A Day of Battles, Blue Peter, and 'Aboard' Moments

Our recent trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard was a day filled with history, excitement, and a bit of imagination! Gabriel, proudly flashing his Blue Peter badge, was thrilled to get free entry—it was his own “ticket” to adventure.

Aboard the HMS Victory: Nelson’s Final Battle

We started our journey on HMS Victory, following the audio tour that guided us through the ship and back to the Battle of Trafalgar. Gabriel listened closely as we learned about the tactics, the cannon fire, and, of course, Nelson’s leadership.

The highlight was seeing the exact spot where Nelson fell, and later died, on the lower deck.

The history felt so alive, and Gabriel was fascinated by it all. We couldn’t help but joke, imagining a different outcome for Trafalgar—one where England had lost, and Gabriel’s name might have ended up pronounced the French way, “Gabrielle!”

The Mary Rose: A Blast from My Past

After a hearty lunch, we made our way to the Mary Rose. Seeing the preserved remains of this Tudor ship was a surreal experience for me, as I remember watching Blue Peter cover the historic event when they raised it from the seabed. It felt like sharing a piece of my childhood with Gabriel. He was equally mesmerized, gazing at the artifacts and imagining life aboard a Tudor warship. The exhibit is brilliantly designed, and it was easy to lose ourselves in the stories of the sailors who once called the Mary Rose home.

Pirates and Play in the Horrible Histories Zone

Our next stop was the Horrible Histories area—a must for any young pirate at heart! Gabriel and I both got into character, battling each other in a lively round of “pirate battles” and exploring the darker (but often funny) side of history. It was hands-on, silly, and added a fun break from the deeper history we’d been absorbing. We both agreed we’d make formidable pirates!

The HMS Warrior: Life Brought to Life

We ended our day aboard HMS Warrior, where we were guided not just by signs and plaques, but by actors who truly brought the ship’s history to life. They led us from deck to deck, telling stories and sharing secrets from the ship’s past, and giving us a real feel for what life was like on board.

Down in the engine rooms, Gabriel’s eyes sparkled when he was “offered” a job as a ship’s boy—a role young boys would have taken on in Warrior’s day. He grinned at the idea of joining the crew, though I’m sure the real work would be a little tougher than it seemed!

A Day to Remember

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has a way of blending history with fun, and we left with our heads full of stories, legends, and more than a few new pirate phrases. From Nelson’s Victory to the Mary Rose and the lively actors on Warrior, it was a day of learning and imagination—and thanks to Gabriel’s Blue Peter badge, we’re already planning our next historic adventure!