Easter bank holiday weekend at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomes newest venture and marks the end of special exhibition

Easter bank holiday weekend at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomes newest venture and marks the end of special exhibition

The Easter Bank Holiday weekend at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard marks a new beginning for a Georgian storehouse and a call to action to join in community celebrations to mark the closing of a popular exhibition marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Storehouse 9 dates back to 1784 and is the new home to 'The Georgian' tearooms at the recently opened Antiques Storehouse. Opening on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March with special guests, music, fine food and drink, visitors can enjoy fine traditional cream teas, afternoon high tea and an international selection of quality beverages from around the world, served with seasonal artisan cakes. It also serves lunch with the special feature - the 'Square Meal'.

Visitors on Saturday 22 March are also invited to join the Chasing Freedom Community Day at the Royal Naval Museum to mark the end of the bicentenary year of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The event is free to local residents and all visitors to the museum are welcome to take part in a variety of workshops including African mask making, drumming and storytelling and dressing up as well as visit the Chasing Freedom exhibition, which will be closing at the end of April.

A free Easter egg trail will be available for children of all ages, on Sunday 23 March from 10am - 3pm. Visitors can take part in the self-guided hunt through the attractions and gift shops a the Historic Dockyard. All those taking part will receive a small prize and the opportunity to enter into a prize draw to win prizes donated by local retailers and tourist providers.

Other highlights of the Easter bank holiday weekend will include:

Good Friday 21 - Monday 24 March

Daily:

"What on earth is that?" at the Mary Rose Museum. Visitors can try to identify some of the more unusual objects from the Mary Rose. 11am - 12noon & 2pm - 4pm. Free with a valid attraction ticket

Mary Rose Museum Highlight tours

A 45 minute guided tour of the Mary Rose Museum. 10.30am & 4.30pm. Free with a valid attraction ticket

Good Friday 21 - Monday 31 March

Easter Egg trail on board HMS Warrior 1860. Visitors are challenged to follow the trail and learn about life in the Victorian Navy. 10am - 4.30pm. Free with a valid attraction ticket

Sunday 23 & Monday 24 March

Victorian Storytelling on board HMS Warrior 1860, 11am, 12noon, 2pm & 3pm. FREE with a valid attraction ticket

From Friday 21 March, visitors can see HMS Victory at their leisure as the ship is operating a free flow system, when guides are positioned throughout the ship until 28 September 2008.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is open daily from 10am. Annual Admission tickets are priced at adult £18.50, senior £16.50, child £14.00, family £51.50 (up to 5 members of the same family, maximum 2 adults/seniors) and give unlimited entry for one year to HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations and one entry to the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and a Harbour Tour (subject to the special events programme). Visitors are urged, where possible, to opt for the Gift Aid Annual Admission ticket that allows the charity-owned attractions to reclaim tax. Single Attraction tickets are also available and valid on day of purchase only. Visitors are welcome to visit any of the restaurants, retail shops and Antiques Storehouse without charge