IN-PERSON
Guided Tour
Meeting point is at the North gate to the Marina, that’s the one by the pier. A guide will be there to meet you.
Take a tour of HMS Medusa, built in 1943 and now the last original and seagoing of 464 in this class. Medusa was navigational leader for Omaha beach on D Day and still has the special equipment fitted for D Day…
Explore HMS Medusa, a harbour defence Motor Launch built in Poole in 1943 originally intended to defend harbours against submarines. See the documents and equipment put on for her D-Day role. She was also the first Allied vessel to reach Amsterdam at liberation.
HMS Medusa is a unique survivor of her class and is now the very last of such seaworthy vessels. She remains exactly as built, fully armed, with much of the original equipment that was fitted in WW2.
Once onboard, the team will take you for a guided tour of every part of the vessel including the engine room.
Duration 90 minutes
Event Times
- Friday 18 September Tour 1100 & 1400
- Saturday 19 September Tour 1100 & 1400
- Sunday 20 September Tour 1100 & 1400
Booking Details
- Pre-booking requirement: Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions: Please book online via the booking website, if you experience any difficulties with the booking system, please contact us.
- Booking email: bookings@gosportheritage.co.uk
- Booking website: https://www.gosportheritage.co.uk/booking-2026/
- Booking opens: 22 Aug 2026 09:30 AM
- Booking closes: 16 Sep 2026 05:00 PM
Access
Access below decks is by vertical ladder, so is not suitable for mobility-impaired visitors. The ship has several trip and bump hazards, so is not suitable for small children. Please ensure that you are wearing suitable footwear. There are rest points along the tour. Parking, including accessible, refreshments and toilets close by.
Additional Information
Meeting point is at the North gate to the Marina, that’s the one by the pier. A guide will be there to meet you.
Many cafes and pubs in the vicinity for refreshments and snacks
www.hmsmedusa.org.uk
Organised by
The Medusa Trust
Directions
What 3 words zoom.weeks.richer . Medusa is berthed by the Lightship. Meeting point is at the North gate to the Marina, which is located by the pier. A guide will be there to meet you 15 minutes before the tour starts.
For those of you unable to book a space…
Dr Sam Willis explores the fascinating history of the UK’s historic fleet – the historic vessels that survive in the UK. Many are afloat but there are also ships on slipways, in sheds, hidden in creeks, dismantled in boxes, forgotten on canals… To find out more Sam speaks with Hannah Cunliffe, Director of National Historic Ships UK. 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. Sam and Hannah met on board HMS Medusa in Portsmouth, a fine example of one of the UK’s historic ships that was saved and is meticulously cared for for future generations to enjoy. Medusa is a Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML), built in 1943, and the last surviving vessel to have been at Omaha beach on DDay.
