Boathouse 4 Event - Pontoon Open Weekend - Portsmouth 100

Boathouse 4 is hosting its Pontoon Open Weekend on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, part of the Portsmouth 100 celebrations marking a century of the city's history. It's a couple of days of open access to the water's edge at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (PO1 3LJ), with the site open from 10:00 to 16:30 both days.

Getting in is the easy bit: entry to the site, Boathouse 4, and the pontoon is free, though you'll need a Historic Quarter Pass, which you can pick up at the Visitor Centre. The exhibitions in Boathouse 4, Storehouse 9, and the Old Pay Office are also free to wander through, so you can spend as much or as little time as you like without spending a penny. There are plenty of volunteers on hand to chat through what you're seeing, and a selection of boats will be open for you to step aboard and look around.

If you fancy getting out on the water, that's where the paid part comes in. There are three historic boats running trips, and they're quite different from one another. The High Speed Launch 102 does a 45-minute run for £65 per person, while the Motor Gun Boat 81 is an hour for £130. The Landing Craft F8 is the more accessible option: 30 minutes for £12 per adult and £6 for children aged 5 to 15, or a family ticket for £30 covering two adults and two children. The Landing Craft runs on a set schedule with departures at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, and 15:00, and they strongly recommend booking in advance.

It's set up for families as much as for history buffs, with family activities spread across the site and Boathouse Kitchen on hand for food and drink. Between the free exhibitions, the boats open for exploring, and the trips out on the water, there's enough to make a full day of it. Just remember the Visitor Centre for your pass before you head in.