Boathouse 4 Event – Open Pontoon (June 2026)

About

Pontoon Open Weekend – 13 & 14 June
Boathouse 4, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Join us for a Pontoon Open Weekend at Portsmouth Historic Quarter and explore a unique collection of historic vessels up close. Set within the heart of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, this is a great opportunity to step aboard working heritage boats, meet knowledgeable volunteers, and discover the stories behind them.

Visitors can enjoy free access to the pontoon and selected vessels, with plenty to see and do throughout the day. For those looking to experience the harbour from the water, a range of historic boat trips are available to book.

Boat Trips:

High Speed Launch 102 – £65 per person (45-minute experience)
Motor Gun Boat 81 – £130 per person (1-hour experience)
Landing Craft F8 – £12 per adult, £6 per child (ages 5–15), Family ticket £30 (2 adults + 2 children, 30-minute experience)

Trip times:

Landing Craft F8: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

Booking:
Advance booking recommended (limited availability on the day).

Entry:
Free entry to the site, Boathouse 4 and pontoon with a Historic Quarter Pass, available from the Visitor Centre.

Opening times:
10:00am – 4:30pm

Location:
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ

Make a day of it by exploring Boathouse 4, home to traditional boatbuilding, free exhibitions including the SHE_SEES photography exhibition, family-friendly activities, and the Boathouse 4 Kitchen offering food and harbour views.

A perfect day out for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience Portsmouth's maritime heritage from land and water.