National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO1 3NH
England
Website
enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk
For Naval Ancestory enquiries
Group Bookings and enquiries
Telephone
General Enquiries
02392 839766
Museum Switchboard
02392 727562
The National Museum of the Royal Navy, in Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, is one of Britain’s oldest maritime museums. The Museum’s mission is to preserve and present the history of the 'Fleet' - the ships and the men and women who manned them. The National Museum of the Royal Navy is one of the world’s leading maritime museums. Dates, images and artefacts tell us about events. The real drama is in the experiences of the men and women who were there. The funeral barge that brought Nelson’s body up the Thames after Trafalgar reminds visitors that he was human. So were the men who served under him in the harsh days of sail – and the slaves in the trade the Royal Navy helped to abolish. Explorers can hear their stories and enter their world where the past is closer than they think.
Venue Type:
Museum, Heritage site, Ship or maritime heritage site
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 National Museum of the Royal Navy. Please call 02392 839766 for further information.
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.
Conference facilities are available.
Collection details
Archaeology, Archives, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Land Transport, Maritime, Personalities, Photography, Social History, Weapons and War
Racing to War: The Royal Navy and 1914
- 3 April — 31 December 2014 *on now
The National Museum of the Royal Navy's new major temporary exhibition devoted to the outbreak of the WW1.
The exhibition charts Britain’s naval history from its triumph in the Anglo-German naval arms race – one of the several intertwined causes of the outbreak of the WW1, illustratiDevoted entirely to the First World War, the collection will reveal for the first-time unknown stories from the Royal Navy in the lead-up to the outbreak, with unique objects and art specifically curated for the exhibition, such as Lieutenant Vere Sidney Harmsworth’s sword that he used in combat. It will chart Britain’s naval history from its triumph in the Anglo-German naval arms race - one of the several intertwined causes of the outbreak of the WWI, to illustrating how the Royal Navy was instrumental in the building of the Grand Fleet. The exhibition will also address influential personalities such as Admiral Sir John Fisher, who transformed the Navy of the Victorian age into a military machine capable of maintaining Britain’s naval supremacy in the First World War. He is considered one of the most important figures in British Naval history.
A rare collection of twentieth century paintings, many on display for the first time, will depict scenes of the Royal Navy in battle and the aftermath of fierce fighting at sea – including ‘The Wounded Lion’ by artist William Wyllie, as well as propaganda posters such as ‘Remember Scarborough’
ng how the Royal Navy was instrumental in the building of the Grand Fleet, to looking at influential personalities such as Sir John Fisher (First Sea Lord and considered one of the most important figures in British Naval history).
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Adult £18.00, Child £15.00 for one year's unlimited entry
Website
http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/index.htm
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