Discover centuries of naval and industrial history at your own pace.

With a free Historic Quarter Pass, you can explore some of the most iconic sites at Portsmouth Dockyard and beyond. Take time out in the peaceful Porter’s Garden, watch traditional boatbuilding in Boathouse 4, or step into the life of a young apprentice at the Dockyard Apprentice exhibition.

Wander through historic spaces across Portsmouth and Priddy’s Hard in Gosport. Browse independent shops, see working craft afloat, and catch local artists at work. Keep an eye out for aircraft carriers docked in port, offering a rare opportunity to witness these impressive vessels up close.

Boathouse 4

Free to enter, Boathouse 4 is a rare industrial landmark still serving its original purpose, complete with working cranes, functional lock gates and an internal tidal dock. The boathouse also boasts the SHE_SEES exhibition and a fantastic restaurant with harbour views.

Boathouse 4 is home to the world’s leading collection of military powerboats of the 20th century and dedicated to their restoration and maintenance. Visitors to Boathouse 4 can watch vessel conservation in action, and join the free daily guided tours led by our knowledgeable volunteer team to learn more about the building and its history.

You’ll know the Boathouse when you see it! Its 1930s architectural design and ‘sawtooth’ roof makes it instantly recognisable within the landscape of Portsmouth Harbour.

FREE

Boathouse 7 dockyard apprentice

Step into the world of Portsmouth Dockyard’s historic workforce at our Dockyard Apprentice exhibition. Delve into the lives of shipwright apprentices and other civilian Dockyard workers.

Explore the rich history of naval engineering, from traditional tools to the iconic Dreadnought class, through the lens of ordinary workers shaping maritime innovation.

Our friends at the Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Trust created and maintain this exhibition, and it is a firm favourite with those who want to go deeper into Portsmouth’s social history.

FREE

GREEN SPACES AND HIDDEN GEMS

Come and see where history unfolds.

In Portsmouth, make your way past our 300 year old Dockyard Wall, stepping through Victory Gate into a world of living maritime heritage. Relax in the volunteer-tended Porter’s Garden and discover our Mast Pond, constructed during the reign of Charles II.

At Priddy’s Hard, explore this well-preserved former munition yard and its 18th century Camber Dock. Spot the historic tram lines, tracing the paths of workers and goods from years gone by.

Discover hidden histories and enjoy ever-changing views of Portsmouth Harbour from both sites of Portsmouth Historic Quarter.

FREE

Art at the quarter

Discover the vibrant intersection of culture and heritage at Portsmouth Historic Quarter. As custodians of historic buildings, boats, and spaces in and around Portsmouth Harbour, we’re not just preserving history; we’re breathing new life into it.

Use your free Historic Quarter Pass to see captivating works at the Dockyard, such as Alice Hume’s Interactive Weaves, on display in the Porter’s Garden, and Pete Codling’s project “CROWD,” which vividly portrays the multi-cultural history of Portsmouth through thousands of charcoal portraits.

FREE

Browse

Explore historic buildings brought to life by local makers and artists.

Visit Boathouse 4 for homeware and gifts featuring artists’ impressions of our operational craft, and discover Nauticalia in Boathouse 7, a firm favourite for gifts and curiosities that appeal to all ages.

From autumn 2025, visit the transformed Carpenters’ Yard at Priddy’s Hard, home to a new artists’ quarter offering handmade artwork, homeware and one-of-a-kind pieces.

BH6 across Mast Pond

OUR BUILDINGS

Explore the 50 acres of heritage landscape on both sides of the water that make up the Portsmouth Historic Quarter.

Explore the built environment of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Priddy’s Hard in Gosport. Delve into the stories of these iconic buildings and their role in shaping our history.

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Foxtrot 8 Pontoons

OUR VESSELS

Discover the indispensable role of small craft in military operations, and explore one of the largest collections of its kind. From powerful steamers and high-speed powerboats to swift sailboats, each vessel tells a unique tale of naval ingenuity.

Our Collection includes operational craft moored at our Boathouse 4 pontoon network.

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