Kent


<p>Few places bring Britain’s maritime story to life quite like <a href="https://thedockyard.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Historic Dockyard Chatham</a>. Set across 80 acres of working heritage buildings, historic ships and atmospheric waterfront spaces, this remarkable site blends hands-on family adventures, world-class exhibitions and behind-the-scenes history in one unforgettable day out.</p>



<p>Whether you’re planning a school-holiday adventure, a culture-filled weekend or simply looking for somewhere different to explore this summer, the Dockyard offers far more than you might expect and with an annual ticket granting year-round access, it’s a destination worth returning to again and again.</p>



<p>Here are five brilliant reasons to visit this season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-step-into-storybook-adventure">1. STEP INTO STORYBOOK ADVENTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Jack-Nancy-Matthew-Walker-44.jpg" alt="chatham historic dockyard" class="wp-image-123699" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Jack-Nancy-Matthew-Walker-44.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Jack-Nancy-Matthew-Walker-44-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Jack-Nancy-Matthew-Walker-44-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Jack-Nancy-Matthew-Walker-44-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Jack-Nancy-Matthew-Walker-44-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Quentin Blake ©️ 1969</figcaption></figure>



<p>This spring and early summer, you can quite literally walk into a story as <a href="https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/jack-and-nancys-dockyard-adventure-by-quentin-blake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and Nancy – A Dockyard Adventure</a> transforms the Dockyard into an immersive world inspired by beloved illustrator Quentin Blake from <strong>2 May &#8211; 21 June</strong>. Young explorers follow Jack and Nancy’s extraordinary journey through real historic spaces, diving into imaginative scenes that include stormy seas, tropical islands and even an underwater world. Along the way, children can learn real sailor skills aboard HMS Gannet while completing activities in their own illustrated Adventure Journal, a keepsake designed to spark creativity long after the visit ends. It’s playful, imaginative, brilliantly hands-on and included in the admission price.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-see-a-world-class-exhibition">2. SEE A WORLD-CLASS EXHIBITION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Ocean-Photographer-of-the-Year-Exhibition-Oliver-Dixon-128.jpg" alt="ocean photographer of the year exhibition" class="wp-image-123665" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Ocean-Photographer-of-the-Year-Exhibition-Oliver-Dixon-128.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Ocean-Photographer-of-the-Year-Exhibition-Oliver-Dixon-128-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Ocean-Photographer-of-the-Year-Exhibition-Oliver-Dixon-128-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Ocean-Photographer-of-the-Year-Exhibition-Oliver-Dixon-128-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Ocean-Photographer-of-the-Year-Exhibition-Oliver-Dixon-128-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Prepare to see the ocean in an entirely new light as the UK debut of the <a href="https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/ocean-photographer-of-the-year-exhibition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Photographer of the Year</a> exhibition arrives, available to explore <strong>until 31 Aug</strong>. Featuring 116 award-winning images selected from more than 15,000 global entries, this breathtaking showcase celebrates the beauty, drama and fragility of our blue planet. Expect intimate portraits of tiny marine creatures, sweeping underwater landscapes and powerful human stories connected to the sea. Perfect for photography lovers, nature enthusiasts and curious families alike.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-discover-hidden-history-after-hours">3. DISCOVER HIDDEN HISTORY AFTER HOURS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Air-Raid-Shelter-1.jpg" alt="air raid shelter" class="wp-image-123671" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Air-Raid-Shelter-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Air-Raid-Shelter-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Air-Raid-Shelter-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Air-Raid-Shelter-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Air-Raid-Shelter-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>As evening falls over the River Medway and the crowds disperse, the Dockyard reveals a very different side of itself. Available only on Friday and Saturday evenings during May, the <a href="https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/hidden-dockyard-tour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hidden Dockyard Tour</a> invites you beyond the usual routes and past the “No Entry” signs for a rare look at spaces normally closed to the public. Led by expert guides, this intimate after-hours walk explores secret shelters, historic workshops and atmospheric corners that played vital roles in centuries of naval power. From the Air Raid Shelter to the Commissioner’s Gardens and historic Reading Room, it’s history at its most atmospheric.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-walk-onto-a-tv-set">4. WALK ONTO A TV SET</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/call-the-midwife.jpg" alt="call the midwife" class="wp-image-123667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/call-the-midwife.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/call-the-midwife-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/call-the-midwife-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/call-the-midwife-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/call-the-midwife-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Fans of the hugely popular BBC drama <em>Call the Midwife</em> can step straight into Poplar with the world’s only official location tour. From now til October, step onto the set with the <a href="https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/call-the-midwife-official-location-tour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Call the Midwife Official Location Tour</a>. While the series is set in London’s East End, many of its most recognisable outdoor scenes are filmed right here at the Dockyard. Guided by a costumed midwife, visitors explore filming locations, discover behind-the-scenes secrets and visit an exclusive gallery showcasing original props, costumes and set pieces. New for 2026, displays include Nancy’s vibrant wedding outfit from Series 14.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-experience-living-industrial-heritage">5. EXPERIENCE LIVING INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/historic-dockyard-chatham-trains.jpg" alt="overlord locomotive" class="wp-image-123669" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/historic-dockyard-chatham-trains.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/historic-dockyard-chatham-trains-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/historic-dockyard-chatham-trains-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/historic-dockyard-chatham-trains-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/historic-dockyard-chatham-trains-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>History comes alive on <a href="https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/railway-operating-days-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Railway Operating Days</a> (2, 3, 23 &amp; 24 May) where heritage diesel locomotive Overlord rumbles back into action, recreating the sights and sounds of the Dockyard’s once-vast industrial railway network. Watch the locomotive pass the site’s historic ships, chat with knowledgeable volunteers and peek inside the loco shed to learn how this remarkable heritage fleet is maintained. It’s a rare chance to experience working industrial history in motion, and a fascinating highlight for visitors of all ages. Included in your admission ticket. </p>


5 reasons to visit Historic Dockyard Chatham this summer

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