News & Events
Events
The Royal Navy Submarine Museum strives to organise a number of public events throughout the year that enhance our collections and allow visitors to explore the museum in a different light. Events details are being updated constantly. To keep updated with all of events, please sign up for the events E newsletter or find us on facebook and twitter. You can book tickets online here
Talks and Tours
Saturday 3 March
Mini Navy Heritage Open Day at Fort Blockhouse & HMS Sultan in aid of the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal
Submariner’s Memorial Chapel and Wylie Tour at Fort Blockhouse
10am, 11am, 2.30pm & 3.30pm
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 19th century ramparts and the Harold Wylie paintings in the Officer’s Mess.
Tickets: Minimum donation £5 per person. Children (under 15yrs) are free
All proceeds will go towards the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal.
Bookings must be made in advance by calling 023 9251 0354 ext 240 or online at www.submarine-museum.co.uk Bookings close on Thursday 1 March
HMS Sultan Behind the Scenes - Fort Rowner, Fleet Air Arm Aircraft & Airfield and Marine Engineering Museum Tour 9am & 1.30pm
The HMS SULTAN site has been home to all three branches of the armed forces. See behind the scenes and hear the history of the Army, RAF and Navy on this fascinating site where submariners are trained today.
Fort Rowner and Fort Grange were home to the Army from 1862 until the First World War and then became an airfield used for pilot training. After the war, the RAF developed the airfield further and it was used jointly with the Royal Navy. After the Second World War the Fleet Air Arm took charge until it was closed in 1956. HMS SULTAN was then formed for training Royal Navy marine engineers.
Tickets: Minimum donation £5 per person. Children (under 15yrs) are free
All proceeds will go towards the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal.
Bookings must be made in advance by calling 023 9251 0354 ext 240 or online at www.submarine-museum.co.uk Bookings close on Thursday 1 March
Thursday 19 April 7pm
Submarine Accidents in Peacetime and Submarine Rescue Systems
Speaker – Dickie Burston
This illustrated talk, in aid of the Alliance Appeal, will cover some historical accidents, rescue attempts, rescue system development over the last 75 years and international cooperation that is key to capability for all nations today.
Tickets: £8, Friends, SA members £7 per person
All profits will go to support the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal
Bookings can be made in advance
Thursday 17 May 7pm
HMS CONQUEROR’s 90 Day Falklands War Patrol – 4 April to 3 July 1982
Speaker: Vice Admiral Sir Tim McClement KCB OBE – HMS CONQUEROR’s Second in Command in 1982
at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Sailing with Special Forces, the crew of HMS Conqueror mindset was changed from Cold War to fighting a conventional war.
Hear firsthand how Conqueror survived damage by ice-flows, the sinking of BELGRANO, being depth-charged, attacked by torpedo-carrying aircraft and operating inside San Matias Bay in Argentina.
Back by popular demand and the only place during Falklands 30 outside of London to hear this amazing historic talk!
Tickets: £8, Friends & SA members £7 per person
All profits will go to support the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal
Bookings can be made in advance.
Thursday 21 June 7pm
The Falklands War – A Close Run Thing
Speaker: Cdr Jeff Tall OBE RN
An all-arms battle fought by British forces 8,000 miles from home against a well dug-in foe. With no early warning aircraft, improvisation and extreme courage were the order of the day. A personal perspective from Commander Jeff Tall OBE RN, Submarine Staff Officer to the Task Group Commander during the Falklands Conflict and former Director of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.
Tickets: £8, Friends & SA members £7 per person
All profits will go to support the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal
Bookings can be made in advance
Thursday 19 July 7pm
Eric –Tales of the Sea
A very funny one man show by ex submariner Glenn Barrack now a successful comedian. “A quietly wonderful show” The Times
Tickets: £8, Friends & SA members £7 per person
All proceeds from talks and tours go towards Saving HMS Alliance Appeal.
Save money & reserve your seat by joining our TT Talk Club! All profits to go to the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal.
2012 Summer TTT Season tickets (entrance to all 4 talks) £20 pp, Friends £18
Membership: £20pp, Friends & SA: £18pp
- Includes entrance to each talk during the Summer Third Season Talk Season
- Ability to reserve your seat at each talk – get the front rows every time!
- Advance booking notice for future talks and other Saving HMS Alliance Appeal events
To book call 023 92 510354 ext 244 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Saturday 10 September
Gosport Heritage Open Days
Submariner’s Memorial Chapel and Wylie Tour 10am, 11am, 2.30pm & 3.30pm
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 19th century ramparts and the Harold Wylie paintings in the Officer’s Mess.
Free
Places are limited so please book in advance by calling 023 9251 0354 ext 240 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Ticket also includes a Half Price offer* to visit HMS Alliance and the museum between 10/09/11 - 21/10/11.
Family Events
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 December 10am – 4pm
Submarine Santa
Today, in these days of satellite navigation and tracking systems, Father Christmas likes to remain secretive as he travels around the world delivering presents. He now uses a submarine!
Meet Santa, his elves and his submariner helpers, take a ride on his Santa train, explore his submarine and help the elves to get ready for the big day.
Free gift for every child.
Tickets Advanced £9, Family (max 4 persons) £24
On the door £10, Family £30 Please call 023 9251 0354 ext 240 to book or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Under 3’s are FREE.
Educational Events
School Holiday Events:
February Half Term - Love is all around us!
Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 February
From the Depths of my Heart!
Fall in love with the beautiful objects and cards which submariners have presented to their loved ones and make your own maritime themed Valentine Card to send to your own special person.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Thursday 16 February 12 noon – 3.30pm
Spooning on a Submarine
Love is all around us! Join artist Olivia Keith for a drop in fun workshop decorating spoons and making cards to give to a loved one and discover the “love spoons” made by submariners for their sweethearts back home.
A love spoon is a spoon decoratively carved that was traditionally presented as a romantic gift. The lovespoon dates back to the 17th century.
It was presented to a young girl by her suitor so that the Father could see the intricacy of the carving and know that he was capable of work and providing for a family.Sailors would often carve love spoons during their long journeys, which is why the anchor would often be incorporated into the design.
Submariners would often “borrow” the spoons from the Officers mess and carve their submarine out of the spoon. They would be presented to wives and girlfriends on their return.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Easter Holidays
Thursday 5 April 11am – 3pm
Pesky Pests
Pets were banned on submarines but that didn’t stop some uninvited guests finding their way on board. You can come meet some of those stowaways up close!
From Animal Encounters stroke those reckless rats, cute cockroaches, the giant millipede, the giant snail, and the bearded dragon. From Blue Reef Aquarium meet their own underwater pets and hear all about their most horrible habits! Then get get crafty and create your own pesky pet by making a cockroach in a box. Lovely!
Free with a valid museum ticket
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 April 11am – 3pm
Beastly Bug Trail
The cockroaches have hatched out of their eggs and escaped in the museum! Dress up in our cockroach costumes then follow the Cockroach Trail.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Thursday 12 April 11am - 3pm
Dastardly Dive Science Show
Visitors of all ages will be captivated by this explosive show, presented by big bangs expert, James Soper. He aims to bring the house down and will demonstrate the extreme pressures submarines experience underwater by using eggs, balloons, spud guns and explosives! Then join our fun lab and do your own experiments. Try everything from stopping your submarine sinking to making your own gases.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Summer Half Term
Thursday 7 June 11am - 3pm
Foul Food
Come and find out when submariners eat “elephants’ footprints” and “babies’ heads” and watch chef, Sarah Clemence cooking up a storm when she demonstrates some foul food recipes for you to try at home. Then get crafty and create your own gruesome grub recipes in our hands-on workshop.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Summer Holidays
Every Thursday from 26 July – 23 August from 11am – 3pm
Submarine Kids Bookfest
Every Thurday come onboard for some wordy play. Meet the bestselling authors, get crafty, see puppets and hear stories for extra family summer fun.
All events free with a valid museum ticket.
Buy our 2 year pass and enjoy our event free for 2 years!!!
Thursday 26 July
Hooray for Heroes featuring John Dougherty
Celebrate the Olympics like the Ancient Greeks with a fantastic session of stories, magical puppets, songs and silliness.
Meet special guest author, poet, and songwriter, John Dougherty who will be reading extracts from his award winning book “Zeus on the Loose” and some of our own stars, medal winning submariners. End the day with a magical shadow puppet show of stories from Ancient Greece and make some shadow puppets of your own.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Thursday 2 August
Horrible Science of Submarines with Nick Arnold
Best selling Horrible Science author, Nick Arnold has loved working with our submariners to create the new Horrible Science of Submarines exhibition. Come and hear about some of the most gruesome happenings on submarines that he has discovered. Action packed,full of facts plus make your own Horrible Science game - a horrible date not to be missed!!
Free with a valid museum ticket
Thursday 9 August
The Great Escape with Nikalas Catlow and Tim Weston
Mad Scientists v Aliens Under the Ocean is the tale of mad scientists building an underwater machine to escape from the aliens and save the day. Come and join the authors, Nikalas Catlow and Tim Weston for (a Mega Mash-up ?? event or) highly interactive story-telling and be ready to draw your own adventures.
Find out also about some great submarine survival stories and see our objects about escape from the museum’s special collections.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Thursday 16 August
Diaries and Daring Deeds featuring Ian Whybrow
Meet popular funny author of The Little Wolf books that are regularly shown on Channel 4 as an animation as he tells the tales from Little Wolf’s Diary of Daring Deeds. Discover also some of the special diaries kept in the Submarine Museum and find out how to look after your own precious paper based treasures, then get crafty with paper.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Thursday 23 August
Cartoon Capers with Horrible illustrator Tony de Saulles
If you love the drawings in the Horrible Science books, come and meet the man behind the gruesome funny pictures. Join Tony de Saulles at his whacky cartoon workshop. Watch him draw and then create some whacky cartoons of your own and dress up as in pur Horrible Science costime
Free with a valid museum ticket
Autumn Half Term
Saturday 27 - Wednesday 31 October from 10am
Spooky Submarine Tours
Grab your torch and follow our ghostly guide on a spooky tour of WW2 era submarine HMS Alliance. Watch out for the scary bits!!
Tickets: Free with a valid museum ticket
Suitable for ages 5 upwards. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Spooky tour every 2 hours from 10.15am.
Full guided tours of HMS Alliance in between Spooky Tours – families are welcome to take both type of tour if they wish, tour times must be booked on arrival at the ticket office.
Exhibitions
Opens Saturday 31 March, then open everyday.
Horrible Science of Submarines
by Nick Arnold
Subs are cool and exciting…subs are horrible and scary….
Join our young “newbe” submariner Sammie Sardine as he finds out just how smelly submariners were, the ghastly food they ate and how sub loos could turn into poo fountains.
A funny family exhibition looking at the Horrible side of life as a submariner written by the bestselling author of the Horrible Science books, Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Foul Food - On early subs eating underwater could be deeply disgusting. Even when there was enough food it was rarely fresh. Sometimes it was rotten and that was before people started throwing up. No wonder submariners lost weight. Submariners had horrible nick names for meals: Frog in the bog” was “toad in the hole”
Pot mess was a real meal. On HMS Alliance, the air was so clammy that labels peeled off food tins. The cooks didn’t know what was in the tins so they chucked them into the pot mess. Would you fancy spinach custard or beef stew with peaches?
Festering Filth - Sub crews wanted to be clean but freash water was in short supply. That’s why some crewmen never washed or changed their clothes. They were so smelly that when they got home their wives made them undress in the garden and it could take three goes at washing before the clothes became clean.
Sinky Subs - We all need air. Trouble is, the only air underwater is the air in your sub. Sometimes it stank. In 1947 HMS Alliance cruised underwater for thirty days. Imagine sharing a home with 65 stinky men. Imagine you couldn’t open the window...for a month! No wonder some subs banned beans!
Deadly Dives - One of the worse sub dangers was pressure. If your sub sank too deep its hull would be crushed by the weight of the water. A depth of 200 metres could crush a WW2 sub like a tin can.
Opens Saturday 31 March, then open everyday.
Falkland’s 30 – War Patrols
Submariners remember their experiences in a new exhibition.
Ten personal recollections from a variety of submariners who served on the five British submarines sent to the South Atlantic to support the Royal Navy Task Force in 1982, the last major naval war of the 20th Century.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Special Events
Friday 16 March 7pm
HMS Alliance Movie Night Presents: “Above Us the Waves”
Starring John Mills, Donald Sinden and James Robertson-Justice
It’s Submarine Movie Night….a great film, fantastic fish n’ chips and a glass of wine in the company of fine fellows
Above Us the Waves, directed by Ralph Thomas, tells the story of human torpedo and midget submarine attacks on the German battleship Tripitz. It is based on true-life attacks on the Triptiz, first using manned torpedoes (Chariots), and then the Royal Navy’s midget X-Craft submarines in Operation Source. Some of the original equipment was also used in the film. The screenplay was based on the book of the same name by C.E.T Warren and James Benson. A classic to be enjoyed time and time again……especially with submariners!
Please dress appropriately (submariner’s jumper or other….)
All profits will go support the Saving the HMS Alliance Appeal
Tickets: Minimum donation of £15, includes Fish & Chip supper and glass of wine.
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to book your place!
Thursday, 29 March - Time TBA
Nick Arnold Opens Horrible Science of Submarines
Meet best selling author of the Horrible Science books Nick Arnold and illustrator Tony DeSaulles as they open our new family exhibition Horrible Science of Submarines and their new creation “newbe” submariner Sammy Sardine.
Free with a valid museum ticket
Saving HMS Alliance at the London Marathon
As part of the Princes' Forum, we have been lucky enough to secure five places in this year's London Marathon which takes place on 22nd April 2012. Our team (Chris Munns, Paddy Reid, Peter Chilcott, Peter Noblett and Kevan Slimmon) will be pounding the streets of London in the hope that you will give them your pounds to raise funds for the restoration of HMS ALLIANCE.
Support the team with your donations by Text to 70070 quoting SUBS46 with the amount you wish to donate or online at http://www.justgiving.com/alliancelondonmarathon
Thursday, 14 June 7pm
HMS Alliance Appeal Dinner and Auction
at Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval college, Greenwich
Join us for a splendid fundraising dinner and auction in The Painted Hall, probably the finest dining hall in the Western world, which is decorated with stunning paintings by James Thornhill, and is part of the King William Court. In January 1806, the body of Admiral Lord Nelson was brought here to lie in state after his historic victory over Napoleon's fleet at Cape Trafalgar on 21 October 1805.
This lively naval evening will include a money can’t buy auction. All proceeds will go towards the Saving HMS Alliance Appeal which aims to raise funds to save HMS Alliance, the iconic WWII era submarine and memorial to 5,300 submariners who have given their lives in service.
Tickets prices £200 per person (tbc)
All proceeds will go to the Alliance Appeal.
Programme:
7-7.30pm Drinks reception
7.45pm – 3 Course Dinner commences
9.30pm – Alliance Appeal Charity Auction
10.30pm – Carriages
Black Tie
(Programme on the day may differ slightly)
Thursday, 13 September from 6pm
HMS Victory Alliance Appeal Dinner
On board HMS Victory, Portsmouth Naval Base
A rare opportunity to enjoy a sumptuous dinner and fine wines in the unique setting of Admiral Lord Nelson’s Lower Gun Deck in aid of the Alliance Appeal. This lively evening in full naval tradition is completed with a money can’t buy prize auction. All funds raised will help save HMS Alliance, the iconic WW2 submarine which is a memorial to 5,300 submariners who lost their lives.
Programme:
6-7pm Tour of HMS Victory with a Victory Guide
7-7.30pm Pre dinner drinks on the Upper Deck overlooking the modern fleet of the Royal Navy.
7.45pm – 3 Course Dinner commences
9.30pm – Alliance Appeal Charity Auction
10.30pm – Carriages
(Programme on the day may differ slightly)
Black Tie
Tickets £200 pp(tbc)
All proceeds will go to the Alliance Appeal.
The Royal Navy Submarine Museum . Haslar Jetty Road . Gosport . Hampshire . PO12 2AS
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