Portsmouth Ferries

Portsmouth Historic dockyard is well wirth a visit with the family. The world’s oldest dry dock is still in use to many famous ships. The first thing you notice as you approach the yard are the tall ships of the HMS Warrior, launched in 1860, the first iron hulled ocean-going armoured battleship powered by steam as well as sail. The HMS Victory, this was Lord Nelson’s flag ship which fought in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and defeated the larger Franco-Spanish fleet

You will also find the Mary Rose, the only surviving 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world, the Mary Rose was one of the earliest ships to carry heavy guns. She sank off Portsmouth during an engagement with a French invasion fleet in 1545 and was lost for many years. The rediscovery of the Mary Rose during the 1970s and her raising in 1982 was watched by a worldwide audience of over 60 million people.

The Royal Navy’s West Africa Squadron operated from Portsmouth, established in 1808 after the passing of the Slave Trade Act in 1807. This unit of the Royal Navy that was involved in the suppression of the slave trade in West Africa. The West Africa Squadron was credited with capturing 1,600 slave ships between 1808 and 1860 and freeing 150,000 Africans who were aboard these ships.

Portsmouth is still the home of the modern Royal Navy. Britain’s three aircraft carriers, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious and HMS Invincible are based here, as well as a fleet of destroyers, frigates, mine warfare ships and offshore patrol vessels.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomes all visitors. The site is a working Naval Base and certain areas may present difficulties to visitors who use wheelchairs, with a restricted mobility or who are visually impaired. Wheelchairs are available free of charge from the Visitor Centre, Mary Rose, HMS Warrior 1860 and Royal Naval Museum.