Rare objects from HMS Victory have gone on display - including the battle damaged Trafalgar Sail where visitors can discover the holes made by round shot during the historic battle.
As part of HMS Victory: The Big Repair, the £42m conservation project caring for Nelson’s flagship, visitors will get the chance to come face to face with the largest surviving object from the battle of Trafalgar which has gone in display from today (July 4) at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Marked by the stains, holes and damage that tell the story of Victory and the crew who fought on board, the sail will be on display until September 30.
And, for six Wednesdays only, visitors will also have the rare chance to see Nelson’s silver tableware displayed inside HMS Victory’s Great Cabin. The scene will be set as if Nelson has just stepped out before dinner, with his steward preparing the table and sharing the stories behind the man, the myth and the fame. The silver will be on display every Wednesday from 22 July to 26 August, from 10am to 5pm.
Watch the video embedded in this story to find out more about what visitors can see
A new viewing platforms will also open later this month within the scaffolding around HMS Victory, giving visitors a closer look at the ship’s inner workings and the specialist skills used to preserve her.
It is a rare chance to see conservation in action during a once-in-a-generation phase of the project to help restore and preserve the commissioned Royal Navy warship which is still the current flagship of the First Sea Lord.
There are also other opportunities to discover more about HMS Victory. From 27 to 31 July, visitors can drop into Meet the Makers, a week of hands-on sessions revealing the traditional skills and conservation work helping to preserve HMS Victory today. Activities will include carving, sailmaking, sign painting, gilding, rope work and conservation science.
At the Mary Rose Museum, visitors can get closer to the people, objects and stories of the Tudor warship through a programme of special summer activities. They can create their own Cowdray artwork using a specially designed pack and, on 28 July and 25 August, join Artist in Residence Laurence Wen-Yu Li to learn how to weave Tudor-style ribbons and cord.
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- HMS Victory Trafalgar Sail: 4 July to 30 September 2026
- HMS Victory new viewing platforms open: mid July 2026
- Nelson’s silver tableware: Wednesdays only, 22 July to 26 August, 10am to 5pm
- Meet the Makers: 27 to 31 July, 11am to 3pm
- Mary Rose summer activity: selected dates across the summer programme
1. HMS Victory
Louisa Blight, the head of collections and research at Royal Navy Museums with some silverware Picture:Marcin Jedrysiak | Marcin Jedrysiak
