HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

The world’s oldest commissioned warship, HMS Victory, still has a full-time Royal Navy crew today. She is now the flagship of the Second Sea Lord and Commander in Chief Naval Home Command and lies in No 2 Dry Dock at Portsmouth Naval Base, Portsmouth, England.
But as you walk between her historic decks, and see the hammocks slung between the cannons, and tables set for a meal of maggot-ridden bread, visitors will sense the men who sailed and died with Nelson. And that they’ll be back at any moment…

Additional info

ACCESSIBILITY:
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomes all visitors. The site is, however, a working Naval Base and certain areas may present difficulties to visitors who use wheelchairs, with a restricted mobility or who are visually impaired. As a safety precaution, we ask that all these visitors are accompanied by a carer. Toilets for disabled visitors can be found in the Historic Dockyard Coach and Car Park, Boathouse No.7, Victory Arena and the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Wheelchairs are available free of charge from the Visitor Centre, Mary Rose, HMS Warrior 1860 and the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Please call 02392 839766 for further information.

The HMS Victory tour involves climbing several flights of fairly steep ladders. A video tour is provided on the Lower Gundeck for visitors who use wheelchairs or those who are unable to walk around the ship. Please ask at the Visitor Centre for the video tour. To reach the ship, follow the Special Access Route to the Victory Arena then proceed around the FRONT of the ship (keeping the ship on your left). Please ask a member of staff at the bottom of the gangway who will be able to provide assistance up the ramp if required.

EDUCATION: A visit to HMS VICTORY and the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL NAVY includes a 40 minute guided tour of the ship conducted by professional guides, followed by a visit to the Tafalgar Experience and the extensive galleries of the museum. For planning purposes allow at least two hours for your tour and museum visit (Self-guided tours will operate in peak periods. Please contact 02392 839766 for further details). During the guided tour your group will be able to find out about Admiral Lord Nelson, the Battle of Trafalgar, gun drills, life on board the ship, food and discipline and the social conditions of the Georgian Navy.

There are regular lecture events, activity days and a special programme for Key Stage 1 children, titled 'Sailor's Home'. This programme encourages children to interact with HMS VICTORY, and through the handling of replica objects, find out about some of the people who lived and worked onboard the ship and of Nelson as a significant individual.