Get involved

Get involved in the dynamic activities, events, and attractions at Portsmouth Historic Quarter.

From exhilarating boat rides aboard historic vessels and mini ports for the little captains, to exciting events, markets, exhibitions and workshops, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

What’s on

Event Introduction to Raffia 20240705

Introduction to Raffia Workshop

Create your own unique miniature raffia basket

IMG 6428

Pontoon Open Weekend

Boathouse 4 FREE event

Spitfires of the Sea

Pontoon Open Weekend Boat Trips

Book a trip on board a heritage vessel

Event Spoon Carving

Beginners’ Spoon Carving Workshop

Create your own unique spoons using hazel

IMG 6428

Pontoon Open Weekend

Boathouse 4 FREE event

Spitfires of the Sea

Pontoon Open Weekend Boat Trips

Book a trip on board a heritage vessel

All events

Boat trips

Join us for an unforgettable journey through the waves of history!

Embark on a voyage through history aboard our iconic vessels. Experience the thrill of high-speed trips on Motor Gun Boat (MGB) 81 and High Speed Launch (HSL) 102, or join us on Foxtrot 8 for affordable but unforgettable tours.

Foxtrot 8 will offer afternoon trips Thursday-Sunday throughout the summer with a ticket price of just £10, ensuring everyone can enjoy this special experience. MGB 81 and HSL 102 tickets are available for pontoon open weekends, at a cost of £130/£100 per ticket, respectively.

We also offer vessel charters for those who wish to plan their own voyage.

 

Find upcoming trips Charter a boat
Website illustration 4 do

Boathouse 4 Tours

Our knowledgeable Boathouse 4 volunteers deliver daily behind the scenes tours, guiding visitors through the 80 year history of the Boathouse and the adventures of its notable occupants.

Find out why one wall is crinkly tin, and why a crane is camouflaged, and learn about our indoor locks and canal. Explore 100 years’ of small military craft and their stories.

Drop in to find out today’s tour time, or contact us at hello@portsmouthhq.org.

FREE

Mini port

Mini captains can have a fun on board Mini Port’s ships in the heart of the dockyard. Get behind the wheel and voyage across the mast pond in your own electric powered boat, taking in the historic surroundings and making your visit unforgettable.

Check out Miniport Electric Ships for opening times and updates.

Walk

SHIPWRIGHTS WAY

The Shipwrights Way is a 50-mile long distance path linking the towns and villages of East Hampshire to the beautiful countryside on their doorstep.

It runs from Alice Holt Forest southwards over the South Downs and all the way to the sea, finishing at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Outside Boathouse 4 you will find the sculpture of a Shipwright’s tool bag which marks the end of Shipwrights Way.

Find out more

Millennium Walk

The Millennium Promenade is a 2.6 mile walk from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, through Gunwharf Quays and Old Portsmouth to Southsea, or you can complete the trail in reverse.

The route between the dockyard and Clarence Pier is marked by a stone motif in the pavement and the promenade is lit by column-mounted lanterns.

 

Find out more

Volunteer

Join our fantastic team of volunteers, and help keep our heritage afloat!

As custodians of an historic fleet of military power boats, buildings and spaces in and around Portsmouth Harbour, we are dedicated to keeping our heritage alive, ensuring it is available and accessible for future generations.

This requires a combined team effort from staff and volunteers throughout the year.

Get hands on with history by becoming a volunteer with us, from maintaining the Porter’s Garden, restoring our wooden boats, to welcoming visitors and guiding them through the story of Boathouse 4 and the vessels that call it home.

Find out more

Stay with us

One of our most recent regeneration projects is Adventure Prospect. Formerly known as the ‘Shifting House’, it was first built in 1898-1899 to accommodate munitions workers changing into the special clothing that they wore when working in the gunpowder magazines. Now, the cottage is a charming 2- bedroom retreat with a log fire and stunning harbour views.

Residents have the attractions of Priddy’s Hard on their doorstep, with the Explosion Museum and Powder Monkey Brewery and Tap House within walking distance.

The AirBnB reviews speak for themselves, why not book yourself a break in this unique setting?

Our AirBnb Page