Forthcoming Events at
Portsmouth City Museums and Records Service

 

Don't miss:

'Out to Lunch' and Heritage Open Days

Scroll down to see our upcoming events and do check details nearer the time as we will add updates.
Don't miss our 'Out to Lunch' family entertainment throughout August, with events from clowns to making toys (details below). There is no age restriction to those events but some of them, where specified, are intended to be more suitable for younger children.
Also, don't forget Heritage Open Days: This September we are opening the Round Tower, Eastney Beam Engine and Southsea Castle for the weekend of Heritage Open Days (details below).

July

Sunday 5 July

D-Day Museum

Armed Forces Day. Meet veterans from the Normandy Veterans Association. Display of model ships by the Surface Warship Association, including three 6ft long models (HMS Vanguard, HMS Renown, HMS Gambia).
Free admission to mark the day
10.00am - 5.30pm
The Pompey Paras' Armed Forces weekend will also be taking place on Southsea Common, near the D-Day Museum, on Saturday 4 July and Sunday 5 July. For more information on this event (not organised by the D-Day Museum) please click here.

Wednesday 8 July

D-Day Museum

A screening of "Overlord": Stuart Cooper's cult 1975 film of a soldier preparing for D-Day, incorporating archive film footage. With a short introductory talk by the D-Day Museum's curator.
Tickets: £3 (£2 concessions). Tickets can be booked by visiting the D-Day Museum, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, in person (cash or cheque only). Bookings over £5 can be made by telephone (debit or credit card) - phone the City Museum & Records Office on 023 9282 7261 and ask for the General Office. Tickets can also be booked by post - please send a cheque payable to “Portsmouth City Council” to: In Stitches, City Museum & Records Office, Museum Road, Portsmouth PO1 2LJ.
Part of the “In Stitches” festival - supported by The Arts Council.
7.30pm - 9.30pm

Saturday 11 July

City Museum & Records Office Gardens

'Oddsocks' present Richard III

Preparations for the forthcoming summer tour are going very well and we are excited and confident that it's "gonna be a guddun!"
Tickets can be obtained from the City Museum & Records Office, tel. 023 9282 7261.
7.30 pm - 9.30 pm

Wednesday 15 July

Square Tower open day: Take a look inside this historic building

The last chance this summer to look inside the Square Tower.
Broad Street, Old Portsmouth
Free admission
4.00pm – 7.00pm

Thursday 16 July

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on 'The Social History of the English Civil War Soldier', by Mr. A. Turton
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

 

Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 July

Southsea Castle

Family Weekend - The castle comes alive with two full days of activities for families, including the Mary Rose Trust, Gosport Living History Society, family entertainment from magicians Crazy Kev and Stuppido, and more.
Free admission
10.00am - 5.30pm (activities 10.30am - 4.30pm)

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the powerful and majestic James Watt beam engines, still situated in their original Victorian engine house.
Eastney Beam Engine House, Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9JF
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July

City Museum and Records Service

Football Trail
Follow the clues and activities in a special football themed trail.
During opening hours
Free Admission

August

Monday 3 to Friday 28 August

D-Day Museum

Meet members of the Normandy Veterans Association (Portsmouth Branch) and find out more about their experiences in 1944. Please contact us in advance of your visit to confirm that the veterans are able to attend. Monday to Friday only.
Usual admission prices apply.
10.00am - 4.00pm

Tuesday 4 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Punch & Judy
Traditional shows by highly popular puppeteer Geoff Felix.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Wednesday 5 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Toy-time
What crafty toys and games can you make?
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Thursday 6 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Crazy M The Clown
Don’t say sausages!
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Friday 7 August

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

Outdoor Wildlife Day - Hampshire Wildlife Trust will lead some fun outdoor activities for families getting a closer look at the natural world. Two pre-booked sessions are available. Places are limited to 15 children per session. Suitable for children ages 6+ Please bring suitable outdoor clothing.
10.00am - 11.30am and 12.30pm - 2.00pm
Free admission
To book your place ring (023) 92827261 and ask for Cumberland House.

Sunday 9 August

Southsea Castle

Terrific Tudor Hats: Fun craft activity for families.
2.00pm - 4.00pm
Normal admission prices apply

Tuesday 11 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Football Fun Day
Free-styling skills, penalty shoot out and much more!
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Wednesday 12 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Musical crafts
Ideal for the little ones. Come and make your own instruments.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Thursday 13 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Nolan Davies
Popular children’s entertainer.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Sunday 16 August

Southsea Castle

Terrific Tudor Hats: Fun craft activity for families.
2.00pm - 4.00pm
Normal admission prices apply

Tuesday 18 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Xtreme Falconry
Come and meet the birds of prey.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Wednesday 19 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Partytime
Have fun making all you need to enjoy a party.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Thursday 20 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Boogie Mites Musical Entertainer
Musical fun for 1 to 6 year olds. An active session with lots of wiggling and jiggling!
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Thursday 20 August

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on 'The King’s Theatre', by Ron Hasker
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Tuesday 25 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Story Time and Teddy Time
Join the journey of magical tales and bring teddy with you.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Wednesday 26 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Friendship knots and flowers
Create a special gift from wool or tissue and the card to go with it.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Thursday 27 August

City Museum & Records Office

Out to Lunch: Miller’s Ark Animals
Come and meet the animals.
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Free Admission

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

Reptile and Amphibian Weekend
Live exhibits and expert advice from Portsmouth Reptile and Amphibian Society.
10.00am - 5.00pm
Free Admission

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the powerful and majestic James Watt beam engines, still situated in their original Victorian engine house.
Eastney Beam Engine House, Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9JF
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

September

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September

Round Tower

Heritage Open Days at Portsmouth Museums and Records Service:
Discover more from our staff about this fascinating tower including a chance to use maps, documents and family trails.
11.00am to 4.00pm
Free Admission

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September

Eastney Beam Engine House

Heritage Open Days at Portsmouth Museums and Records Service:
Talk to staff and watch the magnificent engine in full steam.
1.00pm - 5.00pm
Free Admission

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September

Southsea Castle

Heritage Open Days at Portsmouth Museums and Records Service:
Guided tours at intervals during the day including some areas not normally open to the public.
10.00am - 5.30pm
Special free entry to castle and tours.

Thursday 17 September

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on 'Art in Portsmouth; an Unfinished Business', by Nigel Surry
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the powerful and majestic James Watt beam engines, still situated in their original Victorian engine house.
Eastney Beam Engine House, Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9JF
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

October

Thursday 15 October

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on 'Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in and around Portsmouth', by Sarah Quail
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the powerful and majestic James Watt beam engines, still situated in their original Victorian engine house.
Eastney Beam Engine House, Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9JF
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

Monday 26 to Friday 30 October

D-Day Museum

During half term, meet members of the Normandy Veterans Association (Portsmouth Branch) and find out more about their experiences in 1944. Please contact us in advance of your visit to confirm that the veterans are able to attend. Monday to Friday only.
Usual admission prices apply.
10.00am - 4.00pm

November

Sunday 8 November

D-Day Museum

Remembrance Sunday
Free admission to mark the day
10.00am - 5.00pm

Thursday 19 November

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on 'Joseph Paxton: The Great Exhibition, St. Pancras', by Rosina Brandham
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the powerful and majestic James Watt beam engines, still situated in their original Victorian engine house.
Eastney Beam Engine House, Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9JF
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

December

Thursday 17 December

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on 'Women at Sea in the Age of Fighting Ships', by Katy Ball
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Details are correct at time of upload. Every effort will be made to keep this site up-to-date but Portsmouth City Council reserves the right to make changes to the programme in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Tel: 023 9282 7261 Fax 023 9287 5276