Costumed Guides bring this spectacular Maritime Heritage site alive!

Set in a stunning 80 acre estate, The Historic Dockyard Chatham has many maritime galleries and attractions which are guaranteed to excite and entertain all ages!

A brand new gallery and costume guided tour will be available from Spring 2008. The New Ropery Experience takes you through the new interpretation of this important traditional process. Visitors will discover why rope was so important to the Royal Navy in the Age of Sail and find out about the exploitation of the ‘Women of the Ropery’ in Victorian times. The tour culminates with the dramatic view of the ¼ mile long Ropewalk where rope is still made today. Until the new Ropery Experience opens, guided tours will continue through the existing gallery.

Visitors can also hear stories of life aboard the three Historic Warships – HMS Gannet (1878) the last remaining sloop of Queen Victoria’s Navy, HMS Cavalier (1944) the Second World War Destroyer, now a memorial ship and HM Submarine Ocelot which once prowled the depths of the oceans. Through the ships’ audio tours available on HMS Gannet (1878) and HMS Cavalier (1944), you’ll go on a voyage of discovery and ‘meet’ characters who served on board. The National Destroyer Memorial was unveiled last year - an imposing and emotive bronze monument which now stands alongside HMS Cavalier. Together, they form the officially designated memorial to the 142 Royal Navy destroyers sunk during the Second World War and over 11,000 men who lost their lives as a result.

You’ll absorb the sights, sounds and smells of the dockyard of 1758, recreated in the Wooden Walls gallery; journey through maritime history in the inspiring Museum of the Royal Dockyard and re-live heroic rescues of RNLI crews in the Lifeboat! gallery.

A new collection is on display from Spring 2008 - 3 Slip – The BIG Store where visitors can feast their eyes on the dramatic wooden roof structure of this immense covered slip and find really BIG ‘things’ from the collections of The Historic Dockyard and Royal Engineers Museum Gillingham. The building itself is one of Britain’s architectural gems. When built in 1838 it was Europe’s largest wide span timber structure. You can take the lift or stairs to the mezzanine floor to discover the real grandeur of its incredible roof.

The beautiful Commissioner’s Garden offers peace and quiet to wander around and children can let off steam in the indoor soft play and outdoor adventure play areas. Activities during school holidays include interactive story telling, a family Ropery tour, colouring and a number of different trails.

Events take place throughout the year including the ‘Medway Festival of Steam and Transport’ * on Easter Sunday and Monday, 23rd and 24th March; ‘Pirates!’ on 25th and 26th May; ‘Smugglers’ on 24th and 25th August; a Veterans Day on 5th July and Salute to the Forties’ *on 20th to 21st September.

Fact Box

With so much to see and do at The Historic Dockyard, the 12 month ticket offering unlimited return visits is incredible good value for money.

See www.thedockyard.co.uk  or telephone 01634 823807 for details of gallery opening and closing times, special events and prices.

* 12 month ticket not valid at these 2 events.