At a time when the UK’s defence capability has never been more vital, we are once again set to open the gates to the public at Devonport Dockyard and HM Naval Base along with the Royal Navy. Devonport Open Days will take place this summer, offering a rare opportunity to step inside one of the UK’s most strategically important sites and see first-hand how Plymouth is helping defend the nation.
The 2026 Open Days will be held on Thursday 23 July – for those working across the co-located Dockyard and Naval Base and their families – and Friday 24 July for members of the public, shining a spotlight on the people, skills and sovereign capability that keep the Royal Navy operational and the country secure.
Devonport is the UK’s largest naval base and the sole site for the deep maintenance and refit of the Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines. Every day, thousands of highly skilled engineers, technicians and defence specialists work behind the walls of the historic site to maintain critical assets and ensure the fleet is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
Hosted jointly by Babcock and the Royal Navy, these events provide an excellent opportunity to welcome thousands of visitors to a unique workplace and provide them with a glimpse into how that mission is delivered, right here on Plymouth’s doorstep. The action-packed events will include an exciting range of hands-on STEM based activities to get involved with, as well as unique experiences to enjoy, military assets to explore*, along with displays and demonstrations to watch.
John Gane, Managing Director of Babcock’s Devonport facility, said: “It is fantastic that we’re opening our gates again this year. As one of Plymouth’s largest employers operating a site that is such a significant part of the city’s heritage, we’re proud to be able to offer our people and the local community another unique opportunity to experience the wide-ranging operations that take place here.”
Commodore Jane Roe, Naval Base Commander Devonport, added: “This year’s Open Days, run by the Royal Navy and Babcock, provide an amazing opportunity for HMNB Devonport to come together once again and show what makes this place so extraordinary. It’s a chance to step behind the scenes, explore areas of the Naval Base and Dockyard normally out of reach, and meet the people whose skill and commitment keep our ships and submarines ready for operations around the world.”
Free tickets for the public day on Friday 24 July are now available via www.devonportopendays.com (up to 12 per family – six adults and six children) once reserved, your tickets will be emailed to you straight away. Tickets for the families day will be allocated separately.
This summer get ready to see how a fascinating historical site, that is a proud part of Plymouth’s heritage, continues to play a critical role in protecting the nation – today and for generations to come.
* subject to operational commitments