Group Visits

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to you and all your team for giving Rusthall Cubs such a fantastic weekend again. The Cubs absolutely loved the experience and have already been asking when they can go again! All your team worked so tirelessly to make sure everything ran efficiently, from the catering staff, tour guides to the security officer on board. We would especially like to thank Karen(?) who, stepped in at the last minute to look after us on board the Cavalier Saturday evening. The Cubs have learnt so much from your guides and they kept them engaged and interested so well. Thank you once again. We will most certainly be back in the future.

Our trip was amazing, we could not fault the service beforehand and the treatment we received during our visit. Tracey and Mark were so helpful and informative during Saturday evening and could not have done more for us. Trevor kept us safe and sound and liaised with reception regarding our lunch delivery. Every member of your staff we encountered were so very helpful and attentive to our needs. A special mention must go to Argent in the Wagon Stop Café, he was brilliant with us on Sunday, so helpful and went over and above to make us feel welcome. The sub and ropery tour was so interesting and again presented with enthusiasm and care.

We had an excellent visit thank you, the Cubs really enjoyed every bit. The Sea Cadet lady was brilliant, she knew everything about the ship and the Cubs couldn't catch her out. Mary who took our Ropery tour was hilarious - we ached from laughing so much. Food was great, service was 1st class. We will do this again for sure.

A number of us had visited before but you can’t fail to be amazed by the Dockyards living history, assortment of displays and the sheer length of the ropery as it disappears into the distance.

The weather was amazing and our little band of pirates had a fantastic time. I think the parents enjoyed themselves as well! Pirate Dan and Pirate Izzy were superb and entertained the children really well. Lunch went down a treat too. We'd highly recommend a pirate party to anyone. Thank you all so much.

Just to let you know that our group enjoyed the day at Chatham dockyard very much. I hear nothing but praise from my group. Everyone at Chatham was most helpful and pleasant, from the charming and helpful girl clearing the tables in the cafe to the informative guides who held such a wealth of knowledge. Many of us would have liked time to inspect the marvellous roof timbers from the mezzanine floor but time was of the essence. It will be there for next time we visit.

Ightham Cubs night on the Cavalier had been an extraordinary thrill to our Cubs. The freedom of the ship released that natural enthusiasm that they could no longer contain. I was slightly surprised to see just how enthralled the Cubs were with the tour and talk from our knowledgeable Naval Cadet who gripped the Cubs attention right from the start. Stories of large sowing needles through the noses of those sailors playing dead, in order to escape service, and the ferocity of Gun Fire form the Cavalier’s armaments really appeals to our Cubs. The dockyard staff are ever so friendly, and go to lengths to be helpful. The playground on the Dockyard was an ideal way to absorb the last remnants of energy the cubs had that night. Having the Bridge to ourselves in the Moring was too appealing for any of the Cubs to resist. The cubs assigned themselves positions of Captain, Helmsmen, Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer, and they were all spotting enemy vessels. Cries of Hard To Port, and Open Fire must have been heard around the dockyard.

Just a quick note to say ‘Thank You’ for letting us use The Dockyard for our finishing venue today. Chatham was as splendid as ever despite the awful weather! Please send our gratitude to your hardworking staff who helped to direct the cars in, and to their parking places. Danny and Tom did a Stirling job at the gate and the gentleman whose name I’m sorry I’ve forgotten who helped park them up and who I later met in the gallery. They are a credit to you and I can’t give enough praise of their efforts in what we’re difficult conditions! Thank you once again. Until The Festival of Steam and Transport!

The visit was excellent. From start to finish, the organisation was second to none. Dealing with yourself in relation to the booking and catering organisation was completely hassle free. All our members have said how interesting the day was. The food was superb and the staff could not have been more helpful. The ropery tour was the last thing we did and it was a brilliant finale. In short it was one of the best visits we have been on. You could definitely show The National Trust and English Heritage a thing or two.

Thank you for all your help - we had a wonderful visit to the Dockyard today - everyone remarked on how much they had enjoyed it. We were a little late in arriving as the coach got stuck in traffic on its way to us so you will find a few slightly panicky messages from me on your answerphone where I was trying to let you know! All was well however as we were met by Teresa who quickly and calmly sorted out a slightly amended timetable for us whilst we relaxed with our tea and biscuits. She also did the coach tour around the site and the Call the Midwife tour and she really made both tours come alive for us with her tremendous knowledge and little anecdotes. It was clear that she loves her job. The buffet lunch was also exceptional. It was nice to be able to have the reserved space in the restaurant so we could eat together as a group, and everyone commented on the quality of the sandwiches. The catering staff were also really friendly and helpful. Finally, we were also "relieved" to find that the toilets were nice and clean and such a good idea to have them for ladies or gents! We would definitely recommend a visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard to others.

The visit was a great success. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely and I have had 100% feedback. There is so much to explore and members got to see and explore their personal choices. One or two decided to sit down and sketch and paint and of course the weather was on our side. There were no negative comments at all. Provision for refreshments and lunches were enjoyed by all. The most important comment from our members related to all the staff at The Dockyard, without exception, which was how friendly and helpful everyone was, whether that was on the reception, on the various vessels or in the refreshment areas. So a big thank you to you all for making our visit a very enjoyable one.