Devonport Naval Heritage Centre

Devonport Naval Heritage Centre

Devonport Naval Heritage Centre
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
The Devonport Naval Heritage Site and Visitor Centre records the development of The Dockyard and Plymouth's pivotal role in supporting the Royal Navy through major conflicts since 1300, including two World Wars. Through its collections, interactive experiences and pictorial interpretation the drama of the close relationship of Devonport, the Royal Navy, The Dockyard and the people of Plymouth can be explored. The Devonport Naval Heritage Site and Visitor Centre includes The Naval Heritage Centre, the Duty Visit Ship, the decomissioned submarine'Courageous' and Naval Base Coach Tours. It is open by appointment to groups of visitors. Tours are conducted by RN Personnel and Civilian Volunteers. Tours* are available for Divisional, Departmental or Team-Building events and for public enjoyment. Join with us in sharing, exploring and conserving the character and history of Devonport Naval Base and The Dockyard for the future. Enjoy your visit! *TOURS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH BOOKING
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Marion C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What an amazing place
    For starters it's free, not much these days for free. So much to see, a real working periscope, interactive displays and so much more. The displays are fascinating and the volunteers provide a wealth of knowledge. Having a family connection with Devonport Dockyard makes it so much more relevant. We will return many more times to take it all in. Followed by free tea and coffee, what a day!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 14 September 2023
  • Amanda F
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Surprisingly interesting
    Visited here as my partner was desperate to visit whilst we were on holiday in Devon from the North East of England. I had a passing interest as my uncle was based there many years ago for his navy/submarine training and postings. It was much larger than I anticipated and was so interesting! The very friendly volunteers there (all ex navy) were so knowledgeable and passionate about the site and surrounding area, we easily passed around two hours there. It was free to visit, with free tea and coffee offered, which was an unexpected bonus added! Donations were requested, but in no way forced on visitors, and in my opinion the experience was very much worth the money we popped in the box before we left.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 September 2023
  • Marie B
    Plymouth, United Kingdom40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    You need time to enjoy this
    What an absolute gem of a place, our host for the visit was Peter who was very knowledgeable and animated. The teenagers we were with loved it and explored and were shocked and amazed. The grownups loved it even more and each area we went into opened our eyes to lots of history and surprise. As a volunteer run attraction that has only been open since August it can only get better
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 October 2023
  • Juli C
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful and varied museum. Genuinely something for everyone, and allow some time to see everything.
    Wonderful and varied museum. Genuinely something for everyone, as the exhibits span a vast range of topics. Our guide was so great. he spent over 2 hours patiently showing me, my enthusiast son and my elderly parents around. My son has a keen interest in naval history and absolutely revelled in the models of different warships showing the evolution and naval innovation over time. He loved everything really, and our guide was so knowledgeable - he'd worked in the drawing office and was a great storyteller. I loved hearing about the street leading from the Pay Office was full of department stores and shops, ready for people to spend their hard earned wages. There was a brilliant room with older exhibits from 17th, 18th and 19th century sailing. Personally my favourite things to see were the embroidered badges and insignia, and most especially the periscope room - AMAZING! Sad we couldn't visit the submarine - maybe one day??? You'll need time to appreciate this gem of a museum. Great day out.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles98 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
16
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
4

Juli C
manchester6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
Wonderful and varied museum. Genuinely something for everyone, as the exhibits span a vast range of topics. Our guide was so great. he spent over 2 hours patiently showing me, my enthusiast son and my elderly parents around. My son has a keen interest in naval history and absolutely revelled in the models of different warships showing the evolution and naval innovation over time. He loved everything really, and our guide was so knowledgeable - he'd worked in the drawing office and was a great storyteller. I loved hearing about the street leading from the Pay Office was full of department stores and shops, ready for people to spend their hard earned wages. There was a brilliant room with older exhibits from 17th, 18th and 19th century sailing.
Personally my favourite things to see were the embroidered badges and insignia, and most especially the periscope room - AMAZING!
Sad we couldn't visit the submarine - maybe one day???
You'll need time to appreciate this gem of a museum. Great day out.
Written 10 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marie B
Plymouth, UK40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
What an absolute gem of a place, our host for the visit was Peter who was very knowledgeable and animated. The teenagers we were with loved it and explored and were shocked and amazed. The grownups loved it even more and each area we went into opened our eyes to lots of history and surprise.
As a volunteer run attraction that has only been open since August it can only get better
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stumpyBirmingham_UK
Birmingham, UK76 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Tried to visit this morning but was unable to find the centre. I was driving and followed the provided post code on the sat nav in the car and also on Google maps but neither took me to the centre. There were no signs on any of the approach roads and with no visible means of getting access I gave up and travelled the 196 miles home! Consideration needs to be given to better signage for visitors.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amanda F
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Visited here as my partner was desperate to visit whilst we were on holiday in Devon from the North East of England. I had a passing interest as my uncle was based there many years ago for his navy/submarine training and postings.
It was much larger than I anticipated and was so interesting! The very friendly volunteers there (all ex navy) were so knowledgeable and passionate about the site and surrounding area, we easily passed around two hours there.
It was free to visit, with free tea and coffee offered, which was an unexpected bonus added! Donations were requested, but in no way forced on visitors, and in my opinion the experience was very much worth the money we popped in the box before we left.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marion C
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
For starters it's free, not much these days for free. So much to see, a real working periscope, interactive displays and so much more. The displays are fascinating and the volunteers provide a wealth of knowledge. Having a family connection with Devonport Dockyard makes it so much more relevant. We will return many more times to take it all in. Followed by free tea and coffee, what a day!
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ynysva
Bodmin, UK118 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Really good experience, lots to see in respect of exhibits and displays, friendly guides and a good couple of hours looking around
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul S
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
Devonport Naval Heritage Centre is currently closed due to Covid

Some of the figureheads have been loaned to the Box. but the museum still has all of its previous exhibits and new ones which will hopefully be on display when we reopen after the Covid restrictions

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information when it is available

@devonportnavalheritagecentre
Written 13 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jannerbloke
Plymouth, UK12,635 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
The large figurehead of a queen has gone and now hangs with others in the high open area over the reception, bar/cafe and shop at The Box combi museum/gallery/archive complex on Tavistock Place in the city centre across the road from the university. There was a suggestion a few years ago that quite a lot of the naval heritage centre collection was to be moved and incorporated there. It’s not clear whether that has happened. But we have been down to Devonport to check out the centre but couldn’t find any clear notices or indications of the present position.
Written 22 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terence L
Plymouth, UK34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019
Great visit, something for everyone, the submarine tour is one to remember.
Some of the exhibits are very interesting.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sally D
Exeter, UK2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
The tour was well organised and ran for the full two hours. It was very informative, it is run by very knowledgeable volunteers. The tour took us around various parts of the submarine whilst both facts and stories of life onboard were shared. It was very enjoyable and initially I thought two hours was a long time but it flew past with so many questions being asked by the group. I only wish the tour were longer it was truly fascinating!
Written 28 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth

Frequently Asked Questions about Devonport Naval Heritage Centre

Devonport Naval Heritage Centre is open:
  • Mon - Thu 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM