We arrive at the awarding winning Explosion, Museum of Naval Firepower created within 18th century buildings at the Royal Navy's former armaments depot of Priddy's Hard, in Gosport, Hampshire which is centred around the original powder magazine of 1771. These sit on the edge of a delightful camber basin on the western shore of Portsmouth Harbour, with views across to Portchester Castle, Whale Island and the Naval Base.

Explosion! traces the development of naval armaments from gunpowder to the Exocet missile...but the museum is not just about big bangs!

The museum is housed in a group of listed buildings which centre around the original powder magazine of 1771. These sit on the edge of a delightful camber basin on the western shore of Portsmouth Harbour, with views across to Portchester Castle, Whale Island and the Naval Base. Explosion! traces the development of naval armaments from gunpowder to the Exocet missile... but the museum is not just about big bangs!

This afternoon we visit HMS Alliance which was launched in 1945 being one of fourteen ‘A’ class submarines built for service in the Far East during World War 2. Commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1947 Alliance had a long and distinguished career of over 28 years that took her all over the world. Alliance is the centrepiece of the Museum and is the official memorial to the courageous men who fought in similar boats for the freedom we enjoy today.

The forty-minute tour includes the forward torpedo compartment, the accommodation section to the control room, the domestic services, including the heads and the galley, the heart of the engine room and the after torpedo compartment where your guide explains how to escape from a submarine.