National Museum of the Royal Navy Portsmouth

HMS Victory

Open Daily from 10:00am

Step aboard one of the most celebrated warships in Britain’s naval history, HMS Victory

See HMS Victory through Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson’s eyes as his flagship is presented as she was in her Georgian heyday. Soak up the atmosphere as the ship and her crew get ready for the Battle of Trafalgar, see where sailors and officers ate and slept, and feel the drama and impact of the day that changed history forever.

You will be able to explore every nook and cranny of HMS Victory, from The Great Cabin, where battle plans were drawn up, right through to the lower gun deck where you will catch a glimpse of what it was like to live and fight under Nelson.

Occasionally, Captain Hardy may be in his cabin, greeting visitors with tales from his adventures at sea. Ask him questions and find out what life was like on board.

HMS Victory will be undergoing major new conservation work which starts Wednesday 24 May 2022. There will be temporary scaffolding while this work is done and this is due to complete in time for the busy summer holiday period. The ship will remain open to visitors but access may be restricted for limited periods. Visitors are advised to keep up to date on the website and @NatMuseumRN.

Find out more about the conservation work taking place.

National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard HM Naval Base (PP66), HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3NH

Museum Open

10am–5pm, Last Entry 4.30pm

Plan a visit

Plan your visit

Located in Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, HMS Victory is open all year round from 10am every day. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a great place to bring the family, celebrate birthdays and special occasions. You can also enjoy weekends, holidays, and days off, having quality time out in good company.

Learn everything you will need to know to plan your visit to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including details on accessibility, audio guides, and parking.

Victory Live: The Big Repair

Get under the skin of HMS Victory in our latest visitor experience Victory Live: The Big Repair. Learn about the once-in-a-lifetime project to fight the impact of moisture, fungus and pests that threaten her; meet the incredible teams fighting to protect her and see her like never before by climbing aboard the scaffold that encases her in this unique and groundbreaking experience.

Included as part of your HMS Victory ticket, you will be allowed access to the scaffold surrounding the ship, getting up close to painstaking work taking place to preserve her and you will also meet some of the incredible teams of craftsmen, conservators, engineers and shipwrights who seek to protect her for the next 50 years. A family trail is also available for young explorers keen to understand the scale and spectacle of the project.

Please be aware that access to the scaffold may be limited due to operational circumstances, where possible we will inform visitors ahead of their visit. The scaffold is accessible via a lift for those with mobility issues.

Find out more about Victory Live: The Big Repair

Conservation

With over 260 years of history and participating in six major battles over an unusually long service, the National Museum of the Royal Navy is committed to preserving Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory.

The ship is currently undergoing the biggest restoration programme in her history following guidelines set out in the National Historic Ships UK (NHSUK) Publication ‘Conserving Historic Vessels’.