HMS Warrior lights up for Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

The rigging team at the National Museum of the Royal Navy have been up to deck the 53m (176ft) high foremast and yards of the Victorian battleship HMS Warrior with festive lights, creating one of the tallest Christmas displays on the south coast.

NOW READ: Gosport rapist put behind bars

HMS Warrior’s mast, festooned with 1,000 lights has become a favourite in the city – and a magnet for photographers.

Members of the rigging team worked aloft to bedeck the mast and yards with hundreds of LED lights, hoisted up to them by colleagues from the Shipwright team, that are set to twinkle across Portsmouth harbour until Twelfth Night.

Lead rigger Stuart Sheldon said: ‘This is a seasonal project and one that we look forward to every year because we know how magical the result is. We’ve watched the weather very carefully this year because it has been so wet and windy and then leapt into action when the opportunity arose. It’s a real team effort and the crowning glory is hoisting the 8ft high star into position.’

HMS Warrior’s Christmas lights kick off the festive season at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is open 10am until 5pm every day this December, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

This Saturday and Sunday sees Three Cheers for Christmas on HMS Warrior from 11am to 4.30pm, which is suitable for all ages and free with a valid dockyard ticket

A dockyard spokesman said: ‘Extend the festivities and get transported back to the 1860s and join in a festive immersive experience, as the crew of HMS Warrior prepares for Christmas onboard. Enjoy traditional Victorian entertainment, and meet the various members of the crew. Marvel at the Magic Lantern Show with Professor Alan Brindle, meet the ship’s cook and more, just watch out for the King of Misrule, as the youngest crew member runs Warrior for the day. Help the crew of Victorian sailors and Royal Marines decorate the gun deck and chat to them about their experiences in the Royal Navy.’

The Mary Rose, The Tudor Ladies and the Twelve Days of Christmas events will run from Wednesday, December 28 to Friday, December 30 from 11am to 4pm, giving an insight into a 16th century Christmas.