Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery

01/09/2026

IMPORTANT: Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is now closed for redevelopment and will reopen in late October with our exciting new exhibition, "Portsmouth100: Your museum. Your stories. Your city." https://portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/events/your-museum-your-stories-your-city/

A huge thank you to everyone who visited us over the summer — the museum was wonderfully busy!

Keep an eye on our events taking place at other sites during this period. Did you know that you can visit Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum every day during Heritage Open Days ? (11-20 September) https://portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/what-to-see-do/events/

We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back soon!

28/08/2026

🦄 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! The Unicorn from the Pride of Portsmouth Trail is settling in beautifully at the Museum! Make sure to stop by and spot it while you can.

🚨 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧: This is the last weekend before we close throughout September and October to prepare for our exciting new exhibition, "Portsmouth100: Your Museum. Your Stories. Your City."

Before then, why not make the most of the bank holiday weekend and enjoy:
☕ Our café
🛍️ The Museum shop
🌳 Our beautiful garden with outdoor games
🦁 The Lion Trail Gallery
✨ Fun, Fear & Familiarity: VE in 80 Objects exhibition
💃 Whispers from the Dance Floor exhibition

Don't miss your chance to visit before our temporary closure. We look forward to welcoming you this weekend. 😊

27/08/2026

🌟 Volunteer Opportunity available at Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery !

We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to support our "Portsmouth100: Your Museum. Your stories. Your city" major exhibition opening in October 2026, marking 100 years of Portsmouth's city status and celebrating the stories, people, and places that make our city unique.

By becoming a volunteer, you'll join our Portsmouth100 Exhibition Team and help create a welcoming, engaging, and memorable experience for visitors within the exhibition's galleries and as part of our exciting range of engagement activities. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a high-profile cultural project, meet new people, and play a key role in bringing Portsmouth’s rich history and stories to life!

You can find out all the details and how to apply here: https://portsmouthmuseum.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

Portsmouth100 exhibition is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

26/08/2026

Looking for a fun afternoon activity for the family? We have the Victory Model Railway Club here today and vintage bus rides along the seafront by the CPPTD -City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot.

21/08/2026

Who Makes Your Pompey? Come along to our FREE Portsmouth100 doll-making workshop at Pic Nic in the Park in Drayton Park this Sunday 23rd August (11am to 2pm).

Create a doll celebrating someone who has made Portsmouth special to you, whether that's a local hero, teacher, neighbour, coach, friend or family member. Your dolls will be featured in the Portsmouth100 exhibition at Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery (opening in October 2026)

Plus enjoy community stalls, children's activities, a dog show, BBQ, refreshments, a raffle and more!

This workshop was made possible by National Lottery players. The National Lottery Heritage Fund

17/08/2026

🌿 Become a Nature Champion this summer! 🌿

Join Mathilde from Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery and Hannah from PCC Parks and Gardens for a FREE morning or afternoon of wildlife and art activities in your local park.

🐦 Bird watching
🔎 Wildlife scavenger hunt
🎨 Landscape drawing and colouring
🌼 Nature bracelets and badges
All equipment provided!

📅 Wednesday 19 August 2026:
📍 Milton Park (Southsea PO4 8PR, entrance closest to Beddow Library)| 10:30am-12:30pm
📍 Paulsgrove Park (Allaway Avenue, Portsmouth PO6 4AS): 1:30 - 3:30 pm

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

To find out more about web accessibility, and the accessibility features of this site, please visit our web accessibility page.

03/08/2026

You are invited to a free Afternoon Talk at Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery - 5th August 2026 at 12:30-1:30pm

My Family and Other Doctors by Kent Parson

Kent offers an insight into his 19th century family roots in Portsmouth – a history involving the church, the British East India Company, a shipwreck, persecution, an inventor, an eminent Doctor, a massacre and the Battle of Southsea.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

03/08/2026

The Tudors have taken over Southsea Castle!
Join us for Tudor Fest with The Mary Rose with lots of activities to enjoy! 🏰

02/08/2026

Good news! We are open every day (including Monday) during the school holidays, between 10:00 and 17:00 (last entry 16:30), FREE entry for everyone (donations are welcome):

✨ Explore our museum galleries
🦁 Discover the Pride of Portsmouth lions' designs and meet Dazzle the Lion in our Museum's garden
🛍️ Browse our museum shop
☕ Enjoy a visit to our café
⚽ Challenge friends and family to a game of table football or table tennis in our outdoor playground area

We can't wait to see you!