Dockyard 800
A multi-period medieval to modern era living history show at
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Victory Gate, H.M. Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 4LJ. Tel: 023 9283 9766.
10am to 5.30pm
Living history - displays - entertainments - lots to see and do!
Over 5,000
visitors enjoyed
a great weekend of multi-era displays and entertainments at
perhaps the world's most famous
dockyard, which first began building and
refitting ships for the English navy over 800 years ago. They experienced the sights and
sounds of naval, military and civilian life at the dockyard down the centuries
with a fantastic programme of displays and living history.
Feedback from visitors, performers and historic dockyard staff was extremely
positive, which was very gratifying. For photos, visit
www.actiontake1.com
The weekend included naval living history next to (and at intervals, on board) HMS Victory, on HMS Warrior , Monitor M33 and throughout the dockyard; thrilling firing displays of an original 1805-era 12-pounder naval cannon fired from a replica of part of HMS Victory's gun deck, and drill, musket and cannon and firing by Napoleonic riflemen and Victorian Marines. Tudor food was cooked on a replica of the Mary Rose's galley, polar explorers set up a fascinating exhibition by the statue of Scott of the Antarctic, and there was a chance to have a go at Victorian rope making. Military contingents included medieval men-at-arms, soldiers from the siege of Portsmouth in 1642, Napoleonic riflemen, allied soldiers and vehicles from D-Day 1944 and troops from the 1982 conflict in the Falklands. And you could meet King Henry VIII (who famously watched the Mary Rose sink) and his wives. Visitors hugely enjoyed two fascinating and extremely entertaining interactive displays, the first about one of Admiral Horatio Nelson's most dramatic victories, at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, and the second about the Battle of Britain. Plus static displays, family history, music song and family history talks - all in all, a brilliant day out! This continuous and varied programme of displays ran on both days. Click for information on frequently asked questions.
All the usual dockyard displays, museums, facilities, shops and catering were open as normal.
Performers
The excellent line up of historical performers included;
Medieval: The Household and Purbrook Company of bowmen.
Tudor: The Tudor Group and Farthingale
C18th: The Senior Service and History Horse
Napoleonic: Master Gunner Ltd firing a real Trafalgar-era 12 pounder naval cannon from the Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson, with replica gun deck kindly loaned by English Heritage, plus Victory Rigger , 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles, Ancient Wisdom and members of The Historical Maritime Society
Victorian: The Warrior Crew, The Fort Cumberland Guard, The Festival Players, Hands on History and Gerry Burrows
Edwardian: The Antarctic Adventurers
WWI: The Bluejackets
WWII: 43 Recce, Solent Overlord Executive, NAAFI van (Isle of Wight Austins), Portsmouth D-Day Museum, Sittingbourne Homefront Living History Society, Young & Lovelies Living History Group and US Navy Shore Patrol, with wonderful 1940s song from The Spitfires. Plus to mark Battle of Britain Day (15 September), a interactive display on both days by Ancient Wisdom.
1980s-modern: Forces 80 and Past Regiments
Plus talks and information from the Federation of Family History Societies
Living history groups and other performers interested in taking part in our events are invited to contact us for further details and click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation. WWII allied military vehicle owners (particularly naval) and civilian 40s enthusiasts were warmly invited.
Admission prices
Excellent value for money! Adult £12, Concession £10, Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) £34.
Quality historical traders were invited to book a pitch via EventPlan. Pitches were under cover so tents were not required. Camping was off-site so this or B&B accommodation was required. Please click for further details of trading opportunities at other EventPlan events.
Visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
The dockyard represents a truly amazing day out! Click
for
How to get there
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is located within Portsmouth Naval Base with entry through Victory Gate at the corner of Queen Street and the Hard.
By Road:
RAC
Route Planner or
The AA
(recommended)
The Historic Dockyard is less than 5 miles from Junction 12 of the M27. Follow
the brown Historic Waterfront signs from the M27 and join the M275 into
Portsmouth.
Parking: There are various car parks within a short walk of the dockyard.
By Coach, Bus and Rail: Portsmouth Harbour Station / Hard Interchange coach and bus station is a few minutes walk from Victory Gate.
Rail: London Waterloo Station to Portsmouth Harbour Station is only a 90 minute journey and these run frequently. There are also regular services to and from Southampton Central with links to the South West and the West country. For timetable details please use the links below.
Coaches: Coach parking-TBC . The majority of national coach services to Portsmouth stop at the Hard Interchange (adjacent to Dockyard entrance).
Bus: Many local and regional
bus services stop at the Hard Interchange (adjacent to Dockyard entrance).
Please visit
First Bus,
Stagecoach or
Solent Blue Line
bus services for the most up to date routes and timetables.
Links: National
Rail Enquiries -
South West Trains (bookings and timetables)
By Sea:
Ferry services operate from France, Spain, the Isle of Wight and Gosport on a regular basis.
Links: P&0 Portsmouth Ferries Wightlink Ferries
Open a window to see a
regional map
Download a pdf file of the
location map
If you have any further queries regarding getting to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, please telephone the Tourist Information Centre on 023 9282 6722.
A brief history of re-enactment
Interested in how and why re-enactment has become so popular in recent years? Click on the link to read a history of re-enactment.
Other events 2007
Click here for details of many other historical events organised by EventPlan during 2007.
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Updated 17 September 2007