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Rare naval treasures on show for a short time Portsmouth Historic Dockyard summer 2026
Quote from Fergus McCarthy on July 1, 2026, 5:01 pmHMS Victory Trafalgar Sail to go on display from 4 July to 30 September 2026 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
- Rare chance to see Nelson’s silver tableware displayed inside HMS Victory’s Great Cabin: Wednesdays only, 22 July to 26 August, 10am to 5pm
- HMS Victory new viewing platforms open: mid-July 2026
- A week of hands-on sessions revealing the traditional skills and conservation work helping to preserve HMS Victory from 27 -31 July
- Programme of special summer activities at Mary Rose Museum
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, 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.
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.Activities are included with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard all attraction tickets, giving visitors access to a full day out across the site.
Key dates
HMS Victory Trafalgar Sail: 4 July to 30 September 2026
Nelson’s silver tableware: Wednesdays only, 22 July to 26 August, 10am to 5pm
Meet the Makers: 27 to 31 July, 11am to 3pmHMS Victory new viewing platforms open: mid July 2026
Mary Rose summer activity: selected dates across the summer programmeBook now: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
HMS Victory Trafalgar Sail to go on display from 4 July to 30 September 2026 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
- Rare chance to see Nelson’s silver tableware displayed inside HMS Victory’s Great Cabin: Wednesdays only, 22 July to 26 August, 10am to 5pm
- HMS Victory new viewing platforms open: mid-July 2026
- A week of hands-on sessions revealing the traditional skills and conservation work helping to preserve HMS Victory from 27 -31 July
- Programme of special summer activities at Mary Rose Museum
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, 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.
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.
Activities are included with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard all attraction tickets, giving visitors access to a full day out across the site.
Key dates
Nelson’s silver tableware: Wednesdays only, 22 July to 26 August, 10am to 5pm
Meet the Makers: 27 to 31 July, 11am to 3pm
Mary Rose summer activity: selected dates across the summer programme
Book now: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard