In a nutshell
One of the largest and most famous wooden warships ever built, she became the stuff of legend at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar when Nelson was killed onboard. Since 1922 she has sat in a dry dock in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Fun facts
Approximately 6,000 trees were used to make the Victory; there were 26 miles of rigging and 104 cannons onboard.
Best thing about it?
The epic scale (227 feet long, three gun decks) combined with an equally epic history. It’s impressive enough from the dock, but once inside you are transported back in time, with an evocative smell of old timber and a real sense of how 800-plus men lived and fought in cramped conditions. Younger kids can explore the cannons and Georgian naval paraphernalia, older ones and adults get a history lesson, aided by passionate volunteers on hand who’ll regale you with tales all day long if you want.
What about lunch?
The dockyard has three picnic areas, including the historic Porter’s Garden and one next to the Victory. Onsite eateries include a tea and cake shop, restaurant serving the usual fare (fish and chips, stone-baked pizza, etc) and a Costa Coffee.
Exit through the gift shop?
There isn’t one onboard and we managed to dodge the four dotted around the dockyard.
Getting there
Train is your best bet: Portsmouth Harbour station is only 200 yards from the entrance. The car park is £1 an hour, and the city’s park-and-ride service, near the M275 exit to Portsmouth, is £4 a car.
Opening times
The dockyard opens at 10am every day, last entry to the Victory is 4.45pm April -October, and 4pm November-March.
Value for money?
With an informative half-hour guided cruise around the harbour included in the price (adult £18, child £13, family from £37.60) it’s not too expensive considering you could spend hours here. Even better value is the full-day ticket to the whole dockyard (adult from £25.60, child £18.40, family £51.60), which also includes entry to the Mary Rose plus other warships and museums, and is valid for one year, historicdockyard.co.uk
Verdict
I can’t think of a UK attraction I’ve enjoyed more, so 10/10.
