Royal Navy Museums: Submarines: A morning or afternoon Itinerary from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
11/08/2026
Only Have a Day? Dive Beneath the Surface.
Some stories are best experienced from the inside. If you’re looking for a different kind of day out at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, this itinerary takes you beneath the waves to discover the remarkable world of the Royal Navy’s submariners.
Morning
Start your journey aboard the Waterbus, crossing Portsmouth Harbour to Royal Navy Museums: Submarines. The short trip offers a unique perspective of the dockyard before you arrive at one of Britain’s most fascinating naval museums.
Step aboard HMS Alliance, Britain’s only Cold War-era submarine open to visitors, and experience what life was really like beneath the waves. Duck through narrow passageways, stand beneath the periscopes and explore the spaces submariners lived and worked in for months at a time.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch or a coffee overlooking the harbour before taking time to explore the museum at your own pace.
Afternoon
Discover the stories behind the Royal Navy’s Silent Service through immersive galleries, historic submarines and remarkable personal stories. Then catch the Waterbus back to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, seeing the harbour from a different perspective as your day comes to an end.
FAQ’s
Discover bite-sized answers to all of your burning questions.
Can I go inside a real submarine?
How long should I spend at Royal Navy Museums: Submarines?
How do I get to the Royal Navy Museums: Submarines?
Is the Waterbus included with my ticket?