Jaine Blackman discovers a way to give some young visitors a taste of history... and have fun

When I decided to take my cousin’s children for a day out to Portsmouth, I’d underestimated their ages.

Instead of the expected 11- and 12- year-olds, it turned out Josh was actually 13 and Jess, 14. What can I say, they live abroad... and I’m a rubbish “aunty”.

Realising my mistake I worried that Portsmouth Historic Dockyard might not have quite the same attraction as it would for younger children, not to mention the fact that they’re a well-travelled pair having lived in Scotland, Italy, Turkey, the Falkland Islands and currently Malaysia (dad’s in the RAF).

But it was too late to change, so with another cousin – their real aunty – in tow we set off. And I needn’t have worried at all.

The day started, quite literally, on a high as we first visited the city’s 170- metre Spinnaker Tower. With 360- degree views stretching out for up to 23 miles, on three observation decks, and a glass floor Sky Walk to traverse for the braver members of our party (everyone but me!), things began well.

They continued that way when we made the short walk to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Situated within a working Royal Navy base, attractions span 800 years of British sea-faring history. And as well as those at the dockyard there are others a short boat ride away (all included).

Visting on a half-term weekend we were advised on the gate to visit Explosion, The Museum of Naval Firepower and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum both short (and free) boat rides away. A good tip.

We had the water-bus to Explosion to ourselves on the way over and the way back. In between we giggled our way round the museum. While the subject matter is extremely serious, we all turned childish and went on a mouse hunt – to spot small toys hidden among the exhibits.

Well, there was plenty more history to come... and dwelling on killing power isn’t my subject of choice. Another waterbus ride took us to HMS Alliance, which gave a fascinating glimpse at life on a submarine. A former crew member gave an insight into life below the sea before we walked through the sub.

Back at the dockyard there was plenty more to see.

Here’s what we managed to pack in:

* The new Mary Rose Museum. This state-of-the-art museum is home to the remains of Henry VIII’s flagship, and an extraordinary collection of artefacts recovered from the sea after 400 years.

* HMS Victory: the world’s oldest commissioned warship, HMS Victory still has a full-time Royal Navy crew. Walking her decks – and ducking frequently to avoid the low beams – we got a sense of the men who sailed with Nelson at Trafalgar.

* The Trafalgar Experience, a multi-media walk-through show, housed on one side of the Victory Gallery, that explains why the battle took place, introduces Nelson and Napoleon, and recreates a gundeck on the Victory at the height of the battle. Feeling I’d done my duty giving our visitors a spot of history, and with time quickly running out we skipped the rest of the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

* Instead we headed to Action Stations, featuring dozens of interactive adventures, where Jess and Josh expertly tackled the rotating indoor climbing tower.

By that time, the dockyard was closing and there was still plenty more we could have seen.

Other attractions include: n HMS Warrior 1860: the world’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship launched in 1860 and never fired a shot in anger, yet changed naval warfare forever.

* Hear My Story Gallery: A new exhibition at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Portsmouth, telling the undiscovered personal stories from the men and women who have created the Navy’s history over the past 100 years, the century of greatest change.

* Racing to War Exhibition: the first of a new series of exhibitions to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Telling the story of the last years of peace and the opening months of the war at sea. n Royal Marines Museum: telling the 350-year history of the Royal Marines – the Royal Navy’s amphibious elite fighting force.

* Harbour Tours: a sailor’s eye view of the Historic Dockyard, and the warships of the modern Royal Navy.

The visit proved a hit with us all and any worry about what ages it would suit were unfounded. It may be a cliche but there was something there to please everyone.

ESSENTIALS

*Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ
historicdockyard.co.uk 023 9283 9766
* 10am to 5.30pm (November to March). Open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 
* All attraction tickets. Adult £28 (£21 online); child £21 (£15.75 online); family ticket, two adults and up to three children, £78.40 (£58.80 online)
* Spinnaker Tower spinnakertower.co.uk 02392 857520
* 10am to 5.30pm (last entry) Adult £8.95; child £6.95; concessions £7.95. 15 per cent discount by booking online

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