Boathouse 4 Open Days

Boathouse 4 is opening its doors for a series of open days, starting this weekend on 11 and 12 July. It's part of the Portsmouth Historic Quarter, and the whole point is that you can actually get on board the boats rather than just looking at them from the quay. The main draw is the pontoon, where you'll find Motor Gun Boat 81, High Speed Launch 102, and Landing Craft F8 — three working heritage vessels you can step aboard and explore.

It's not just about the boats, either. You'll meet the volunteers who keep them running, and there are free exhibitions on site, including SHE_SEES, a photography exhibition. If you've got time to wander, the Old Pay Office and Storehouse 9 are nearby, and the Boathouse 4 Kitchen does food with views over the harbour. It's a good spot to spend a few hours if you're already down in the Historic Dockyard.

Entry to the site, Boathouse 4, and the pontoon is free, though you'll need a Historic Quarter Pass to get in. If you want to get out on the water, that's where the cost comes in: a trip on High Speed Launch 102 is £65 per person, Motor Gun Boat 81 is £130 per person, and Landing Craft F8 is £12 for an adult, £6 for a child, or £30 for a family of two adults and two children. If you can't make this weekend, there are two more dates later in the summer: 8 and 9 August, and 12 and 13 September. Boathouse 4 is in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, PO1 3LJ.