Portsmouth
of historic ships, castles, forts and museums make it the perfect place to explore the history of this sea-faring nation, and there is nowhere better to start than the National Museum of the Royal Navy, 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. Visitors can hear their stories and enter their world, learning history in fun ways with costumed interpreters, games, dressing-up, crafts, trails and talks. There’s space for children to explore, including indoor attractions to cater for that ever- changing British weather!
Those with more serious interest have ample opportunities to discover more and expert guides are on hand to help.
At Action Stations, taking off in a helicopter and flying Royal Marines into battle is something never to forget. In fact, you may find it hard to remember it’s just a full-size simulation – one of dozens of hands-on activities providing a taste of life in today’s Royal Navy.
Every man who went to the bottom of the Solent in the Mary Rose was a husband, father or son. The museum’s extraordinary collection of their personal, domestic and military equipment gives this famous maritime disaster a uniquely human dimension and poignancy, brought to life by the famed costumed interpreters. The hull of the Mary Rose is currently withdrawn from public view as part of a £35 million heritage project due to open in autumn 2012.
At the height of the spice trade, when its wharves and stores were thick with the aroma of exotic spices from the East, Old Portsmouth (named then ‘Spice Island’) was a place of dread and danger. Throughout Europe it was infamous for its hundreds of pubs and brothels.
To defend the entrance to the Portsmouth Harbour, Henry V, around 1417, ordered the building of the Round Tower. The Square Tower dates from the time of Henry VII, and was originally the official residence of the town’s military governor. It later became Portsmouth’s main powder magazine and in 1642, during the civil war, Governor Goring, who was loyal to the king, surrendered Portsmouth to Commonwealth troops. In order to defend the five-thousand barrels of gunpowder stored inside he hurled the keys into the sea.
Both Towers have become the traditional points for farewells as warships and merchantmen ease through the narrow harbour entrance. The Round Tower is such a popular vantage point that a viewfinder has been installed to help visitors identify landmarks.
Home to the British Royal Navy for more than 500 years, Portsmouth’s mix
The world’s oldest commissioned warship, HMS Victory, entered history books in 1805 by spearheading the crushing defeat at the Battle of Trafalgar and still has a full-time Royal Navy crew today. But as you walk between her historic decks, 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…
As a Victorian, visitors would see HMS Warrior 1860 in the same way future generations would regard the Saturn V rocket, Concorde and the internet. The world’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship powered by steam as well as sail, the ‘Black Snake’ changed the maritime world forever. Yet 10 years later, she was obsolete. Proof that history really does repeat itself.
A 45-minute Harbour Tour (subject to weather conditions & availability) brings visitors up close and personal with modern Royal Navy warships and shows why Portsmouth remains one of the world’s most important harbours.
Much-needed refreshment is available in Costa Coffee, Boathouse 7 or the Georgian Tearooms and shops include national retailer Nauticalia, museum shops and Antiques Storehouse. Picnic areas are also available.
For more information please visit
www.historicdockyard.co.uk.
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The Tourist Handbook Wessex 2011
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