As an island with a long seafaring tradition, both trading and as a colonial power, Britain is rich in maritime history and heritage. All around our coastline, there are reminders of the country’s nautical legacy and our relationship with the sea.

 They endure in the form of maritime museums,once-thriving docks and ports now preserved as heritageareas, mighty naval dockyards surplus to requirementsin the modern world and historic boats and ships which have survived the ravages of time, neglect, war and the scrapyard.

With the sea being our only link with other countries until we could take to the skies, it is unsurprising that it is etched so deeply in our psyche and in our souls. And less surprising still that the nation’s favourite hero, Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, is glorified in London’s best-known monument in the centre of Trafalgar Square – itself named after his most famous naval victory, against the French, in 1805.

Fittingly, his flagship, HMS Victory, is today the centrepiece of one of Britain’s top visitor attractions: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

So it also makes sense for us to start our tour of the country’s maritime heritage at the historic home of the Royal Navy, where almost two-thirds of its surface ships are still based today.

portsmouth

Nowhere can you feel Britain’s close association with the sea more than at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It was in June 1911 that the Dockyard Museum was opened by King George V, a treasure house of naval objects displayed in the space now occupied by the Victory Restoration Workshop.

While some of the original objects were sent to the new National Maritime Museum in Greenwich upon its opening in 1937, many figureheads and other key items remained and now form part of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, located opposite HMS Victory in the Victory Gallery.

Launched in 1765 at Chatham, HMS Victory is the Royal Navy’s most celebrated warship and the world’s oldest commissioned ship. Visitors can explore the ship and see the Great Cabin, where the Battle of Trafalgar was planned, as well as the spot where Nelson died.

This year marks another major milestone at the dockyard – the 150th anniversary of HMS Warrior, the world’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship, which was powered by steam and sail. It is now called HMS Warrior 1860, marking its launch on December 29, 1860, although it was commissioned in August, 1861. Restored and returned to its home port 23 years ago, the ship vividly portrays the life of a Victorian sailor.

Yet another significant anniversary is being celebrated by Tudor warship the Mary Rose, with 2011 marking 500 years since it was commissioned by King Henry VIII. Raised from the seabed in 1982 in front of a global TV audience of 60 million, having sunk in battle
with the French in 1545 in view of the king, the ship has been undergoing conservation ever since.

A new £35 million museum is currently under construction to house the ship, so the vessel will not be on view until it opens in mid-2012. However, you can still see the amazing artefacts recovered intact from the wreck in the existing museum.

Visit the sail-shaped Spinnaker Tower for the best views over the adjacent historic dockyard.

Nearby Gosport is home to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, where exhibits include HMS Alliance, commissioned in 1947, and the Royal Navy’s first submarine, Holland 1, which first sailed in 1901. Lost while being towed to the breakers’ yard in 1913, the wreck of Holland 1 was discovered and salvaged 69 years later. It is now housed in a special dehumidified gallery following an extensive restoration project completed in its centenary year.

greenwich

The importance of Maritime Greenwich is underlined by its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, granted in 1997. Besides its royal associations with Tudor and Stuart sovereigns as well as its pivotal position in the world of science, Greenwich has played a key role in Britain’s sea power for over 400 years.

Over the centuries, it saw the establishment of the Royal Hospital for Seamen and associated school (from 1696-1869), the Royal Naval College (1872-1998), the Dreadnought Seamen’s Hospital (from 1870 until the 1980s) and the National Maritime Museum.

Around £200 million worth of investment and £70 million in grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund have underpinned regeneration since 1997, which has included the opening up of the Royal Naval College to the public.

The world’s largest maritime museum with a collection totalling almost 2.5 million items, the National Maritime Museum includes a narrative and interactive Nelson display which depicts the Battle of Trafalgar, his death, funeral and commemoration in London. Nelson’s Trafalgar coat, with the hole made by the fatal French musket ball, is currently undergoing essential conservation but will go back on display in the summer.

Among popular things you can see at the museum currently are the state barge of Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales and son of King George II; The Bridge simulator, in which visitors can try their hand at captaining a ship; and the All Hands interactive gallery for children of all ages.

A major new wing, the Sammy Ofer Wing, opens in summer 2011 to create a new south entrance, interactive galleries and substantial new space for special exhibitions.

Following its disastrous fire in 2007, venerable tea clipper Cutty Sark is being restored to its former glory with a glazed viewing gallery underneath thanks to a £46 million funding package, and is due to open in time for the 2012 Olympics.

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