Accessibility - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Ships

HMS Victory

One of the decks of HMS Victory is accessible with a handling activity and virtual tour available to enhance visits. Touch tours and Audio Descriptive tours are also available.

HMS Warrior

The ship is accessed via a ramp. Because she is still afloat the gradient can change with the tides and we would recommend entering at low tide if that is a concern, tide times can be accessed here.

HMS M.33

Is more accessible than some of her older counterparts. Wheelchair access to the lower deck is available via a lift* and upper deck stairs are more generously spaced. There are some steep stairs in place and our Audio Visual Experience does not have subtitles and can be dark and upsetting for some.

The Mary Rose

The Museum is fully accessible by wheelchair, and the museum houses a wheelchair accessible toilet. Lifts are available to move along the visitor route. Information and guides are available in large print formats. We also offer sensory resources, including tactile plans and paintings of the ship. Visitors are also welcome to handle certain artefacts, both historical objects and replicas. The light levels in the museum are kept low for conservation purposes, so if you have any issues please speak to a member of our team and they will help you with your journey. There is an audio loop system in exhibition spaces. We also provide transcripts and subtitles for the audio visual content in most areas.

*lift currently out of action

Galleries

The National Museum of the Royal Navy

The National Museum of the Royal Navy galleries are fully accessible to wheelchair users including a lift and toilets in every gallery.

Victory Gallery

We have multi-sensory kit bags for use in galleries. Wheelchairs, magnifying glasses and large print text can also be arranged in advance.

Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower

Based in Gosport. Is located on one floor and is fully accessible to wheelchair and mobility scooter users. The Grand Magazine includes low lighting that some guests may find difficult. There is also a mix of audio and visual displays around the museum.

Boats

The Royal Navy Submarine Museum

HMS Alliance, based at the Submarine Museum in Gosport, is not accessible for wheelchairs, and like the submariners who served on her, visitors will experience dark, cramped spaces, with low ceiling heights and trip hazards. There is lift access to the aft ends of the vessel, though please note this gives access to one area of the Submarine only and not a full walkthrough.

Harbour Tour

Two manual wheelchair spaces are available on the Harbour Tours service (depending on the vessel).

Waterbus

Unfortunately, buggies and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated due to the design of the jetties and steps.

Toilets

Accessible toilets can be found in these locations:

National Museum of the Royal Navy Galleries
Victory Gallery
Mary Rose Museum
Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
Submarine Museum
Boathouse 4
Boathouse 5
Boathouse 7

Adult changing facilities are available in the Mary Rose disabled toilets.

FAQ’S

Click here to discover bite-sized answers to all of your burning questions. Everything from planning your visit, opening times, how to get here and more, we’ve got you covered.

How accessible are Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Attractions?

We welcome all visitors to the Dockyard, and we have tried to make it as safe as possible. However, some of our attractions are historic buildings and ships, and we know that there can be challenges for some visitors. We have included all our accessibility information on the link below, which should help you understand a bit more about the site and to decide if you think that your visit will be impaired at all. If you believe that you will be limited in your visit or need extra support, then please contact our enquiries team who will be happy to assist you.

Please note that mobility scooters can be pre-booked through Shop Mobility Portsmouth shopmobility@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or by calling 07493132948. Please note, Shopmobility Portsmouth politely request at least 3 days’ notice is given for bookings to ensure availability for your planned visit

Mary Rose Museum

Fully wheelchair/mobility scooter accessible with lifts to all floors. For more information including an ‘Accessibility Map’ for this museum please visit https://maryrose.org/accessibility/

National Museum of the Royal Navy

All on one level and accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters

HMS M.33

Wheelchair access to the lower deck is available via a lift (please note that this lift is currently out of order) and upper deck stairs are more generously spaced. There are some steep stairs in place and our Audio Visual Experience does not have subtitles and can be dark and upsetting for some.

HMS Warrior

Accessible by ramp for wheelchair and small/narrow mobility scooters. Since she is in water we recommend visiting at low tide as the gradient of the ramp does vary. For tide times please visit – https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/port-information/tide-tables. HMS Warrior does have steep stairs with rope bannisters, trip hazards, low ceilings, poor lighting and can be slippy on a wet day. There is however and an accessible route marked on the deck plan and includes a fixed banister staircase at the rear of the ship and a stairlift between the upper deck and the main gun deck (suitable for visitors who are able to transfer themselves to the stairlift). Wheelchairs and mobility scooters must be left on the upper deck and a manual wheelchair is available for visitors to use on the main gun deck. Staff are on hand to help throughout the ship.

HMS Victory

HMS Victory contains step stairs, rope bannisters, low ceilings, narrow and low doorways, low light levels and uneven floors. It can also be slippy on the upper decks when wet. There is wheelchair access to Lower Gun Deck where a DVD tour runs, subject to availability and audio guides are available. At some times during low season guided tours will be operated on HMS Victory. Details of these can be obtained at the Visitor Centre upon arrival. Whilst we are running guided tours on the HMS Victory, there is no wheelchair/mobility scooter access onboard the ship. Though, the DVD tour of the ship can be viewed in the Victory Gallery located opposite the Victory itself. Pushchairs should be left at the ‘buggy park’ at owners risk and cannot be taken onboard. Please note that conservation work is currently underway onboard HMS Victory so some areas may be closed off to the public / wheelchair accessibility prohibited on certain dates. We would recommend contacting us via our General Enquiries number for more information on the day of your visit.

Victory Gallery

Lift to upper floor accessible by wheelchair or small mobility scooter

Boathouse 4

Lift to upper floor accessible by wheelchair or small mobility scooter

Boathouse 7/Dockyard Apprentice

All on one level accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter

Submarine Museum

HMS Alliance, based at the Submarine Museum in Gosport, is accessible by steps or lift. Unfortunately, it is not accessible for wheelchairs and like the submariners who served on her, visitors will experience dark, cramped spaces, with low ceiling heights and trip hazards. Visitors using a wheelchair will be able to look through the Submarine from the aft end (via the lift) which will give a partial view of the inside. A lift is a available inside the museum to the upper floor. Pushchairs cannot be taken onboard the Submarine so please ask staff where to store them.

Explosion Museum

Located in Gosport this museum is accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter

Harbour Tour

There are manual wheelchair spaces available on the bottom deck of the Harbour Tour. The tour cannot be pre-booked and operates on a first come first served basis. For further questions such as daily running times they can be contacted via 01983 564 602.

Disabled toilets are located throughout the site

The waterbus is a complimentary water taxi service for those with a valid ticket to visit our Gosport attractions. The waterbus operates during the Gosport attractions opening hours. Unfortunately, it does not have space to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility scooters but manual wheelchairs can be pre-booked to meet the waterbus over at Gosport by emailing enquiries@nmrn.org.uk. Only umbrella fold pushchairs can be accommodated on the waterbus. Please note that there are large steps on and off the waterbus. Assistance dogs are permitted.

We look forward to welcoming you and should you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch

Where can I find out about Accessibility?

Do you offer any support for visitors with sensory sensitivities or who find queuing difficult?