About

Visit the award-winning Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and explore the fascinating world of naval warfare.

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower is a hands on, interactive Museum set in the historic setting of a former gunpowder and munitions depot at Priddy’s Hard, on the Gosport side of Portsmouth Harbour. It's part of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and therefore free to visit with your Ultimate Explorer ticket. You can also get into the museum with a One- or Three-Attraction ticket.

Immerse yourself in the world of weaponry and firearms, learning of the damage that was done by its collection of guns, cannons, torpedoes, modern missiles, and even a nuclear bomb. At the former 18th century armament depot which now houses the museum you can hear the incredible personal stories of those who handled these weapons, including the 662 female munition workers who played a crucial part in the First World War, preparing weapons that helped to win battles.

Dodge mines in an underwater seabed and see what a moving gun deck looks like. Younger visitors can take part in the museum’s fun dress-up challenge. Original footage and historical personal accounts can be seen through the museum’s interactive touch screens.

About the Priddy's Hard site

Priddy’s Hard was far enough from the main dockyard for the safe storage of up to 6,500 barrels of gunpowder. In the Napoleonic Wars, this was where all Royal Navy warships including HMS Victory came to load up their guns and ammunition, collecting them from small boats called ‘powder hoys’ which had in turn collected barrels of gunpowder carried in barrows down the Rolling Way to the harbour edge.

The site has adapted as times have changed. With the introduction of breech loading guns in the late 1850s, it was no longer necessary to make barrels or test gunpowder here and a series of large magazines were built to fill and store shells. In the 1880s, the substitution of highly explosive cordite for gunpowder as a propellant required the building of a narrow gauge railway to transport ordnance between filling and storage buildings. Change continued through the 20th century with the development of torpedoes, depth charges and small arms up to the arrival of guided missiles in the 1960s. The last time Priddy’s Hard supplied weapons to the Royal Navy was during the Falklands War in 1982.

Camber Lights Café

Enjoy one of Gosport's best kept secrets when you visit Camber Lights Café at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower. Sit back and admire the scenic surroundings of Portsmouth Harbour - an ideal viewpoint for seeing HMS Queen Elizabeth when she's alongside Portsmouth Naval Base. 

The café - which is open to all - serves a range of cold and hot drinks, plus cakes and snacks that are perfect for hungry adventurers.