National Historic Ships UK

National Historic Ships UK National Historic Ships UK is the official voice for historic vessels in the United Kingdom
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National Historic Ships UK is a government funded, independent organisation which gives objective advice to UK governments and local authorities, funding bodies, and the historic ships sector on all matters relating to historic vessels in the UK. It is successor to the advisory committee on National Historic Ships, set up as a non-departmental advisory body in July 2006. In turn, that organisation

followed on from the National Historic Ships Committee, which emerged from a seminar held in 1991 to discuss the problems facing the preservation of historic ships and vessels in the UK and the evident neglect of this important part of our heritage. National Historic Ships UK carries a wide remit, looking not only at the immediate issues concerning historic vessels in the UK, but also addressing questions relating to the support infrastructure for historic ships, their potential for contributing in the wider economic, social and community context, and maintaining a watch list of vessels abroad with potential UK significance. Strong support was expressed for the creation of a co-ordinating body which could provide an overview of all aspects of historic ship preservation and the Committee was formally launched on 15 July 1992 by Lord Lewin, then Chairman of Trustees of the National Maritime Museum. National Historic Ships UK, carries a wide remit, looking not only at the immediate issues concerning historic vessels in the United Kingdom, but also addressing questions relating to the support infrastructure for historic ships, their potential for contributing in the wider economic, social and community context, and by maintaining a watch list of vessels abroad with potential UK significance.

⛵ WOODEN BOAT STAGE RETURNS at Southampton Boat ShowIt's back for a second year and bigger than ever! Created by Womeni...
01/09/2026

⛵ WOODEN BOAT STAGE RETURNS at Southampton Boat Show

It's back for a second year and bigger than ever! Created by Womenin Boatbuilding, Wooden Boatbuilders' Trade Association, and the Boat Building Academy, the Wooden Boat Stage returns to Southampton Boat Show with a packed 10-day programme of inspiring talks, live demonstrations and practical sessions. New for 2026, the Wooden Boat Stage Afloat extends the experience into the marina, where visitors can step aboard a carefully curated collection of historic and classic vessels.

NATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS PANEL, Sat 19th September

National Historic Ships UK Director Hannah Cunliffe hosts There's More Than One Way to Float Your Boat: the National Historic Ships UK Panel on Exploring Different Ownership Models. Panellists are:

* Vicki Samuels, Britannia Sailing Trust
* Mike Beckett, OGA - The Association for Gaff Rig Sailing
* Roberta Bonometti from NHS-UK Flagship of the Year Sea Scamp
* Victoria Preston, Isle of Wight Classic Boat Museum

The panel will explore different ownership models for historic vessels, the challenges their custodians face, and ways to get involved with this inspiring side of the maritime sector.

The Wooden Boat Stage runs from 18-27 September.
Read more & book:
www.southamptonboatshow.com/the-wooden-boat-stage/

01/09/2026

Sea Scamp will be at the Southampton International Boat Show - come and see her at stand/berth M908 during 18th-24th Sept!

Check out Sea Scamp's Boat Show page - link in comments




National Historic Ships UK
The Windfall Yachts


September is here and that means... Heritage Open Days is back!Running from 11-20 September, Heritage Open Days is Engla...
01/09/2026

September is here and that means... Heritage Open Days is back!

Running from 11-20 September, Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

National Historic Ships UK has compiled a list of the historic vessels and Shipshape Network projects taking part in this year's festival - check it out below!

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/event/nhs/heritage-open-days-2026

Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Steam Tug Brent of 1945 Ipswich Maritime Trust Hunter's Yard Norfolk Wherry Trust - Home of Albion Museum of the Broads Wherry Maud Trust - Charity No. 1161285. floatourboat17 Tiller & Wheel LV21 Royal Museums Greenwich Historic Dockyard Chatham Buckler's Hard Steamship Shieldhall The Golden Hinde London Canal Museum Britannia Sailing Trust Appledore Maritime Heritage Trust SS Freshspring Trust Bristol Museums LeicesterTrader Newark Heritage Barge Canal & River Trust Ellesmere Yard North East Maritime Trust The Beverley Barge Preservation Society National Waterways Museum

📢 The National Historic Ships UK Photo Competition closes at midnight tonight!Cash prizes of up to £1,000 to be won, plu...
31/08/2026

📢 The National Historic Ships UK Photo Competition closes at midnight tonight!

Cash prizes of up to £1,000 to be won, plus the chance to be featured in our 2027 calendar and a Historic Dockyard Chatham exhibition.

Send in your best historic vessel and traditional sailing images, as well as pictures of the people who maintain, operate and sail them, for a chance to win.

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/photocomp

CATEGORIES:

TIME - our 2026 competition theme, interpret it however you choose
* £500 cash prize, courtesy Trinity Buoy Wharf

CLASSIC BOAT AWARD - for traditional sailing images
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Classic Boat

FACES OF THE SEA - for pictures of people working, volunteering, sailing and engaging with our historic vessels
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Maritime Heritage Trust

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - for new entrants to the competition
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Shipshape & Bristol Fashion

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - voted for by the public
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Fat Beehive

OVERALL WINNER - for the best image from all entries
* £500 cash prize, courtesyDennett Boat Builders

All winners also take home a specially-commissioned trophy, courtesy Beckett Rankine , and a maritime-themed book, courtesy Bloomsbury Nautical

📢 FINAL WEEKEND to enter the National Historic Ships UK Photography Competition!Cash prizes of up to £1,000 to be won, p...
30/08/2026

📢 FINAL WEEKEND to enter the National Historic Ships UK Photography Competition!

Cash prizes of up to £1,000 to be won, plus the chance to be featured in our 2027 calendar and a Historic Dockyard Chatham exhibition.

Send in your best historic vessel and traditional sailing images, as well as pictures of the people who maintain, operate and sail them, by midnight on Monday 31st August, for a chance to win.

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/photocomp

CATEGORIES:

TIME - our 2026 competition theme, interpret it however you choose
* £500 cash prize, courtesy Trinity Buoy Wharf

CLASSIC BOAT AWARD - for traditional sailing images
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Classic Boat

FACES OF THE SEA - for pictures of people working, volunteering, sailing and engaging with our historic vessels
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Maritime Heritage Trust

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - for new entrants to the competition
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Shipshape & Bristol Fashion

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - voted for by the public
* £250 cash prize, courtesy Fat Beehive

OVERALL WINNER - for the best image from all entries
* £500 cash prize, courtesyDennett Boat Builders

All winners also take home a specially-commissioned trophy, courtesy Beckett Rankine , and a maritime-themed book, courtesy Bloomsbury Nautical

📢 NOW OPEN!The National Historic Ships UK Photography Exhibition is now open at Historic Dockyard Chatham The exhibition...
30/08/2026

📢 NOW OPEN!

The National Historic Ships UK Photography Exhibition is now open at Historic Dockyard Chatham

The exhibition features the winning and best images from our 2025 Photography Competition, in the industrial surrounds of No 3 Slip. It runs until Sunday 15th November and entry is free with your Dockyard ticket.

It's a great day out with lots to do and see, including three historic ships; the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection; and the 400 year old Ropery, which once produced the finest ropes for Royal Navy Ships. You can also enjoy a fish 'n' chips lunch or afternoon tea at The Mess Deck cafe.

Read more & book:
https://thedockyard.co.uk/plan-your-visit/buytickets/

28/08/2026

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Park Row
London
SE109NF

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