Devonport Naval Heritage Centre
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Plymouth
What it’s like
Free naval history museum with guided tours through Devonport Dockyard's story, open just two slots a week.
This is a proper local history stop rather than a big-budget museum, and that's part of the charm. Guides who clearly know their stuff take you through Devonport's story, the Royal Navy's, and the Dockyard's, with a Battle of Jutland exhibition as one of the highlights. It's all indoors, so a wet Wednesday doesn't put you off.
The catch is timing. It's only open on Wednesdays and the second Saturday of the month, 10am to 3pm, with last entry at 1:15pm, so this needs a bit of planning rather than a spontaneous drop-in. From November through February it shuts to general visitors altogether unless you've arranged a booking beforehand, so this is really a spring-to-autumn plan.
Entry is free, which is generous given the guided tours on offer, though a donation is appreciated and they'll only take cash or a BACS transfer, no cards. There's a café on site and parking is free, both on the grounds and on the hardstanding across the road by Bonaventure House. One genuine faff: Google Maps directions are known to be wrong, so you need to turn left at the bottom of Granby Way to actually find the place rather than trusting the app.
Groups with a special interest can also arrange guided tours outside the normal hours by emailing ahead, which is worth knowing if you fancy a more tailored visit than the general Wednesday slot.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 1:15pm (last entry is 45 minutes before closing at 3pm)
- Parking
- Free parking available on site and across the road on hardstanding adjacent to Bonaventure House
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bus stops Granby Way and Park Avenue served by services 5, 5a, 21, 21a (frequent) and 34, 70, 71 (less frequent)
- Worth knowing
- Free entry, donation appreciated
- Cash or BACS only, no card payments accepted
- Closed November to February except by prior booking
- Buses 5, 5a, 21 and 21a run frequently to the nearby stops, about a 600 yard walk
- Special interest groups can arrange a guided tour outside normal hours by emailing ahead
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It's free to get in, though they do appreciate a donation. They only take cash or BACS transfer, no cards.
Do we need to book?
No booking needed for the normal Wednesday or second-Saturday sessions. Outside those hours, groups can arrange a guided tour by emailing ahead.
What are the opening hours?
Wednesdays and the second Saturday of each month, 10am to 3pm, with last entry at 1:15pm.
Is it open all year?
It closes to general visitors from November to February unless you've arranged a visit in advance.
Is there parking?
Free parking on site and across the road on the hardstanding by Bonaventure House.
How do we find it?
Google Maps directions are known to send people the wrong way. Turn left at the bottom of Granby Way to reach the Centre.
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