Discover the Royal Navy like never before

Create lasting memories and experience the thrills and adventures of the Royal Navy at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

With six sites across the country, the National Museum of the Royal Navy is more than galleries, displays, and exhibitions. It’s real experiences!

Climb aboard and see the most famous ships, planes, and submarines of the Royal Navy through the eyes of those who served on them. Feel the exhilaration and fear of battle. Be truly captivated by the thousands of unique, emotional, and sometimes quirky stories that have shaped the Royal Navy into what it proudly stands for today.

Our Highlights

Victory Live: The Big Repair

Using state of the art technology to document and repair HMS Victory
Set sail for adventure at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Get a breath of fresh air at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and jump into history
Short 184 - The Oldest Existing Royal Navy Aircraft

Find out the story of the oldest Royal Navy Aircraft through the amazing journey of one plane.
Tour of Fleet Air Arm Museum

Have an online tour of our Fleet Air Arm Museum
HMS Trincomalee walk through

Have a look of all the things to expect when you visit HMS Trincomalee
HMS Alliance walk though

Have a look of all the things to expect when you visit HMS Alliance
The Night Hunters

See the journey of MTB 71 and CMB 331 as they travel from the Fleet Air Arm Museum to their new home at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower in Gosport.

Visit us

HMS Caroline
Alexandra Dock, Queens Rd, Belfast, BT3 9DT

Museum Open

Friday to Sunday | 8 guided tours throughout the day from 10am until 3.15pm Free flow Wednesday - Sunday during Northern Ireland School Holidays
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 to 5pm | Last Entry 4pm
National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool
Jackson Dock, Maritime Avenue, Hartlepool, TS24 0XZ

Museum Open

11am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday Open all week during Hartlepool Borough Council school holidays.
Fleet Air Arm Museum
RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, BA22 8HT

Museum Open

10am to 4.30pm | Wednesday to Sunday Open all week during South Somerset school holidays
Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
Explosion Museum, Priddy’s Hard Heritage Way, Gosport, PO12 4LE

Museum Open

10am to 4.30pm | Wednesday to Sunday Open daily during Hampshire school holidays
Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Haslar Road, Gosport, PO12 2AS

Museum Open

Wednesday to Sunday | 10am to 4.30pm Open daily during Hampshire school holidays

Featured news & exhibitions

The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the University of Portsmouth form new partnership

The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the University of Portsmouth's Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures have formalised their partnership with a three-year MoU.

This agreement fosters collaboration on research, funding, and community projects, enhancing access to naval history. Simultaneously, NMRN's CEO, Matthew Sheldon, is appointed Visiting Research Fellow, strengthening academic and practical expertise exchange.

See more about this new partnership

HMS Victory: Conservation work "continues at pace" to restore Royal Navy flagship to her former glory

HMS Victory, Nelson's Trafalgar flagship, is undergoing "The Big Repair," a major conservation effort slated for completion in 2032.

Scaffolding surrounds the ship as experts combat rot and Deathwatch beetles, aiming to preserve its historic timbers for another 50+ years. Extensive frame replacement is crucial, particularly on the weather-worn starboard side.

Find Out More about HMS Victory: The Big Repair

New Acquisitions: The Highlights of 2024

2024 has been a year of significant acquisitions at The National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Formed in 2009, The National Museum of the Royal Navy is the youngest and fastest growing National Museum and we accept hundreds of new items into the Collection every year, thanks to generous gifts from members of the public or through purchase at auction or private sale. We are proud to be the permanent home for some incredible objects and it can feel like Christmas all year around for the Collections Team who have the pleasure of unboxing treasures.

See Highlights

Three figures look on at the ongoing work to rebuild a Fairey Barracuda

The Princess Royal Pays a Royal Visit to Fleet Air Arm Museum

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal paid a special visit to Barracuda Live: The Big Rebuild at Fleet Air Arm Museum, which is celebrating it’s 60th birthday this year after being opened by HRH Prince Phillip in 1964.

The Princess Royal was able to meet staff and volunteers whilst viewing first-hand the project aiming to save the world's only Second World War Fairey Barracuda from extinction.

Learn More About Barracuda Live

Two costume interpreters sit in the stocks in front of HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool

Pirate Parties Launched At The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool

Get ready for a swashbuckling good time as the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool introduces an exciting new addition for 2024: pirate birthday parties! Perfect for young adventurers, these parties offer an unforgettable journey into the world of swashbuckling pirates, fascinating history, and endless fun.

Find out more