The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent and discover over 400 years of maritime history, explore exciting galleries, attractions and meet costumed guides.

Test your sea-legs on any of three Historic Warships at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. Climb up to the open bridge on HMS Cavalier, a WWII destroyer.  Swing through the hatches on the submarine Ocelot.  You can also see what life was like in the Victorian Navy on board HMS Gannet (1878).

Elsewhere at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, you can make your own piece of rope on the Victorian Ropery Tour as you ‘learn the ropes’ at the Ropery.  You can also join an apprentice on his first day at the Dockyard in 1758 and meet the skilled workers who made the ‘ships of the line’.

In the BIG Store you can see mine-clearance, bridge-building machinery, a mini submarine and dockyard vehicles.  Sink an invading fleet at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in the Museum of the Royal Dockyard and journey through 400 years of maritime history.

During school holidays at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, there are plenty of additional activities to join - the Family Fun Trail, brass-rubbing, colouring to take home.  For a real treat make sure you get to the interactive storytelling, which often includes puppets.  Children can let off steam in the indoor soft play and outdoor adventure play areas too.

Finally, the beautiful Commissioner’s Garden offers peace and quiet to wander around and is ideal for a picnic at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.  The onsite licensed Wheelwrights’ Restaurant offers a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.

Find out more about the Historic Dockyard Chatham here

Find out more about family days out in England's south east here