The Historic Dockyard Chatham will reopen to visitors on 17 May after being closed to the public for seven months due to Government COVID-19 restrictions. The Dockyard was once the country’s largest and most important industrial site. Today its surviving Slips, big enough to protect mighty warships; and Mast Houses, long enough to store ships masts as tall as 90ft, mean there is no shortage of space to explore around the 80-acre heritage estate.
Favourite experiences, such as walking the decks of Victorian sloop HMS Gannet and surveying the fleet’s fastest ship, Second World War Destroyer HMS Cavalier, have been specially adapted to ensure an exciting but safe day out.
As well as going aboard historic warships and watching Master Ropemakers at work on the quarter-mile long ropewalk in the Victorian Ropery, visitors will be able to discover original displays and collections in the exhibition and gallery spaces, many of which are outside, meaning plenty of fresh air.
“We are thrilled to welcome our visitors back and look forward to families and friends reconnecting at the Historic Dockyard this summer,” says Richard Morsley, chief executive, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the site looks outstanding, and with a new temporary exhibition and new Collections on display, we are confident in delivering a fascinating maritime adventure in a happy and safe environment.”
