We’ve been showing people the ropes for generations. Rope has been made at Chatham Dockyard for 400 years, miles upon miles of rope that has rigged the mightiest vessels ever to take to sea, including Nelson’s Victory.
Today Chatham is the only one of the original four Royal Navy Ropeyards to remain in operation and, together with its related buildings, forms the finest integrated group of 18th century manufacturing buildings in Britain.
The ancient craft of rope making still takes place daily, using traditional techniques mastered centuries ago. We call these special artisan craftsmen and women the MASTER ROPEMAKERS.
Master Ropemakers is a traditional manufacturing company offering bespoke design and manufacture. From garden projects and home renovations to dog leads and artwork, visit the Master Ropemakers website or give us a call (01634 823890) to discuss your requirements. Next day delivery is available.
Join us in a brand-new gallery for an atmospheric journey through the lives of Ropery workers, past and present, before stepping out onto the iconic ropewalk and witnessing ropemaking in action.
Immersive film, hands-on interactives, and displays, including a vast collection of ropemaking and rope related objects from the Museum of Knots & Sailor’s Ropework, tell the story of rope and its place in British history, with over 400 years rooted in Chatham.
Follow the progress of our new gallery developments through our latest blog posts…
We have selected innovative creative studio Lima, based in Nottingham, for the exciting redesign of the Ropery Gallery.
The new gallery will double capacity to this part of the Dockyard, meaning even more visitors can learn the ropes.
Discover how an object goes from arriving at the Dockyard to being safely ready to display within a gallery.
Once upon a time in the Ropery women were kept away from the men. However Leanne Clark became the first female ropemaker where for, over 400 years, the Rope Walk was a male only domain.
Let’s meet the man behind the Museum of Knots & Sailor’s Ropework, Des Pawson MBE, who has collected rope for over 40-years. Des himself is a rope expert and artist.
We officially ‘cut the rope’ and opened our new Ropery Gallery which ties together the amazing stories of the people whose lives are intertwined with the production of rope at Chatham.
Master Ropemakers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, continues to use the skills and tradition of 400 years of rope making to supply today’s business and leisure markets.
In some cases their use has changed little in 400 years, with Master Ropemakers supplying many of the world’s historic sailing ships with their rope needs – from Gannet, Cutty Sark and Victory in Britain, to the Australian barque Endeavour.
Master Ropemakers also supplies a wide range of non-maritime customers – from aviaries to zoos. Our customers include film production companies, theatres, interior designers, garden designers, sports clubs & gymnasiums, adventure playgrounds, churches and cricket clubs.
Get roped in
