The Historic Dockyard, Chatham is Europe’s most important maritime heritage destination. The 80-acre site dates back over 400 years and was once one of Britain’s most important naval bases. Among its displays are warships, exhibitions and some of the country’s best architecture.

Historic warships

Three of the nation’s most powerful fighting ships are on display – HMS Cavalier, Britain’s last remaining WWII destroyer, the submarine HMS Ocelot and after restoration, the last Victorian sloop, HMS Gannet. Guided tours around the destroyer and through the submarine are included in the entrance price.

The award-winning Wooden Walls animatronic gallery allows visitors to walk through the Royal Dockyard of 1758 and discover how Britain’s wooden warships were built. Lifeboat!, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute National Exhibition, tells the story of one of Britain’s vital volunteer services with a display of 16 full size lifeboats, film and artefacts.

The Ropery is a unique quarter-mile long building where craftsmen still use traditional techniques to make quality rope that rigs the world’s grandest sailing ships.

The Kent Police Museum, craft workshops, licensed restaurant and teashop are also on site.

Prices

• Adult £11.50.
• Child £6.50 (aged five to 15 years old).
• Concession £9 (senior citizens, students, ex-services, HM forces).
• Family ticket £29.50 (two adults and two children or one adult and three children). Additonal child £5.

For opening times visit The Historic Dockyard website: (www.chdt.org.uk).