Due to COVID sickness within our teams we are sometimes required to close our attractions and sites at short notice.
Whilst all efforts will be made to avoid closures and to contact ticket holders ahead of visits we do ask you to check our Facebook and Twitter accounts for details of closures.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.
Pre-booking is advised, and visitors must wear masks for their safety and the safety of others, unless exempt. Find The Latest COVID-19 Updates Here.
Plan your visit to Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
Are you looking for the perfect family day out in Gosport? For an experience like no other, plan your visit to Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower. See our opening times, how to find us, waterbus service, ticket prices, group bookings and on-site facilities.
Book Your Visit Online
When you visit Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, you'll become immersed in artillery and munitions from another time. Make a day of it and buy an Ultimate Explorer ticket and be able to return all year, alongside visiting the Submarine Museum and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard!
Book Your Visit
Already have a ticket to Explosion Museum of Naval Power or Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and want to visit? visit our booking portal and put in your Returner ID to book your time slot.
Please note that a visit to the Explosion Museum will need to be booked separately from a visit to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Opening Times
Normal Opening hours are Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4.30pm
The first pre-booked slot will be 10am and final is 3.30.
Opening hours are extended for the School Holidays. Therefore we will be additionally open Monday’s and Tuesdays on the following dates:
April 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19.
We will be open 7 days a week from 30 May. Only open 7 days a week in school holidays so for week of 30 May and then back down to 5 days a week, until school summer holidays (opening Mondays and Tuesdays from 25 July. Going to 5 days a week from 5th September 2022 until October half term. It may be easier to message that its 5 days a week (Weds – Sun) all year except school holidays where we are 7 days a week.
Pre-booking is advised but we do accept walk up visitors. Discounts are offered on pre-booked tickets
Waterbus
THIS SERVICE WILL REOPEN ON WEDNESDAY 23RD JUNE.
Due to the continuation of covid restriction the boat will be operating at a greatly reduced capacity. It will take a maximum of 30 visitors, depending on the size of family/bubble groups.
Get onboard our Waterbus service which makes it easier to travel between the Historic Dockyard site, the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Explosion Museum.
The Waterbus runs at weekends only during winter opening (November to March inclusive)
The Waterbus is subject to availability and prevailing weather conditions and its availability cannot be guaranteed. The waterbus leaves from the jetty alongside HMS Warrior. Please see the table below for the waterbus departure times.
Please note that the waterbus operates on a first come first serve basis. Booked timeslots do not guarantee of a place on the boat.
Polite notice: The Waterbus does not take any pushchairs/buggies onboard due to the jetty and steps being unsuitable. Buggy parks are available at Boathouse 4, the Warrior jetty and on the pontoon.
* Indicates pick up only due to attraction closing time.
The Camber Lights Café
Enjoy the views of Portsmouth Harbour and the camber area with a hot drink and homemade slice of cake in The Camber Lights Café. Our café is open to everyone and provides a range of hot and cold light lunches, snacks and beverages to suit everyone's tastes.
Sit outside and admire the views of the camber - you might even be able to spot HMS Queen Elizabeth when alongside Portsmouth Naval Base. We welcome one and all to our unique café, set in the historic surroundings of Priddy's Hard. Open 10am until 5pm daily.
Address
Heritage Way, Priddy’s Hard, Gosport PO12 4LE
By road: M27 to junction 11. Follow A32 to Gosport and brown tourist signs to Explosion Museum at Priddy’s Hard.
By rail: Mainline route London to Portsmouth Harbour. Take the frequent ferry service across to Gosport (3mins). From the Ferry at Gosport, turn right and follow the Millennium Promenade to Explosion! at Priddy’s Hard (20mins walk) or taxi to Forton Lake Bridge (3mins).
By water: Access via the Waterbus from the Historic Dockyard is temporarily closed due to government social distancing guidelines.
Free parking
There's plenty of free parking at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower. The museum is located right next to the car park with easy access.
