Babcock’s Devonport Open Days event has passed 10,000 tickets booked for 2026, with the annual public event at Devonport Royal Dockyard returning on 24 July, giving members of the public the chance to step inside one of the UK’s most significant naval facilities.
Organised by Babcock and the Royal Navy, the open day follows what the company described as an incredible turnout last year and is open to anyone with an interest in engineering, naval heritage or a family day out.
A separate event for families of those working on site is also taking place on 23 July, with a separate booking process available to those eligible.
Devonport Royal Dockyard is one of the largest naval bases in Western Europe and serves as the home port for a significant portion of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet and submarine force, including the Type 23 frigates and submarines undergoing maintenance and refit. It is operated by Babcock under a long-term contract with the Ministry of Defence.
Tickets for the 24 July public open day are available at babcockinternational.com/events/devonport-open-days
It has been so long since there was a Navy Day at Portsmouth. You know the home of the Royal Navy.
Devonport open day the same day as Farnborough air show public day? Unfortunate timing, I had already booked my tickets!
Shame,
You’ll mis out on a tour of HMS Raider 😎
Yes poor planning, that.
At Farnborough, I wouldn’t pay any more, I just hang about outside if I go. Went too often, the flying display was too samey, and dislike the crowds.
Tickets free for under 21s 🙂
It’s my first time there, I’m mostly going for the careers angle and to wander round the company stands rather than the air show.
Surprised only 1st time, you’re hardly the other end of the country.
I was thinking of the trade stands when I posted, yes, that side at least I cannot replicate standing outside.
I only realised they had a public day earlier this year, as it’s the summer after exams I thought I’d treat myself.
I’m thinking of taking a tape measure for the MBDA stand so I can finally work out how big CAMM-MR is, probably just going to spend the day pestering people for non-public data.
Brilliant. 😆
MBDA had two stands last year, the public-facing one and an entire separate building round the back. You needed to book to get into the one with all the good stuff, so get there early if you want to badger those in the know rather than a sales guy. All the mock ups outside were easy enough to get to see at any time. I took some photos of the CAMM-MRs at DSEI, but I was told they were illustrative. The Stratuses were supposed to be at scale. (Is that the right plural?)
Thanks for the hint, I’ll be keeping an eye out. I’ll also be pestering people like HAV, Babcock, ACUA, Aeralis etc so if anyone working there sees this, consider yourself warned.
PS Strati?
It’s 30 years since I’ve been to the Devonport naval base, I’m very tempted to splash out and make the trip from Ireland. But only if there are at least a few warships open to the public. Wandering around a few slightly amateurish static displays of diving equipment et al, chatting to some Sea Scouts, and watching a Royal Marines band for 20 minutes doesn’t really justify the cost and my use of annual leave. Anyone have a recommendation as to whether it might be worth the effort and money?
Yes, you’ll have a nice Ferry Trip !
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At a Navy Day in the distant past, I must have been between 10 and 15, went aboard the T42 HMS Gloucester, and a few others I forget.
In those days, there were a lot of ships present! 😬🙄
That’ll be 1980’s then.
I used to go too, lots to see, touch and explore back then. Plymouth was my second home for a few years, as was Union Street !
Back when the Yanks used to get pissed rather too quickly drinking real Beer. 😂
I went about RFA Argus and FGS Hessen once at Boston Fleet Week. Lots of beer abord Hessen.
Went to a few navy days in the 80s at devonport ,went on a frigate,and a submarine ,huge event.
Will there even be any warships at this one?
Complete joke,maybe a patrol boat or a minesweeper.