This October half-term, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is brimming with spooky delights for the whole family! Step into the eerie world of The Wise Woman through interactive performances’ . Celebrate Halloween with a twist in A Tudor Halloween, where history meets frightful fun. Get hands-on with Creepy Conservation Week, where you can explore how we care for creepy artefacts, and don’t miss Bugfest, where the world of bugs comes to life with a creepy-crawly twist! With a lineup of spine-tingling activities, it’s a Halloween like no other—join us and take on the Disgusting Dockyard!
Come and celebrate with us at Queen Charlotte's Tea Party Extravaganza! Join us for a royal celebration with our guest of honour – the figurehead of Queen Charlotte’s ship – as we mark the...
Life at sea in days gone by would have been far more gruesome than anything we can imagine today and, this October half-term the expert curators at the Disgusting Dockyard have pulled together a list of some of the spookiest stories and artefacts that you might never have heard of, to look out for on your next visit – if you dare!
The Figurehead of HMS Eurydice
HMS Eurydice, a ship named after a tragic love story from Greek mythology, sank due to quickly shifting weather in 1878 off the Isle of Wight, and with 300 onboard, only two survived. However, there have since been various stories of HMS Eurydice being spotted, including in 1998, when Prince Edward spotted a mysterious three-masted ship, which many believe could have been Eurydice. Today, the ship’s figurehead is on display in the Victory Gallery.
The Figurehead of HMS Eurydice
HMS Eurydice, a ship named after a tragic love story from Greek mythology, sank due to quickly shifting weather in 1878 off the Isle of Wight, and with 300 onboard, only two survived. However, there have since been various stories of HMS Eurydice being spotted, including in 1998, when Prince Edward spotted a mysterious three-masted ship, which many believe could have been Eurydice. Today, the ship’s figurehead is on display in the Victory Gallery.
Tudor Beasts from Beneath the Deep
The wreck of the Mary Rose, Henry VII’s beloved warship which sank in 1545, with up to 600 souls on board, offers visitors to the museum a glimpse of life in Tudor times in staggering detail. This includes examples of Mary Rose’s fantastic beasts, terrifying mythical creatures decorating weapons of war and defence, on many artefacts in the Mary Rose, from wyverns and a merman on the cannons, to a gryphon on a wrist guard worn by one of the bowmen onboard.
Most haunted ship: HMS Warrior
Once the pride of the Victorian navy, HMS Warrior is a 40-gun steam-powered armoured frigate and iconic Portsmouth landmark. What many don’t realise, is that the ship is also popular amongst ghost-hunters and that many believe the ship to be haunted. An employee working on the ship, claims to have been on board during the night and met the entire crew as they walked from one end of the ship to the other.
Most haunted ship: HMS Warrior
Once the pride of the Victorian navy, HMS Warrior is a 40-gun steam-powered armoured frigate and iconic Portsmouth landmark. What many don’t realise, is that the ship is also popular amongst ghost-hunters and that many believe the ship to be haunted. An employee working on the ship, claims to have been on board during the night and met the entire crew as they walked from one end of the ship to the other.
Nelson’s end: a new meaning to the word ‘pickled’
Visitors to the dockyard can explore HMS Victory, where Admiral Lord Nelson was killed by a fatal gunshot wound at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Tradition usually dictates the Navy to commit the dead to the deep after battle, but Nelson had made it clear that his body should be returned to England. The journey took 44 days, and so it was decided to place his remains in a large barrel filled with brandy to preserve them on the return journey.
Witchcraft and Superstition in Tudor Times
Visitors brave enough to take on the Disgusting Dockyard can find a range of spooky goings-on through October and November, including a journey through the shadowy and dark history of witches and wise women, healing and superstition in the 16th century. Curator and historian Hannah Matthews will uncover the fine line between medicine and witchcraft and explore what life would have been like for Tudor healers, apothecaries and wise women who were often a step away from deadly accusations of witchcraft here.
Witchcraft and Superstition in Tudor Times
Visitors brave enough to take on the Disgusting Dockyard can find a range of spooky goings-on through October and November, including a journey through the shadowy and dark history of witches and wise women, healing and superstition in the 16th century. Curator and historian Hannah Matthews will uncover the fine line between medicine and witchcraft and explore what life would have been like for Tudor healers, apothecaries and wise women who were often a step away from deadly accusations of witchcraft here.
Enjoy these spooky tales?Â
We’re running a whole series of spook-tacular facts and stories on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Be sure to check back all throughout Halloween week for new content that puts shivers in ‘shiver me timbers’.
Ultimate Explorer Tickets
Love Halloween and History? Take on a year of adventure with an Ultimate Explorer ticket. Our best value tickets have the flexibility of unlimited visits for an entire year, perfect for coming back to see all the museums, attractions, and more. With 9 attractions, plus our handy waterbus to get you to our Gosport locations, a single ticket gives a lifetime of memories.
