HMS Victory: New gallery to tell visitors story of Nelson's famous ship

A new exhibition is set to open following lockdown that will tell the story of HMS Victory as the 256-year-old warship reopens to the public.

The gallery, entitled HMS Victory: The Nation's Flagship, explains the construction and conservation of the world's oldest naval ship still in commission.

Objects will also be on display at the museum in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard that are previously unseen by the public including a section of the ship's mainmast, which was damaged at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The gallery has been fitted with interactive displays that innovatively tell the story of the famous ship "from acorn to icon" throughout the many events taking place across its career.

WATCH: Visitors To See Lord Nelson's Famous Flagship From Below

It includes a digital interpretation of the giant 13m by 4m Panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar by WL Wyllie – which is so big that the original building was constructed around it.

Visitors will also be able to walk into the dry dock under the ship's hull on a new walkway, only briefly open to the public before the last lockdown.

Victory itself has just undergone a round of repairs after her wrought-iron mainmast was removed on May 14 for essential conservation work.

Professor Dominic Tweddle, Director-General for the National Museum of the Royal Navy, said he was "delighted" to welcome visitors back after the extended closure.

"Over 80% of our income comes from visitors. Without visitors, we will not survive. They are our lifeblood.

"We have sought to use this period to continue to develop our offer and the new HMS Victory: The Nation's Flagship gallery is a thrilling addition to the destination."

Steps have been taken to ensure the dockyard meets COVID-19 safety standards and it has been awarded VisitEngland's 'We're Good To Go' industry standard.

Cover image: HMS Victory in Portsmouth (Picture: National Museum Of The Royal Navy).