Submarine Guided Tours

The Museum will be closed for just one day on Monday 24 June due to vital conservation work.

Go onboard an actual submarine with a submariner to hear his stories about living beneath the waves. 

Led by our experienced submariner guides, you will be taken through HMS Alliance, the only British walkthrough surviving WW2 era submarine in Europe. This fascinating A class submarine was commissioned and designed in 1945 as WW2 came to a close for service in the Far East. She was launched in 1947 but is typical of the submarines that served throughout WW2. Alliance herself saw service throughout the Cold War years.

Each Guide has his own individual unique take on life onboard. All our guides served in the Royal Navy submarine service and some even on HMS Alliance herself.  The Guided Tours last 45 minutes and take the visitor through from the “for ends”, through the living quarters, the control room , the engine room and finally into the “after ends”.

All tours must be booked on arrival at reception. Please note in very busy periods, Guided Tours may not be available. However access to HMS Alliance will still be possible under a “freeflow” system. All tours are included free with a valid museum ticket.

HMS Alliance is currently undergoing a major conservation programme so access may be disrupted. Any closure days of HMS Alliance will be clearly stated on this website. Check here for any planned closures. If HMS Alliance is closed, submariner led Guided Tours of Holland 1, the Royal navy's very first submarine built in 1901 and the X-24, the only surviving midget submarine from WW2 will be available instead.

Other Guided Tours

For prebooked groups of 10 persons or more, it is possible to book the following extra submariner led Guided Tours:

Submariner’s Memorial Chapel and Wyllie Tour at Fort Blockhouse

HMS Dolphin was the home to the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service for most of the first 100years of the RN submarine service from 1904 – 1999. Now known as Fort Blockhouse, take a tour with a submariner  of their former base and visit the Submarine Memorial Chapel, the 19^th century ramparts and the Harold Wyllie paintings in the Officer’s Mess.

This tour is by special arrangement with our neighbours in Fort Blockhouse which is a secure MOD base. Hence availablity is restricted and at the discretion of the MOD. Security procedures must be followed and are advised at the time of booking. Donations to support the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal are welcome.