If you’re looking for the perfect place for little pirates to explore,
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has treasure trails, pirate exhibitions and so much more!
From making pirate patches, learning pirate slang to going on a pirate trail,
Or learn all about how the pirates escaped jail!
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the perfect day out for families, especially ones with kids who love pirates! With lots of events happening, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect one.
Horrible Histories Pirates – The Exhibition
Until 31st December
Arggh you ready for a pirate adventure? Let your little pirates explore their very own ship and let out their inner sailer as they dress up with eye patches and deadly armaments. Learn the talk of the sea and learn pirate slang whilst learning all about the rules of the pirate code before designing your own pirate flag and taking to battle with different weapons including a cannon!
💰Pirate Treasure Trail💰
Until 31st December
Get the whole family together and see if you can solve the pirate treasure trail. Once you enter, pick up the trail and visit each treasure point, learn how the Royal Navy fought piracy at sea and discover exciting artefacts throughout the museum. Make sure to complete the trail as you could even win a prize!
🚩Signal Flag Class🚩
19th October until 27th October
This is a really interesting event! Let children learn all about how Victorian sailors would communicate to each before telephone or morse code. Follow the guide boards to learn how to create your own messages to inform other ships nearby. You’ll also learn what arm movements to use, how to position yourself on deck and become an expert at flag signalling!
🔎Trafalgar Family Challenge🔍
19th October
Hear the tales from Captain Hardy as he reminisces about Nelson’s last moments whilst describing the Battle of Trafalgar. Join in with the mark making activity and explore mystery artefacts in an object detective challenge! This event happens at two times, 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm.
🏴☠️Pickpocket like a pirate🏴☠️
26th October until 3rd November
Ever wondered how pirates made a living? Now you can learn all their tricks and secrets as to how they would pickpocket. This comedy act will allow parents to watch their little ones try to stealthy remove tissues from the mischief makers…will they be able to do it quietly? This experience will teach little pirates how pirates ruled the waves, how they made a living along with the consequences of their actions.
💣Gun drill workshop💣
26th October until 3rd November
This exciting experience will teach kids how pirates defended themselves on their ships years ago. Join the Dockyard Alive team as they demonstrate how to load giant cannons and the techniques used to fire it.
🕵Breakout of jail time🕵
26th October until 3rd November
Imagine this, you’ve been on the run from the dockyard police and you have just been caught! The dockyard jail is not a place you want to be, it’s a dirty place full of criminals and the worst…PIRATES! It’s your time to face judgement or you’ll face being placed in the stock. Will you be innocent or guilty? The audience will be your decider – so you must be good! Kids will love this exciting experience as they will learn how criminals were tried in a court of law along with how the judgement was given. This experience is running from 10am – 5pm on the 26th – 28th October & 10am – 5pm on 1st and 3rd November.
🏴☠️Duelling school🏴☠️
26th October until 3rd November
Ever wondered how pirates would defend themselves? Discover how pirates would defend themselves using their pistols and how they would duel. Watch the Dockyard Alive team face off against each other in a battle of silly fun as they argue who is the ultimate pirate! You and your little pirates will be able to learn all about which weapons they used, the techniques they used to duel along with what happened if they lost. The duelling school is available on the 26th – 28th October 10am – 5pm & 1st and 3rd November 10am – 5pm.
🎃Pirates & Pumpkins🎃
29th October until 30th October
Argh, you ready for a Halloween event? A ghost pirate ship has sailed into Priddy’s Hard and the skeleton crew have taken over! Join in the spooktacular fun including Halloween crafts, a deathly disco, kids trail and lots of competitions for the whole family to enjoy.
👪Commonwealth Families Fun Day👪
29th October
Join Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for lots of action-packed activities such as crafts, dressing up and a special virtual reality tour under the sea! This event is perfect for everyone in the family to get involved with.
🏴☠️Create your own pirate eye patch🏴☠️
30th October
Ever wanted to learn how to make your own eye patch? At the family event, get the whole family together and create your very own! Are you going to make yours colourful or go traditional? After you’ve made the ultimate pirate costume piece why not show it off at the Horrible Histories Pirates exhibition!
What have you been up to lately? We’d really love to know Someone else might love it, and really want to go! If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or reviews, you can shout all about it on whatever channel you choose!
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