Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: half-term offers, what to do on the south coast, how to entertain kids in school holidays
Whether you want to learn everything about Henry VIII’s favourite ship, how Minecraft and HMS Victory go hand in hand, what a sailor ate and drank on his day off at sea or become the ultimate Ocean Warrior, there’s lots to do this month.
Explore the Montgomery Bonbon: Museum Mystery Trail
When: February 11-19, usual museum hours.
Where: National Museum of the Royal Navy, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, the Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Cost: Entry to this trail is free with a valid ticket to any of the above
What’s on: Fancy yourself as a detective? Grab your activity sheet, free moustache bookmark and solve puzzles with your family this half term as part of a national event celebrating the brand new book Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum.
This event has been organised by Walker Books and Kids in Museums; visit the Kids in Museums website to find how you could win a signed copy of the book and your very own detective kit.
HMS Victory: Mission Minecraft
When: February 11 and 12, and 18 and 19, from 11am to 3pm.
Where: The Learning Centre, Victory Gallery.
Cost: Free with valid ticket to Victory Gallery
What’s on: Where history meets high-tech… explore a Minecraft version of HMS Victory and try to beat the clock to save the ship using your gaming skills. Do you have what it takes to be a history hero? You can even take part in a Minecraft make and take, and go on a block hunt through the gallery.
This event is expected to be very popular, so you may need to queue to take part. This event is run in partnership with PHD Access.
A Sailor’s Story: Life on Board The Mary Rose
When: February 11 -19, usual museum hours.
Where: Mary Rose Museum
Cost: Free with a valid ticket to Mary Rose Museum
What’s on: Explore the world’s only surviving Tudor Warship – the Mary Rose – and discover fun facts and history’s hidden gems as you explore a sailor’s fascinating life on board. Where did they sleep, what did they eat, drink and do to be merry, what were the top jobs and who were lower than a barnacle?
With the help of costumed tour guides you will use all your senses to explore a fascinating taste of life on board, with a family trail through the museum to bringing education to entertaining new heights. Don’t miss the change to ‘write like a Tudor’ with quill and ink as your imagination goes wild with your own take on life on board. Don’t forget to pick up your collectible badge.
All this and more
As well the half term specials above, the award-winning Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the perfect day out for February half-term, with plenty to entertain all ages. Did you know the Mary Rose is home to the largest collection of Tudor artefacts, as befits Henry VIII’s favourite warship.
Tour HMS Victory and see the conservation work preserving history for generations. Through film, displays and interactive events, marvel not just at the historic ship itself and the work put into building her, but the incredible expertise from local shipwrights helping with the big repair.
Can you find Miss Muggins? Follow the clues to find the ship’s cat on board HMS M.33, the ‘lucky ship’ which was the only surviving vessel from the Gallipoli Campaign and one of just three left from the Great War.
Could you be a Royal Marine Commando? Test your top skills as part of the Action Stations, where you can test yourself on the Ocean Warrior fitness challenge, do the ropes course or take on laser quest.
Feeling out of your depth? Jump aboard the waterbus to Gosport to see the Royal Navy submarine Museum. End your visit with a bang at the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower.
Beyond half term
With an Ultimate Explorer ticket, you can visit today and keep coming back for the whole year. Book online today and save.
Find out more at https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/