The arrival of Spring marks the start of longer days, less rain and improving weather, but it can be hard to keep young ones entertained while out and about. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has the perfect solution, read on for some of the exciting Spring-time activities at the museum, featuring everything from a trip around Portsmouth Harbour to Second World War submarines.Â
[Editor’s note: All of the entries in this list are included with our Ultimate Explorer ticket, which guarantees unlimited access to all our attractions for 12 months. We also have full calendar of free* and special ticketed events throughout the year that you can see on our ‘What’s On’ page]Â
*Free with a valid ticket to the hosting attraction
1. Enjoy a Harbour Tour
There’s nothing better than getting out on the water as the weather gets warmer. The Harbour Tour offers the chance to cruise around the harbour and get up close and personal with the Royal Navy ships that call Portsmouth home. Young visitors will enjoy playing captain, while spotting the sights around Portsmouth harbour, from sailing boats to warships, and make sure you wave at the passing cruise ships! We know not everyone’s an expert on the Royal Navy, so the tour’s captain is on hand to point out important ships and showcase the fascinating history of the harbour. The best part? It’s included for free on the Ultimate Explorer ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.Â
*check running times before you visit Â
2. Take the waterbus to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum or Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
From April the Waterbus runs daily (in line with Gosport site opening hours), offering a fast and convenient way to get out on the water and enjoy our two Gosport museums. Here the Royal Navy Submarine Museum will let you experience life in the Submarine Service. Dress up as a member of the Submarine Service, learn all about morse code, and discover historic submarines. HMS Alliance is available to explore for a full experience of life under the sea, while HMS X-24 is in two halves allowing you to peer inside this midget submarine. While Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower introduces you to the work of munitions workers at Priddy’s Hard. Young visitors will enjoy opening their lockers and hearing all about the men and women who took on this dangerous job.Â
*check running times before you visit Â
2. Take the waterbus to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum or Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
From April the Waterbus runs daily (in line with Gosport site opening hours), offering a fast and convenient way to get out on the water and enjoy our two Gosport museums. Here the Royal Navy Submarine Museum will let you experience life in the Submarine Service. Dress up as a member of the Submarine Service, learn all about morse code, and discover historic submarines. HMS Alliance is available to explore for a full experience of life under the sea, while HMS X-24 is in two halves allowing you to peer inside this midget submarine. While Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower introduces you to the work of munitions workers at Priddy’s Hard. Young visitors will enjoy opening their lockers and hearing all about the men and women who took on this dangerous job.Â
*check running times before you visit Â
3. Experience HMS Warrior
Experience a taste of life in the Victorian Royal Navy onboard HMS Warrior with our costumed interpreters. The crew onboard are ready to welcome you, and introduce you to life onboard, while answering any questions you may have about the ship, the Victorian Navy, or their role on Warrior. The whole of Warrior is open for visitors to explore.Â
Discover the engine room and see the complex system of boilers that kept this steam giant running, hear the crew above you on the gun deck playing cards waiting for the next set of visitors, and touch the huge wheels used to steer this over 9000 tonne ship. Then, weather permitting, climb up the bridge and spot for threats, although you’re far more likely to capture brilliant views of Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth Harbour. Â
4. Have a packed lunch in Porter’s Garden
Porter’s Garden offers an excellent outdoor location to enjoy a packed lunch in the sun. Just turn right after entering the museum, past the statue of legendary explorer Scott of the Antarctic. These gardens are maintained by diligent volunteers using plants commonly found in the 18th century, as a reminder of the original Porter’s Garden established in 1708.
Forgotten your packed lunch? The cafés at the museum offer a wide range of sandwiches, drinks and more.Â
4. Have a packed lunch in Porter’s Garden
Porter’s Garden offers an excellent outdoor location to enjoy a packed lunch in the sun. Just turn right after entering the museum, past the statue of legendary explorer Scott of the Antarctic. These gardens are maintained by diligent volunteers using plants commonly found in the 18th century, as a reminder of the original Porter’s Garden established in 1708.
Forgotten your packed lunch? The cafés at the museum offer a wide range of sandwiches, drinks and more.Â
5. Take part in the interactive activities in the National Museum of the Royal Navy Galleries
The galleries of the National Museum of the Royal Navy have plenty of hands-on activities for young visitors to experience life in the Royal Navy and the many skills it takes. Learn all about sonar and differentiate between what could be a deadly torpedo, or a friendly whale.Â
Another interactive will help you learn morse code, a vital form of communication used in the Second World War. Get trained in what each combination of dots and dashes means and use a machine to signal out a message to your family. Being in the Royal Navy isn’t just a job for many, it’s a community! Learn all about ‘jackspeak’ the unique language of the Royal Navy. The toilets are the heads, the floor of a ship is the deck, and don’t forget the difference between port and starboard!Â
5. Take part in the interactive activities in the National Museum of the Royal Navy Galleries
The galleries of the National Museum of the Royal Navy have plenty of hands-on activities for young visitors to experience life in the Royal Navy and the many skills it takes. Learn all about sonar and differentiate between what could be a deadly torpedo, or a friendly whale.Â
Another interactive will help you learn morse code, a vital form of communication used in the Second World War. Get trained in what each combination of dots and dashes means and use a machine to signal out a message to your family. Being in the Royal Navy isn’t just a job for many, it’s a community! Learn all about ‘jackspeak’ the unique language of the Royal Navy. The toilets are the heads, the floor of a ship is the deck, and don’t forget the difference between port and starboard!Â
6. Get closer than ever before to the raising of the Mary RoseÂ
If the weather doesn’t hold out the Mary Rose is a brilliant visit come rain or shine, especially with the museum’s 4D immersive experience, which brings the story of this Tudor warship to the modern age. Visitors will be transported to the Solent where divers uncovered this legendary ship, and helped it return to the surface for the first time in 437 years.
Many people saw the raising on television in 1982, this experience brings it even closer to those who were too young to see it the first time. The rest of the museum allows for panoramic views of the hull of this incredible ship, the chance to dive into the lives of her crew, and see artefacts recovered from the wreck. Updated especially for Easter the Hatch Trail will lead young visitors around the museum, showcasing the sights, sounds and smells of the Mary Rose, with authentic Tudor replicas, 16th century aromas and Tudor weaponry.Â
6. Get closer than ever before to the raising of the Mary RoseÂ
If the weather doesn’t hold out the Mary Rose is a brilliant visit come rain or shine, especially with the museum’s 4D immersive experience, which brings the story of this Tudor warship to the modern age. Visitors will be transported to the Solent where divers uncovered this legendary ship, and helped it return to the surface for the first time in 437 years.
Many people saw the raising on television in 1982, this experience brings it even closer to those who were too young to see it the first time. The rest of the museum allows for panoramic views of the hull of this incredible ship, the chance to dive into the lives of her crew, and see artefacts recovered from the wreck. Updated especially for Easter the Hatch Trail will lead young visitors around the museum, showcasing the sights, sounds and smells of the Mary Rose, with authentic Tudor replicas, 16th century aromas and Tudor weaponry.Â
For advice on other great attractions if the weather starts to turn, look no further than our blog on the top 7 things to do on a rainy day at the dockyard. Â
An Ultimate Explorer ticket gives unlimited year-round access to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including historic ships, ground-breaking conservation and exciting exhibits. This ticket also includes access to seasonal events throughout the year, access to the waterbus to travel to our Gosport museums and the Harbour Tour experience.Â
