Top 7 Things to do on a Sunny Day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Sun, sea, and ships – a perfect combination for a memorable day out!