Maritime History spanning 400 years
Rigging, ropes and an OcelotThese are just a drop in the ocean of the things that you’ll discover within the Historic Dockyard Chatham. You’ll be pleased your ticket is an annual pass.
With 400 years of maritime history, Chatham Dockyard deserves to be the world’s most complete 'Dockyard of the Age of Sail'.
We loved our day here, we just wish it had been longer.
Chatham Dockyard is probably most well-known for building the magnificent “HMS Victory”, which was launched on 7th May 1765.
HMS Victory was Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship, during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
![The pin image for our post - 'The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent, England](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-Pin4.jpg)
![Looking up at the white rooflines of the boathouses of the Historic Dockyard Chatham contracting against a cloudless deep blue sky.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-boathouse-skyline-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Our List ...
First Port of Call at Chatham Dockyard
Book your timed tours for HMS Ocelot and the ropery![The white weatherboarded Upper Mast House against a deep blue sky at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Upper-Mast-House-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Looking at the bow end of HMS Ocelot in dry dock at Chatham Dockyard](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HMS-Ocelot-in-her-bearth-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
These two tours are included in the price of your ticket and are really informative and enjoyable. So, these are a must to do.
Now you can plan your day ahead.
Award winner
![A cast-iron cannon at the entrance to the Command of the Oceans exhibition at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Command-of-the-Oceans-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Here the story unravels how Chatham as a Royal Dockyard, played such a pivotal role to the Royal Navy.
Building wooden-hulled sail-powered warships for centuries.
You’ll discover tools and techniques in the trade of shipbuilding and even have a go yourselves.
![Janis standing in front of the giant model of HMS Victory in the Command of the Oceans exhibition at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Janis-admiring-the-model-of-HMS-Victory-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
You’ll pass by an amazing model of HMS Victory and believe me, it isn’t small; the detail is incredible.
Heading further through you’ll come to the centrepiece of the “Command of the Oceans”, and that’s the vast display of timbers once used on the HMS Namur. The Namur was launched from Chatham in 1756.
![The display of the timbers of the 18th century HMS Namur discovered at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-timbers-of-the-Namur-laid-out-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A close-up view of the dried out timers of the 18th century HMS Namur at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Close-up-timbers-of-the-Namur-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Did you know?
![The exterior of the brick-built Ropery at Chatham Dockyard](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Ropery-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
The original wooden rope house was built in 1618 when the dockyard was first established, the current brick buildings date from 1729 to 1812.
In 1778 King George III visited and was persuaded that the wooden buildings needed replacing, and indeed it was in his best interest to do so, as it was a Royal Dockyard after all.
![The view along the quarter-mile rope run inside the ropery at Chatham Dockyard](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Inside-the-Ropery-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Chatham Dockyard ropery tour
The rope house with a ¼ mile ‘rope-walk’![A tour guide, dressed in period clothing, at the start of the Ropery tour at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A-period-tour-of-the-Ropery-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A wooden trolley once used in the rope making process inside the ropery at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Demonstration-of-rope-making-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Inside the Ropery at the Historic Chatham Dockyard where an old bike, the only transport to cover the distance, rests against the equipment.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-only-form-of-transport-in-the-Ropery-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A close-up of the iron hooks with ropes attached to the spinning head of a rope making machine.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Up-close-rope-making-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The warehouses alongside the Ropery at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Chatham-or-Popular-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Quiet lanes between brick-built warehouse buildings of Chatham Dockyard that double as different locations & different periods in plenty of movies.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Historic-Lanes-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The brick-built facade to buildings now used on TV & movie in period pieces shot at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1950s-kids-entertainment-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Call the Midwife Location Tours
Steam, Steel and Submarines Exhibition
Chatham Dockyard after the Age of Sail![Various display items from the Steam, Steel and Submarine exhibition at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Inside-the-Steam-Steel-and-Submarine-exhibition-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A model of a submarine inside a slip inside the Steam, Steel and Submarine exhibition at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Later-history-in-the-exhibition-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
How to get to the Historic Dockyard Chatham
You can catch a high-speed train from London St Pancras direct to Chatham Station, which takes 40mins. Then it’s either a short taxi ride or around a 30-minute walk.
Alternatively, if you are travelling by car, there is an onsite car-park, which is free of charge.
![A view from the Historic Dockyard Chatham with HMS Gannet moored in a dry dock in front of #3 slip.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-dry-docks-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
HMS Ocelot
Clamber through a submarine![The view from the stern along the length of HMS Ocelot at Chatham Dockyard](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Looking-along-HMS-Ocelot-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Launched in 1962 HMS Ocelot was the last Royal Naval warship to be built at Chatham Dockyard.
It is incredible to think that 69 men lived on the boat, for 10 weeks continually, and believe me the washing facilities were quite limited.
![A mass of dials and controls at one station onboard HMS Ocelot at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Turn-what-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The torpedo tubes of HMS Ocelot, an exhibit at Chatham Dockyard](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Torpedo-tubes-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
I’d just like to add, and I know it’s probably obvious, but HMS Ocelot is cosy.
It’s fairly compact inside, this is no Red October from the movies.
You need to climb through circular doors to manoeuvre between each of the subs compartments.
If you suffer from claustrophobe, or you struggle with mobility, you may want to think twice about this tour.
![Janis clambering through one of the hatches on board HMS Ocelot at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Climbing-through-hatches-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Accessibility
It is important that you wear flat, comfy shoes when visiting Chatham Dockyard if you want to board the 3 warships. They have uneven surfaces, and often there are small holes in the decks.
However, the rest of the site is very accessible with lifts installed in the Ropery, the Upper Mast House and Number 3 Slip. The walkway around the Lifeboat exhibition is also wheelchair friendly. For more details check out the Historic Dockyard Website
HMS Cavalier
All hands-on deck for this Naval destroyer![A front, side-on, view of HMS Cavalier, at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/D73-HMS-Cavalier-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The view from the bridge of HMS Cavalier overlooking the Commissioner's House at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/From-the-Bridge-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
HMS Gannet
Explore the decks of a Victorian Sloop![HMS Gannet, at home in its dock at the Historic Chatham Dockyard with its rigging contrasted against the blue sky.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-elegant-HMS-Gannet-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The steering gear on the open deck of HMS Gannet at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/On-the-deck-of-HMS-Gannet-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Plan ahead
Why not buy your tickets directly online, you’ll even save yourselves a few pounds each on an adult ticket?
2023 (Online/Door) Pricing; Your tickets are valid for a year
Adult £25.00/£28.50
Concessions £22.50/£26.00
Children (5 – 15 years) £15.00/£18.00
Family Ticket £67.00/£77.00
The Historic Dockyard is a family treat
Go for a stroll on a voyage of discovery![A grey dock crane in the foreground, and the brick-built fire station in the background, at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Fire-Station-Crane-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The view from the outside the Wagon Stop Canteen towards the Commissioner's House with its bell & clocktower](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Clocktower-Building-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The impressive internal space and roof of number 3 slip in Chatham Dockyard, a museum and part-time film set.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-roof-of-3-slip-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The outside view of Number 3 slip from onboard HMS Gannet at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Outside-No-3-slip-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution - The RNLI
The history of lifeboats from 1824![A historic lifeboat station mocked in the slip that houses the RNLI display at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A-Lifeboat-House-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Standing above the RNLB Grace Darling in the RNLI display at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/RNLB-Grace-Darling-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Pit Stop; it’s time to refuel
Take a break at Chatham Dockyard’s ‘Mess Deck’![Three white flowers in a glass jar set on a table in the Mess Deck restaurant area of Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Call the Midwife gifts on display in the gift shop at the Historic Dockyard Chatham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Inside-the-gift-shop-Historic-Chatham-Dockyard-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
We had a fantastic day as guests at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, it’s full of excellent museums, exhibitions and galleries.
You’ll be pleased your ticket is valid for a year, as one day isn’t long enough.
Where to stay in Chatham
Our video of Historic Dockyard Chatham
We have created a little YouTube video of our visit to the Historic Dockyard Chatham - why not check it out?
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