SHIP JUST GOT REAL THIS SUMMER!
We’re getting up to all sorts of ship this summer with our packed-out events programme! We have taken inspiration from the pioneers of naval history and will explore a different strand of STEM every week with fun activities and cool things to do that will keep everyone entertained this summer.
Experience an unforgettable summer filled with activities connected to different pioneer themes each week:
Teamwork is what made the Pioneers of the Royal Navy unstoppable. They knew that the best ideas were built together, because when it comes to innovation, no one sails solo. So, get your building...
Wednesday 30th July & Friday 1st August The Mary Rose depended on her hard-working crew to make her a fearsome fighting ship. Are you up to the challenge of joining our crew and becoming a...
Wednesday 30th July & Friday 1st August The Mary Rose depended on her hard-working crew to make her a fearsome fighting ship. Are you up to the challenge of joining our crew and becoming a...
Tuesday 5th August & Thursday 7th August The creation of an ‘Army-by-Sea’ and the desire to beat the French was an essential quality for Henry VIII and his admirals. Men like Lords Edward and...
Tuesday 5th August & Thursday 7th August The creation of an ‘Army-by-Sea’ and the desire to beat the French was an essential quality for Henry VIII and his admirals. Men like Lords Edward and...
Explore inspiring STEM technologies. Try out the tech on board like virtual reality, 3D printers, robots, AI, and loads more interactive fun. Pioneers of the Royal Navy needed ingenuity, imagination...
Let your imagination run wild during creative coding pop up stations. Collect all three stamps in the ‘pioneer passport’ and receive a free Sniff + Snails goody bag! Pioneers of the Royal Navy...
Tuesday 5th August & Thursday 7th August The creation of an ‘Army-by-Sea’ and the desire to beat the French was an essential quality for Henry VIII and his admirals. Men like Lords Edward and...
Tuesday 12th & Thursday 14th August Watched by 60 million people around the world, the raising of the Mary Rose in 1982 was a pioneering feat of engineering. Margaret Rule was the archaeologist...
Tuesday 12th & Thursday 14th August Watched by 60 million people around the world, the raising of the Mary Rose in 1982 was a pioneering feat of engineering. Margaret Rule was the archaeologist...
Follow the Boom to find the Audio Assault Buggy. Get your nose tested, electrocute your family and try out strange and noisy instruments. Pioneers are brave thinkers who try new things and solve...
Tuesday 12th & Thursday 14th August Watched by 60 million people around the world, the raising of the Mary Rose in 1982 was a pioneering feat of engineering. Margaret Rule was the archaeologist...
Wednesday 20th & Friday 22nd August Our last pioneer is the inspiring Alexander McKee, who had the curiosity and drive to spend his free time researching and diving, and convincing others to...
Zoolab’s Ocean Pioneers invites families on a hands-on adventure, getting up close with snakes, spiders, snails, and more. Spark your curiosity as we dive into the fascinating world of sea life and...
Wednesday 20th & Friday 22nd August Our last pioneer is the inspiring Alexander McKee, who had the curiosity and drive to spend his free time researching and diving, and convincing others to...
Week 1: Teamwork
Wednesday 30 July – Friday 1 August
Teamwork is what made the Pioneers of the Royal Navy unstoppable. They knew that the best ideas were built together, because when it comes to innovation, no one sails solo. Visit the Mary Rose Musuem and learn how to work together to load and fire a replica Tudor gun, then shoot a volley of arrows with have-a-go archery! Next, work with other visitors to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, use your imagination, and help build a giant nautical map out of LEGO bricks.
Week 1: Teamwork
Wednesday 30 July – Friday 1 August
Teamwork is what made the Pioneers of the Royal Navy unstoppable. They knew that the best ideas were built together, because when it comes to innovation, no one sails solo. Visit the Mary Rose Musuem and learn how to work together to load and fire a replica Tudor gun, then shoot a volley of arrows with have-a-go archery! Next, work with other visitors to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, use your imagination, and help build a giant nautical map out of LEGO bricks.
Week 2: Creativity
5, 7 & 8 August
Pioneers of the Royal Navy needed ingenuity, imagination and originality to flourish. Step on board the Tech Truck outside Victory Gallery and explore the world through AR & VR headsets, 3D printing and robotics. At the Mary Rose, use your creativity to become part of Henry’s VIII’s fighting force and design your own family flag to fly from your flagship. Use pictures, stickers, and heraldic symbols to show off your own pioneering qualities!
Week 2: Creativity
5, 7 & 8 August
Pioneers of the Royal Navy needed ingenuity, imagination and originality to flourish. Step on board the Tech Truck outside Victory Gallery and explore the world through AR & VR headsets, 3D printing and robotics. At the Mary Rose, use your creativity to become part of Henry’s VIII’s fighting force and design your own family flag to fly from your flagship. Use pictures, stickers, and heraldic symbols to show off your own pioneering qualities!
Week 3: Innovation
12, 14 & 15 August
Pioneers are brave thinkers who try new things and solve tricky problems in clever ways. Margaret Rule was the archaeologist who masterminded the excavation of the Mary Rose in 1982. Can you follow in her footsteps and raise a priceless treasure from the seabed, using a machine of your own design in the Mary Rose Learning Centre? After that, join the roaming Noise Technician in the National Museum of the Royal Navy Galleries, where the echoes of naval history meet the sounds of the future. The Royal Navy knows the power of sound – from ship horns to sonar. Now it’s your turn to take command!
Week 3: Innovation
12, 14 & 15 August
Pioneers are brave thinkers who try new things and solve tricky problems in clever ways. Margaret Rule was the archaeologist who masterminded the excavation of the Mary Rose in 1982. Can you follow in her footsteps and raise a priceless treasure from the seabed, using a machine of your own design in the Mary Rose Learning Centre? After that, join the roaming Noise Technician in the National Museum of the Royal Navy Galleries, where the echoes of naval history meet the sounds of the future. The Royal Navy knows the power of sound – from ship horns to sonar. Now it’s your turn to take command!
Week 4: Curiosity
Wednesday 10 August – Friday 22 August
The Pioneers of the Royal Navy were driven by curiosity. Constantly asking questions, testing new ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what was possible at sea. Discover your sense of curiosity and experience Zoolab’s open sessions, where families can enjoy close encounters with a variety of fascinating animals. Make your way to the Mary Rose Learning Centre and explore the past by digging up mystery objects, examining the evidence and discovering who the crew of the Mary Rose really were!
Week 4: Curiosity
Wednesday 10 August – Friday 22 August
The Pioneers of the Royal Navy were driven by curiosity. Constantly asking questions, testing new ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what was possible at sea. Discover your sense of curiosity and experience Zoolab’s open sessions, where families can enjoy close encounters with a variety of fascinating animals. Make your way to the Mary Rose Learning Centre and explore the past by digging up mystery objects, examining the evidence and discovering who the crew of the Mary Rose really were!
Don’t miss the grand finale of summer, our Pioneer Discovery Days!
Join us for a celebration of teamwork, creativity, and curiosity on Thursday 28 – Friday 29 August. This family-friendly event invites all ages to explore the pioneering spirit behind naval history and innovation.
Get hands-on with shipbuilding races, maritime codebreaking, and early navigation tools. Creative zones will inspire young minds to design naval inventions, while storytelling and live re-enactments bring history to life. Enjoy doodling with Seekers Create, dancing with Funk Format (Tudor brawls and naval hornpipes with a twist!), and many more fun activities.
Come aboard for a voyage of imagination, collaboration, and discovery at the Dockyard this summer.
Looking for ways to keep everyone entertained over the break?
Our summer blogs have all the tips and tricks to get the best out of the break this year – rain or shine!
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...
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a treasure trove of adventure for all ages, not forgetting our younger visitors! Offering the perfect blend of history, hands-on play areas and...
Beat the heat with a sweet or savoury treat and refuel before more epic ship!
All that exploring is bound to work up an appetite—but we’ve got just the thing. Whether you’re craving a cool drink, a light bite, or an indulgent treat, our cafés are the perfect place to take a sunny break. And don’t forget to swing by our gift shops before you head off. Pick up the perfect summer souvenir to remember your adventure together.
Take on a year of adventure with an Ultimate Explorer ticket.
Our best value ticket have the flexibility of unlimited visits for an entire year, perfect for coming back to see all the museums, attractions, and more. With attractions, plus our handy waterbus to get you to our Gosport locations, a single ticket gives a lifetime of memories.
