Portsmouth & The Mary Rose

Monday 21 October

Leaving Devon we travel to Portsmouth and spend some time visiting Gunwharf Quays or have a stroll along the waterfront, before making our way to our hotel in time for dinner.

Tuesday 22 October

Today we visit Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard with a full Navy ticket for a truly memorable day out. Access to Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 - the world's first iron-hulled armoured warship - and HMS M.33, the only surviving ship from the First World War's Gallipoli Campaign. National Museum of the Royal Navy Portsmouth, boathouse 4, Explosion Museum, Harbour tour.

Wednesday 23 October

After breakfast we visit the Hovercraft Experience. We take a 20-minute flight departing from Southsea to experience the unique capabilities and manoeuvrability of our hovercraft, demonstrating the following:360 degree turns, deflating the skirt to sit on the water to 'float like a boat', high speed turns and expert commentary from our hovercraft pilot. We then take a 10 minute ride to Ryde on the Isle of Wight, with free time in Ryde to explore and have lunch. Returning on the hovercraft in the afternoon.

Thursday 24 October

Today we visit The Mary Rose Museum. In 1545, The Mary Rose sank outside Portsmouth Harbour defending England from invasion. In 1982, The Mary Rose made a spectacular return to the surface. This year, experience The Mary Rose as never before. Explore Henry VIII's favourite ship, recovered from the seabed in one of the most challenging archaeological excavations of all time. See the thousands of objects, from the large guns and the surgeon's tools to personal items like tankards and nit combs, which recreate life onboard with an authenticity no other attraction can provide.

Friday 25 October

This morning after checking out of our hotel we head to Netley, near Southampton to visit The Royal Victoria Chapel which was once at the heart of the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, which stretched for a quarter of a mile along the shores of Southampton Water. The hospital opened in 1863 and treated military personnel from across the British Empire. It was in operation for nearly 100 years, including during the Boer War, and World Wars I and II. The hospital building was demolished in 1966 and now only the Chapel remains. The Royal Victoria Chapel reopened to the public in August 2018 with improved access and an exciting new exhibition telling the story of the hospital and the people who worked and were treated there. After our visit we make our way home to Devon.

D=Dinner, FE=Full English Breakfast