The ever-popular Heritage Open Days is returning in 2023 alongside a brand-new theme of “Creativity Unwrapped” with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard hosting events across its different galleries and attractions. With events taking place between Friday 8th September and Sunday 17th September, highlights include seeing the groundbreaking work being done to look after Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, and the chance to look behind the scenes at some of the exciting items in the vast collection. All events for Heritage Open Days are completely free, and visitors are encouraged to book as soon as possible.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, offering free access to heritage events and activities across England, and with thousands of events across the country there really is something for everyone. The scheme also gives visitors the opportunity to experience sites that usually charge for admission. Events at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard give visitors the chance to see important artefacts, conservation work, and more up close.
Gosport pioneered Heritage Open Days in England all the way back in 1992, and this tradition continues at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower. Their experiences will showcase the engrossing stories of submariners and pioneers of underwater warfare, alongside a unique chance to visit Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower for an experience especially created for families with children with SEND or sensory issues.
Events for Heritage Open Days in the Portsmouth galleries and museums offer a unique chance to get behind the scenes. Visit one of the stores for the collection of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, which combined comprises over 2.5 million items. Or learn about the groundbreaking work going on to preserve HMS Victory, the flagship of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson. Mary Rose Trust are also running behind the scenes tours of the Museum’s Reserve Collection for Heritage Open Days 2023, although spaces for these tours are currently full.
Events are selling fast, for a full list and where to book visit our What’s On page