Once upon a time,
before the town of Portsmouth was founded, this coastline was made up of creeks, low-lying marsh and water. Over the centuries the coastline has altered, but the town's position here on the south coast, its proximity to the open sea, coupled with control of the harbour and its entrance, have secured Portsmouth's place in history as one of the world's great anchorages and a rendezvous for British shipping in times of war for over 800 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forthcoming Events at
Portsmouth Museums and Records Service

March

Thursday 18 March

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on ' The History of Basing House’, by Mr. A. Turton, curator Basing House
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 March

Eastney Beam Engine House

An additional chance to find out more about the restoration work that has been recently completed at this site. See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

Monday 15 - Friday 19 March

Eastney Beam Engine House

To mark national Science and Engineering Week there is an opportunity to look around during the week. There will be steam-powered toys and other activities. Also find out more about the restoration work that has been recently completed at this site. See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
11.00am - 4.30pm

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

Craft and wildlife activities for the family. Come and make a bug. Suitable for all ages.
Free admission.
Drop in anytime between 11.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Sunday 21 March

City Museum and Records

‘Dave Allen’ Shows…
To accompany the Birth of British Rock exhibition join Dave Allen, expert on the history of the local music scene in the 1960s for a talk that promises to be fun, friendly and fascinating.. There’ll be images from the time, a little music and even a few familiar faces.
Free admission
2.00pm - 3.00pm

Saturday 27 March

Southsea Castle

Light Night
Special late night opening plus spooky goings on for families with Dark Encounters.
Free admission
6.00pm, 7.00pm and 8.00pm

Saturday 27 March

City Museum and Records

Light Night
Special late night opening plus mysterious activities and guided tour for families with Dark Encounters.
Free admission
6.00pm, 7.00pm and 8.00pm

Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 March

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

April

Monday 5 - Friday 16 April (weekdays only)

D-Day Museum

A chance to meet members of the Portsmouth branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, and chat about their experiences on D-Day and during the 1944 Battle of Normandy. Monday to Friday only. Please contact the D-Day Museum before your visit (tel. 023 9282 7261) to ensure that the veterans are able to come to the museum on that particular day.
Usual admission charges apply
11.00am - 3.30pm

Sunday 11 April

City Museum and Records

‘Dave Allen’ Shows…
To accompany the Birth of British Rock exhibition join Dave Allen, expert on the history of the local music scene in the 1960s for a talk that promises to be fun, friendly and fascinating.. There’ll be images from the time, a little music and even a few familiar faces.
Free admission
2.00pm - 3.00pm

 

Wednesday 14 April

City Museum and Records

Drumming - Can you beat it?
To accompany the Birth of British Rock exhibition why not come along to make some noise? What would the rock scene be without the drums? This is your chance to have a go on a full drum kit and try out some different techniques with tips and advice from an expert drummer.
Free admission.
Drop in at any time between 11.00am and 3.00pm

 

Thursday 15 April

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

‘I do like to be beside the seaside’ for Easter.
Outdoor activities for families. Fun and games with Hampshire Wildlife Trust.
Free admission
Drop in anytime between 11.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Thursday 15 April

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on ' The Development and Decline of the Dreadnought Battleship’, by David Main, naval historian
£1.00 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Thursday 22 April

City Museum and Records

Art in the 1960s
To accompany the Birth of British Rock exhibition and the Beauty of Shape exhibition join our Head of Collections for a fascinating talk about the art of the 1960s
No need to pre-book
Free admission
2.00pm - 3.00pm

Saturday 24 - Sunday 25 April

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

May

Saturday 8 May and Sunday 9 May

Southsea Castle

Family fun weekend. Special activities during museum opening times.

Wednesday 19 May

City Museum and Records

Portsmouth during the 1960s
To accompany the Birth of British Rock exhibition join our expert in local history for a fascinating talk about Portsmouth in the 1960s.
No need to pre-book
Free admission
2.00pm - 3.00pm

Thursday 20 May

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on AGM followed by ‘Stitched-up – The Corset Industry in Portsmouth’, by Madeleine Selby
Free to members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 May

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

Monday 31 May

D-Day Museum

A chance to meet members of the Portsmouth branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, and chat about their experiences on D-Day and during the 1944 Battle of Normandy.
Usual admission charges apply
11.00am - 3.30pm

June

Tuesday 1 - Friday 4 June

D-Day Museum

A chance to meet members of the Portsmouth branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, and chat about their experiences on D-Day and during the 1944 Battle of Normandy.
Usual admission charges apply
11.00am - 3.30pm

Wednesday 2 June

City Museum and Records

Fun With Photography
Whether you are a beginner or more advanced this workshop will give you plenty of tips and a chance to have a go at some different techniques with a professional photographer. We have some cameras for you to try but please bring your own camera too. The workshop is suitable for both adults and older children.
There is a limit on numbers so please book your place by calling the museum on 023 92827261
Free admission
1.00pm - 3.00pm

Thursday 3 June

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

Outdoor wildlife activities for families
Join the Hampshire Wildlife Trust for outdoor nature activities plus lots of fun and games.
There is a limit on numbers so please book your place by calling the museum on 023 92827261

Wednesday 16 June

Square Tower

A rare chance to see inside one of Portsmouth's oldest and most atmospheric buildings. Over the course of more than 500 years, the Square Tower has had varied roles as part of the city's fortifications, the residence of the governor of Portsmouth, and as a store for gunpowder or meat for the Royal Navy.
The Square Tower is located at Broad Street, Old Portsmouth.
Free admission
4.00pm - 8.00pm

Thursday 17 June

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on ' Neptune Wreck Detectives - Solving D Day Mysteries’ by Alison Mayor - Neptune Wrecks Project Leader.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Thursday 17 June - Sunday 20 June

Portsmouth City Museum Gardens

The Comedy of Errors - Shakespeare's Globe on Tour
Open-air and performed on an Elizabethan-inspired stage, fast, furious and extremely funny, eight talented actors reinvent renaissance touring theatre for the 21st century with Shakespeare's greatest farce. 2009 winner of the Guide Award for Best Professional Production for A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Thurs at 7.30pm, Fri at 1.30pm & 7.30pm,
Sat at 7.30pm and Sun at 3pm
Tickets £15 (£10 concessions) currently available from the New Theatre Royal, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2DD Box Office : telephone 023 9264 9000

 
 

Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 June

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

July

Wednesday 14 July

Square Tower

A rare chance to see inside one of Portsmouth's oldest and most atmospheric buildings. Over the course of more than 500 years, the Square Tower has had varied roles as part of the city's fortifications, the residence of the governor of Portsmouth, and as a store for gunpowder or meat for the Royal Navy.
The Square Tower is located at Broad Street, Old Portsmouth.
Free admission
4.00pm - 8.00pm

Thursday 15 July

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on ' The Guermonprez Natural History Collection’ by Claire Lucas, Curator of Natural Science.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 24 - Sunday 25 July

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

August

Monday 2 - Friday 27 August (weekdays only)

D-Day Museum

A chance to meet members of the Portsmouth branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, and chat about their experiences on D-Day and during the 1944 Battle of Normandy. Monday to Friday only. Please contact the D-Day Museum before your visit (tel. 023 9282 7261) to ensure that the veterans are able to come to the museum on that particular day.
Usual admission charges apply
11.00am - 3.30pm

Tuesday 3 August - Thursday 26 August (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only)

City Museum and Records

Out to Lunch
Join us for a summer of fabulous free family fun. From children's entertainers to craft and birds of prey there's always plenty to do. This year watch out for the Alien Invaders and lots of Sci-Fi treats. Details to follow.

Thursday 19 August

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture by Eileen Norris, local historian.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 28 August and Sunday 29 August

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

A chance to find out more about the Portsmouth Reptile and Amphiobian Society and about how to care for more exotic pets. See displays and live specimens.
Free admission
10.00am - 5.00pm

September

Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 September

Different venues

Heritage Open Days
A chance to look behind the scenes and visit a range of sites of interest. Watch this space for further details.

Thursday 16 September

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on ‘The History of Dolls and Porcelain Doll ' by Mary Tunnell - Collector.

Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 September

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

October

Thursday 21 October

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture. Speaker to be confirmed.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Monday 25 - Friday 29 October

D-Day Museum

A chance to meet members of the Portsmouth branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, and chat about their experiences on D-Day and during the 1944 Battle of Normandy.
Usual admission charges apply
11.00am - 3.30pm

Saturday 30 - Sunday 31 October

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

November

Thursday 18 November

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture entitled ‘Fares Please! The History of Portsmouth City Transport’ by Eric Watts - Local Historian
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 November

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

December

Thursday 16 December

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture. Speaker to be confirmed.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

www.culture24.org.uk

Check the Culture 24 website for the Latest news, exhibition reviews, links, listings and education resources from thousands of UK museums, galleries, archives and libraries, all in one place.

Line

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

Portsmouth Museums Portal
Visit the City Museums site
Visit the Natural History Museum Site
Visit the Southsea Castle site
Visit the Records Office site
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Visit the Museums Shop site
Visit the D-Day Museum site