HMS Victory: The Big Repair

HMS Victory is in the middle of 'The Big Repair' this summer, a £42 million conservation project that's taking a decade to work through. It's the oldest commissioned ship in the Royal Navy, and the 2026 phase is the most open yet: a redesigned scaffolding structure lets you get inside the ship and see parts of the inner workings that have been hidden for generations. You can watch the replanking of the hull and the removal of the remaining masts while the work is actually happening.

There are a few specific things to time your visit around. The battle-damaged Trafalgar Sail is on display from 4 July to 30 September, and Nelson’s silver tableware is out from 22 July to 26 August. If you're into the making side of things, the 'Meet the Makers' sessions run from 27 to 31 July, where you can see carving, sailmaking, sign painting, gilding, rope work and conservation science in person.

The project mixes old-school shipwrighting with some high-tech tools. They're using AI, 3D scanning and DNA sequencing to track wood-munching pests, and the structural work is held up by a unique internal propping system. It's not just about the ship itself, either; the work involves sustainable forestry practices, and the archaeological side has already turned up 19th-century coins from beneath the foremast. You'll see traditional skills like caulking alongside the conservation science that's keeping the whole thing together.

Everything is at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, and the access is included with the dockyard's all-attraction tickets. If you're planning to go, keep the dates in mind: the Trafalgar Sail is the longest run, the silver tableware is a shorter window in late July and August, and the makers' sessions are a five-day stretch at the end of July.