Visit the Historic Morgenster Tall Ship at Shoreham Port

If you are looking for something different to do this coming bank holiday weekend, a piece of maritime history is heading our way. The Morgenster, a Dutch tall ship with a story that spans over a century, is scheduled to dock at Shoreham Port from Friday, May 22, through to Monday, May 25. This 46-metre brig will be moored at Wigan Wharf, and while the scheduled sailing trips along the Sussex coast are already fully booked, the crew is opening the decks for free onboard tours. It is a straightforward way to see a traditional sailing vessel up close without having to leave the local area, especially since Shoreham is just a short hop from Brighton by train or bus.

The ship itself has a fairly colourful past that goes beyond its current role as a sail training vessel. Originally built in 1919 as a herring lugger named De Vrouw Maria, it was later commandeered by German forces during World War II. Decades later, in 1979, the government seized it under suspicion of being outfitted for piracy. It wasn't until the 1980s that it was converted back into a sailing ship, eventually being refitted as a brig in 2008. Standing nearly 30 metres high, the vessel is a significant presence in the harbour, following in the footsteps of other historic visitors like the Galeón Andalucía which visited Shoreham last summer.

Because the ship will be out at sea for private voyages during the day, the free visiting hours are specifically set for the evenings. You can head down on Friday, May 22, or Saturday, May 23, between 17:00 and 20:00. On Sunday, May 24, the visiting window is slightly shorter, running from 18:00 to 20:00. There is no need to book these tours in advance as they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to see the ship in motion, the best times to watch are during its arrival and departure from the port, which offers a better perspective of the sails in action than when it is tied up at the wharf.

Getting to Wigan Wharf is relatively easy if you are coming from Brighton. Southern trains stop at Southwick station, which is a short walk away, or you can take the 700 Coastliner bus to the Grange Road stop. Parking at the port is quite limited, particularly over the bank holiday weekend, so public transport is usually the more reliable bet. While you are there, the Port Kitchen is available for food and drinks, providing a spot to sit and watch the harbour activity. It is a low-key opportunity to explore a historic vessel that has survived everything from world wars to piracy allegations, all within a few miles of home.