Nowhere is the experience of life during the heyday of the Age of Sail more alive than in the Command of the Oceans galleries. Discover how ships, including HMS Victory, were designed and built.  Immerse yourself in the vivid Hearts of Oak walking cinema and explore four superb interactive galleries.

Command of the Oceans reveals the full dockyard story, thrilling archaeology and long-hidden objects for the first time. It tells powerful, compelling stories of innovation and craftsmanship. It shows how Chatham Dockyard and its people helped lead Britain to worldwide influence. It features two internationally significant maritime archaeological discoveries – the timbers of the Namur (1756), intriguingly laid to rest beneath the floor of the old Wheelwrights’ workshop, and an incredible treasure trove of archaeological objects recovered from the sea bed, from the Invincible (1758).

For your safety, and in line with the latest COVID-19 government guidelines, things are a little bit different to normal and there are a few changes to how you’ll explore our 80-acre site. Please read our KNOW BEFORE YOU GO page for the latest information.

Join retired Master Shipwright, John North, as he relives his role as the Valiant’s Carpenter and encourages his Grandson to follow in his footsteps. What will the young man do? Become a Shipwright like his Grandfather – or follow his instincts and join the Royal Navy to be like Nelson?

Dive into the story of the dockyard’s 2,500 strong workforce during the Age of Sail and the crucial, pivotal part they played in maintaining Britain’s command of the world’s oceans. Discover who they were, how much they earned and what they did.

Get hands-on with key trades and have some green screen fun as you step into the 18th century dockyard.

Walk around the fascinating, larger than life model of HMS VICTORY.  Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, is an icon for both British sea power of the Age of Sail and for Chatham built ships. Built here between 1759 and 1765, the Victory returned to Chatham for major repairs both before and after Trafalgar.

The Victory model has been a star in its own right – used in the 1941 film ‘That Hamilton Woman.’

Be moved by the story of HMS NAMUR, the ‘ship beneath the floor’. A unique archaeological find – over 10% of the frame of this 90-gun ship was discovered beneath five layers of floor of the Wheelwrights Shop in 1995.

Descend to the Namur’s final resting place, where the timbers are preserved, evocatively lit and interpreted. Find out what the archaeologists have discovered from them; explore their importance to the Age of Sail story at Chatham and the moving stories of those who served on board. 

Turn detective and ask the intriguing question – why are the timbers buried here?