Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with kids - the ultimate family guide!

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If you’re on the hunt for a fun, educational and immersive family day out with the kids then look no further than Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Nestled in the naval heart of Portsmouth, Hampshire, this treasure trove of maritime history is a brilliant place to explore – with interactive exhibits, real-life battleships, boat rides, a 4D cinema and even actors to help set the scene. It’s ideal for all weathers and perfect for packing a picnic too, but there is A LOT to see and do – so keep reading for my family-friendly itinerary and guide, to help you to make the most of your day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with the kids.

Visit: May 2025

What is Portsmouth Historic Dockyard?

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a maritime museum complex that houses some of the most iconic ships in British naval history, including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose Museum. Visitors can explore historic vessels, interactive exhibits and engaging displays that bring naval history to life. It’s an ideal destination for families seeking both fun and learning – honestly if you’ve got kids around age 8 and up it’s such a fascinating place to visit. There’s also so much to see and do that it’s hard to even fit it into a day – so you can definitely visit again to get your money’s worth!

Where is Portsmouth Historic Dockyard located and what time does it open?

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard sits right on the seafront in Portsmouth at Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, PO1 3LJ. It’s really easy to find and well signposted, especially if you’re coming by train or parking nearby. Current opening times are 10am to 5pm, but check for seasonal changes. It’s also worth noting the opening and closing times for specific attractions, as well as the boat times for the harbour bus and tour, so that you can map out your day accordingly when you arrive.

Where is the best place to park near Portsmouth Historic Dockyard?

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has its own underground car park – Historic Dockyard Car Park on Admiralty Road (PO1 3GW). Unfortunately it does come with an extra charge, but you pay dependent on how long your stay is – for our visit parking was £7.50. From the car park it’s just a few minutes walk to the dockyard (sign posted) but you can also park a 5-10 minute walk away at Gunwharf Quays (with shops and restaurants overlooking the water) if the dedicated car park for the dockyard is full.

Visiting with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with kids – what is there to see and do?

The Dockyard is a treasure trove for young explorers. Children can climb aboard historic ships like HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, engage with interactive exhibits and even experience a harbour tour to see modern Royal Navy vessels up close. The Mary Rose Museum offers hands-on displays that captivate young minds, and there are even actors dressed up and in character to make the visit really immersive. The other staff on board the ships are also hugely knowledgable and everyone was so friendly when we visited – we absolutely loved our day. Because there’s so much to see and do, I’ve put together a guide to help you to plan your day – these are the best bits that’ll you’ll definitely want on your dockyard itinerary:

Start your day aboard the HMS Warrior

Once you get through the main entrance into Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the first thing that will capture your attention is the huge HMS Warrior Ship straight ahead. This is the perfect place to start your day – and it was a favourite for Finn and Lola who thoroughly enjoyed exploring the ship and engaging with the staff and actors on board. For my kids, our time on the HMS Warrior was their favourite part of our day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Launched in 1860, HMS Warrior was the Royal Navy’s first iron-hulled armoured warship, representing a significant leap in naval technology. Today, she serves as a floating museum, offering families an immersive glimpse into maritime history. At the time of her launch, the HMS Warrior was the largest, fastest and most powerful ship of her kind. Combining steam power with traditional sails, she could reach speeds up to 17.5 knots. Her iron hull and formidable armament made her a symbol of British naval supremacy during Queen Victoria’s reign – although she never saw a battle.

You’ll likely want to allow about 1-2 hours to explore the HMS warrior. There are many decks to explore, with lots of rooms set up how they would have been, and the kids can even dress up in the clothing too – though my two weren’t up for that! 😂 Make sure you head to the coal room whilst you’re on the HMS Warrior – honestly the staff at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are all fantastic, but the actor in the engine room really did keep the kids entertained. He didn’t break character at all and they both were both absolutely fascinated by his stories.

We also bumped into some other friendly and very knowledgable staff members along our HMS Warrior adventure, and I was shocked by how interested the kids were in all of their tales. I think actually hearing about life on board really brings the ship to life and if you’re only planning to visit one ship at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard then the HMS Warrior is definitely the one to explore with the kids.

Next head to the Mary Rose Museum

Next, head further around the dock to the Mary Rose Museum – you’ll pass the HMS Victory on the way (which is really cool to view from the outside in particular) so have a good look and then continue on around it to the far side. The Mary Rose Museum is really engaging and it definitely held Finn and Lola’s attention. From the minute you enter, you walk into a room with projections on the walls and Henry VIII introducing the ship and the events that followed.

The walls become the sides of the ship and from the windows you’ll see the battle occurring, and then finally the water flooding in as the ship begins to sink. The Mary Rose was King Henry VIII’s flagship, launched in 1511. After 34 years of service, she tragically sank in 1545 during a battle in the Solent, just off the coast of Portsmouth. Her remains were rediscovered 400 years later and raised in 1982, marking one of the most significant maritime archaeological finds in history.

The ship is kept in a large air locked space – this can be viewed from different heights through windows as you wander the museum, and from the top viewing platform you can enter the air locked area to view it without the glass in front of you. Once you’re inside, videos appear projected onto the ship to show what people would have been doing throughout the ship – once again capturing the kids’ imaginations.

There are lots of interactive areas within the Mary Rose Museum – with video screens that the kids can click on for more information, games, crayons / paper for hunting out symbols on the artefacts, ‘sniff test’ pots and all sorts. Again, I think you’ll want at least an hour exploring, and allow for a longer visit if you’d like to watch the screening in the 4D cinema on the top floor too. (My son can’t see in 3D, so we gave the cinema bit a miss, but it did look good!)

Have a picnic lunch

Now is the perfect time to take a break from history and enjoy a picnic lunch – as there are lots of picnic tables just outside of the Mary Rose Museum, as well as toilets and a cafe too. There’s also a large restaurant on the site, back towards the entrance, if you’d prefer to eat there. But, to save money, it’s definitely worth packing a picnic and some snacks – you’re welcome to bring your own food to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and it’ll mean that you won’t need to spend a penny beyond tickets and parking.

Step aboard the HMS Victory

After lunch, head across to the HMS Victory – the legendary flagship of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson – and immerse yourself in a pivotal chapter of British naval history. Launched in 1765, HMS Victory is renowned for her role in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where she led the British fleet to a decisive victory against the combined French and Spanish navies. Tragically, it was also during this battle that Lord Nelson was mortally wounded. Today, HMS Victory stands as the world’s oldest naval ship still in commission.

Each deck gets smaller and smaller in height as you move down through the layers – so the kids found that very amusing – and I think it’s the first time in my life I’ve ever felt tall! 😂 By the time you reach the bottom of the ship the ceiling height is just 5ft so my giant husband was basically on his knees!

Again, the ship has artefacts and areas set up to demonstrate what it would have been like back when it was in operation. And, you can also see the full scale of the height of the ship on this one, as it’s not on water so you can actually walk underneath the boat and view the whole height of it from the outside too.

I would say that the HMS Victory is less immersive than the other attractions we visited at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, but the deck heights kept the kids amused and you can also make use of an audio tour on board too. This is included free with the tickets, and you can pick up one of the audio guides when you enter the ship. Then scan the information points as you move around – Lola found the guide really interesting. I think you’ll probably only need an hour on the HMS Victory, particularly as it’s hard to stand up by the end! 😂

Head out to sea with the Harbour Tour

If you’ve got the Ultimate Explorer Ticket for the Historic Dockyard then tickets for the boat tour around the harbour are included. This is a 45 minute trip (they ran every hour during our visit, at quarter past the hour) and it takes you past ships both old and new. There are lots of serving military ships in the harbour so this gets you closer to those, as well as other parts of the harbour, and there’s a guided tour from the driver.

You can sit outside if the weather allows – it was actually really refreshing after being squashed on a 5ft deck under the HMS Victory! 😂 Though there are plenty of seats on the bottom deck inside the boat too if you’re visiting out of season or on a rainy day. Though it’s nice to be able to enjoy the outside of the ships too – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is actually a pretty good option for entertaining the kids on a rainy day as you’ll spend the majority of the time inside the ships anyway.

I’ve left the boat tour for the end of the day because, though it does a round trip back to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, you can also hop off at Gunwharf Quays. We opted to alight from there as there are lots of places to eat and by this point we were all starving! From there, you can walk back to the Dockyard Car Park in around 5-10 minutes so if you want to get off it’s easy to do so.

For a different watery adventure, if you still want to immerse yourself in even more history, you can also hop on the water bus. This will take you to two further museums – the Explosive Museum and the Submarine Museum. We were hoping to see those as well but it’s a huge amount to pack into one day. I think, if you’ve only got one day at the dockyard, you’ll likely need to choose between hopping on the water bus or taking the harbour tour. If you’ve got the time, using your return tickets is a great option as you could save these adventures for another day. There were also other exhibitions and attractions that we didn’t even set foot in so there’s certainly enough to fill a few days if you are history mad and want the full experience!

Which are the best ticket options for visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with kids?

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a really big site and it’s easy to spend a few hours exploring each ship and museum. There are different ticket options so you can actually opt just to see just one ship with a day pass, three attractions with a 12 month pass, or you can get a ticket which offers 12 months access to all of the attractions (plus the boat rides are included with this ticket too). Personally, I think the Ultimate Explorer Ticket is likely the best option as it offers the best value for money. There are also reduced priced family-tickets, though the best way to save money is to use the kids Blue Peter Badges – with those the kids can enter Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for free when an adult purchases an Ultimate Explorer ticket. (Make sure you check for any terms and conditions.)

They offer lots of other discounts too including things like: 30% off with a Blue Light Card, free entry for UK Serving Personnel and discounts for locals – so check their website to see if any apply to you before you book. And, although the tickets are pricey, we did feel like there was a lot on offer when it comes to value for money. Not only that, but the 12 month passes mean that you can have as many visits as you like – which is also handy since it’s an awful lot to fit into just one day. We were amazed at how much there was to see and do, the enthusiasm of the staff and how engaging it was for the kids – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers a really immersive experience.

The ‘Love to Visit’ website is a great place to find discounts for popular UK attractions – including Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – so check there for reduced tickets too. Here are the current ticket options and prices (accurate May 2025) directly from the Portsmouth Dockyard website:

Where are the best places to eat whilst visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard?

As I mentioned above, there are picnic spots so if you’re wanting to save some money (particularly as the tickets are pricey) it’s best to bring your own food and drink. Having said that, if you’d prefer not to, the Boathouse 4 restaurant offers more substantial sit-down meals, while the Midships Café is great for lighter bites and a warm cuppa. With Gunwarf Quays just down the road too, eating off-site is also an option and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.

What facilities are there and who is Portsmouth Dockyard suitable for?

The Dockyard is equipped with facilities to accommodate families, including baby changing stations and accessible pathways for buggies and wheelchairs where possible. Having said that, the ships themselves have steep stairs so you’d need a baby carrier with little ones if you want to explore freely, and I think I would avoid bringing toddlers and younger children. The dockyard is really set up to be an immersive and engaging experience for older children and adults, so I think it’s best suited to kids over the age of about 7 or 8 – unless you have a little one particularly fascinated with ships and history. Please note that, due to naval base regulations, only assistance dogs are permitted within the Dockyard premises.

Can you visit for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for free?

Children under 5 go free, which is a bonus for families with little ones. Or, if you’re just after a wander around the historic grounds, there’s also a free Historic Quarter Pass available from the Visitor Centre. This allows you to stroll Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and see the ships from outside, so this could also be a good option with little kids if they’d like get a glimpse of the ships without going inside.

What else is nearby?

For families looking to extend their day out, the nearby Spinnaker Tower offers panoramic views of Portsmouth and the D-Day Story Museum provides further historical insights. Both attractions are within walking distance and offer engaging experiences for children. The Blue Reef Aquarium down in Southsea is perfect for little ones who love sea creatures, and Clarence Pier offers traditional seaside fun with arcades, rides and candy floss. As I mentioned above, if you fancy a bit of outlet shopping or a family meal after your visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays is just a 5-minute walk from the dockyard. It’s home to shops, a cinema and loads of family-friendly restaurants.

Where’s the best place to stay with kids near Portsmouth Historic Dockyard?

Mill Rythe Holiday Park, on Hayling Island, is a great family-friendly Hampshire holiday base that’s just a 25 minute drive from the dock. And, Solent Breezes Holiday Park in Southampton is around half an hour away by car. If you’re heading to the Isle of Wight, and catching a ferry from Portsmouth, you could also pair your island holiday with a visit to the dockyard – there are loads of brilliant holiday parks on the Isle of Wight. When we visited Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we stayed in the New Forest at Sandy Balls Holiday Village (about an hour’s drive away). It was a great spot for a family holiday, with loads to do nearby, so if you fancy exploring the New Forest it’s a brilliant base – check out my review for more info.

Is Portsmouth Historic Dockyard worth visiting with kids?

My kids don’t have huge attention spans, so I was really impressed with how Portsmouth Historic Dockyard engaged them – it’s such an interesting and immersive place to visit even if you’re not history mad! We all learnt loads, without it feeling like learning which is always a win when you have kids, and there’s certainly loads on offer to fill a few days time wise. If you’ve only got one day, then definitely make the most of my itinerary to include all of the best things to see and do. Though tickets are expensive, it does offer good value for money and it’s definitely a unique day out – have fun! 😊