The Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s flagship which capsized and sank in 1545 off Portsmouth was brought to the surface in 1982 and now rests in an amazing (and ongoing) state of preservation in a purpose-built museum. This living time capsule from the 16th century with its many artefacts offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the sailors and craftsmen aboard and what they were doing just minutes before the great ship sank, taking them with it.

Find out more: www.maryrose.org/

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For a different but no less exciting feel of the days of sail a visit to the Cutty Sark at the King William Walk in Greenwich, south London is a must. Built in 1869, the Cutty Sark is the last surviving tea clipper. With its 32,000 square feet of sail the Cutty Sark was so fast it could overtake the steam ships that were seeking to replace it. The Cutty Sark was badly damaged by fire in 2007 but its restoration involved creating a completely new and exciting visitor experience including being able to walk in the dry dock beneath the great ship.

Find out more: www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark

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The Victorian era isn’t always associated with famous ships but ships from that time show the remarkable scientific improvements that helped Britain remain the premier maritime power of the age. The steam-powered HMS Warrior, moored at Portsmouth near the Victory, couldn’t be more different from that illustrious predecessor with its cavernous iron-clad interior, guns and armoured plating that made every other warship in 1860 obsolete. 

Find out more: www.hmswarrior.org

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For a comprehensive submarine experience visit the Royal Navy Submarine museum in Gosport, Hampshire where you can visit HMS Alliance, the only surviving WW2-era submarine in the UK.

Take the tour from the torpedo compartment, through the accommodation to the control room, the 'heads', galley, finishing with an explanation of how to escape from a submarine.

Find out more: www.submarine-museum.co.uk/hms-alliance

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The light, shade and silhouette of the submarine often stir the imagination, and can perhaps be a little unsettling. A small number of these cramped but fascinating machines can be visited by the curious.

HMS Ocelot, a conventionally powered sub from the Cold War era, rests permanently at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham in Kent.

A short drive from Chatham to Rochester offers a tantalisingly distant view of submarine U-475 moored in the River Medway. This Cold War era Russian sub built in 1966 that is, sadly, not accessible to visitors, is a curious contrast to the pleasure boats moored close by.

Find out more: www.thedockyard.co.uk/hms_ocelot

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HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s famous flagship, permanently docked at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, takes you back to the days of the wooden-walled ships that forged Britain’s supremacy at sea. With expert guides to show you round the ship you move from the splendour of Nelson’s day cabin (left) to the dark and cramped gun decks where hundreds of sailors lived and fought. Although much restored, climbing abroad still feels like stepping back to the 18th century. A visit to the Victory has its own poignant moment when you are taken to the spot where Britain’s greatest naval hero died after being fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Find out more: www.thehistoricdockyard.co.uk

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Moored by London Bridge City Pier, with a stunning backdrop of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast gives great insight into life at sea. Up to 950 crew were packed on board during her duty in Arctic convoys, on D-Day and beyond. Explore the crew quarters, Operations Room, the engine room and don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in a battle in the Gun Turret Experience.

Find out more: www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast

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Now dry-docked in Belfast's historic Hamilton Dock, the Nomadic was built alongside the Titanic in 1911 as a tender to the Titanic, and is the world's last White Star Line ship.

She was built to the same design as the Titanic, but at a quarter of the size. A visit allows you to experience what it was like to be a passenger boarding Titanic on her maiden voyage...

While you're in Belfast, don't miss the Titanic Belfast attraction.

Find out more: www.nomadicbelfast.com

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Discover what life was like on board The Queen’s floating royal residence. The Royal Yacht Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years, sailing over 1,000,000 miles around the world.

It's now berthed at Ocean Terminal, two miles from the city centre. Pick up an audio guide and explore the five decks including the Sun Lounge, The Queen's bedroom, the State Dining and Drawing rooms, as well as the working side of the ship, such as the Royal Marines' Barracks, the Sick Bay and the Engine Room.

Find out more: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

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The Waverley is the world's oldest sea-going paddle steamer. Named after Sir Walter Scott’s first novel, she was built on the Clyde in 1947, replacing the original Waverley that sank off Dunkirk during active war service in 1940.

Her hectic season begins with sailing amid Scotland's Western Isles, then in summer her trips are exploring the West Coast of Scotland, followed by Liverpool and North Wales then the Bristol Channel before moving down to the South Coast of England in September and London and the Thames in October.

Find out more: www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk

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