Rare naval treasures on show for a short time only at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

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This summer, visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard can see Royal Navy Museums: HMS Victory like never before, with rare objects, new views and hands-on activity available for a limited time only.

As part of HMS Victory: The Big Repair, the £42m conservation project caring for Nelson's flagship, new viewing platforms will open in July, giving visitors a closer look at the ship's inner workings and the specialist skills used to preserve her. It is a rare chance to see conservation in action during a once-in-a-generation phase of the project.

From 4 July to 30 September 2026, Royal Navy Museums: HMS Victory's Trafalgar Sail will also go back on display. The huge, battle-damaged sail is one of the largest surviving objects from the Battle of Trafalgar, marked by the stains, holes and damage that tell the story of Victory and the crew who fought on board.

For six Wednesdays only, visitors will also have the rare chance to see Nelson's silver tableware displayed inside HMS Victory's Great Cabin. The scene will be set as if Nelson has just stepped out before dinner, with his steward preparing the table and sharing the stories behind the man, the myth and the fame.

The silver will be on display every Wednesday from 22 July to 26 August, from 10am to 5pm.

From 27 to 31 July, visitors can drop into Meet the Makers, a week of hands-on sessions revealing the traditional skills and conservation work helping to preserve HMS Victory today. Activities will include carving, sailmaking, sign painting, gilding, rope work and conservation science.

At the Mary Rose Museum, visitors can get closer to the people, objects and stories of the Tudor warship through a programme of special summer activities. They can create their own Cowdray artwork using a specially designed pack and, on 28 July and 25 August, join Artist in Residence Laurence Wen-Yu Li to learn how to weave Tudor-style ribbons and cord.

The programme brings together rare objects and living skills across the Dockyard, from the battle-damaged Trafalgar Sail to Nelson's silver laid out in the Great Cabin, and from the restoration of HMS Victory to the stories of the Mary Rose.

Many of these experiences will only be available for a short time and visitors are encouraged to book ahead and see the programme before it ends.

Activities are included with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard all attraction tickets, giving visitors access to a full day out across the site.