During this bi-centenary year of the Battle of Trafalgar we have designed a day to give a really in-depth look at Admiral Lord Nelson’s great ship HMS Victory. The day will be spent in the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth with all-day private exclusive access to the Royal Naval Museum Princess Royal Gallery where you can rest and find refreshment, and enjoy the wonderful views over both Portsmouth Harbour and HMS Victory.

Arrival on Sunday night for a welcome reception and dinner in the hotel. On Monday morning you will drive to Portsmouth for arrival at 1000 at the Royal Naval Museum Gallery for coffee and biscuits. We have exclusive use of the Gallery for the day so you can use it for a base. The Museum is located facing HMS Victory and has four award winning exhibitions including a true to life recreation of Trafalgar and the great sea battles of 1805. The Story of HMS Victory will set the scene for your talk and visit later in the day, and Horation Nelson: The Hero and the Man completes our theme for the day.

A harbour cruise at 1100 will take you around the whole of Portsmouth Harbour, and the commentary will focus on Nelson’s time and HMS Victory’s place in the history of this famous harbour. At the end of the cruise you will return to the Gallery for a buffet lunch. After lunch the Curator of HMS Victory, Peter Goodwin, will give an in-depth talk on some of the lesser known details of the history of this famous vessel; this will enable you to take a very different look at her when you visit later in the day.

After this talk there will be free time for you to visit the rest of the Historic Dockyard which was founded by King John in 1212. Of especial interest is Mary Rose - Henry VIII’s favourite warship; raised to the surface in 1982 and brought back to her home port, she is still undergoing conservation. There are 1,200 objects on display, miraculously preserved by the fine silts beneath the Solent. HMS Warrior was launched in 1860 and during her heyday she was the most formidable warship the world had ever seen. She was the world’s first iron hulled armoured battleship, powered by steam as well as sail.

Tea will be available in the Gallery before your private conducted tour of HMS Victory once she is closed to the public. You will get the chance to view her in great detail, and from your experiences during the day can interpret her in your own way. The tour will finish with a wine reception on deck.

Finally back to your hotel for dinner and the night and departure after breakfast on Tuesday.

Price per person £349: No Single Supplement: Non refundable deposit £75 :
Includes:

• 2 nights dinner bed and breakfast
• Welcome reception
• Exclusive use of the Royal Naval Museum Princess Royal Gallery
• Coffee, lunch and tea on Monday
• Lecture by the Curator of HMS Victory
• Private tour of HMS Victory and a wine reception on board
• Professional guide and executive coaching

Entry to the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior are not included