Britannia Sailing Trust

04/09/2026

01/09/2026

Our Open Day coincides with the Quay shanty festival on 12 September. Come and see us in the East Quay from 11 am ⚓️⛵️😊

September is here and that means... Heritage Open Days is back!

Running from 11-20 September, Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

National Historic Ships UK has compiled a list of the historic vessels and Shipshape Network projects taking part in this year's festival - check it out below!

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/event/nhs/heritage-open-days-2026

Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Steam Tug Brent of 1945 Ipswich Maritime Trust Hunter's Yard Norfolk Wherry Trust - Home of Albion Museum of the Broads Wherry Maud Trust - Charity No. 1161285. floatourboat17 Tiller & Wheel LV21 Royal Museums Greenwich Historic Dockyard Chatham Buckler's Hard Steamship Shieldhall The Golden Hinde London Canal Museum Britannia Sailing Trust Appledore Maritime Heritage Trust SS Freshspring Trust Bristol Museums LeicesterTrader Newark Heritage Barge Canal & River Trust Ellesmere Yard North East Maritime Trust The Beverley Barge Preservation Society National Waterways Museum

01/09/2026

⛵ WOODEN BOAT STAGE RETURNS at Southampton Boat Show

It's back for a second year and bigger than ever! Created by Womenin Boatbuilding, Wooden Boatbuilders' Trade Association, and the Boat Building Academy, the Wooden Boat Stage returns to Southampton Boat Show with a packed 10-day programme of inspiring talks, live demonstrations and practical sessions. New for 2026, the Wooden Boat Stage Afloat extends the experience into the marina, where visitors can step aboard a carefully curated collection of historic and classic vessels.

NATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS PANEL, Sat 19th September

National Historic Ships UK Director Hannah Cunliffe hosts There's More Than One Way to Float Your Boat: the National Historic Ships UK Panel on Exploring Different Ownership Models. Panellists are:

* Vicki Samuels, Britannia Sailing Trust
* Mike Beckett, OGA - The Association for Gaff Rig Sailing
* Roberta Bonometti from NHS-UK Flagship of the Year Sea Scamp
* Victoria Preston, Isle of Wight Classic Boat Museum

The panel will explore different ownership models for historic vessels, the challenges their custodians face, and ways to get involved with this inspiring side of the maritime sector.

The Wooden Boat Stage runs from 18-27 September.
Read more & book:
www.southamptonboatshow.com/the-wooden-boat-stage/

31/08/2026

So in the past couple of weeks we have shown you our progress in the aft cabin, the deck crew cladding the main cabin roof and the air boards being fitted inside, but today we want to pay tribute to all the dear folk behind the scenes who keep everything going! Making the tea; keeping the workshop clean and tidy; mending the toilet!; cleaning and prepping the ballast and more…. Vital tasks that keep the whole project on track. Where would we be without our tea!!!!!

26/08/2026

A feel good story for sure 😊😊

26/08/2026

It’s very exciting to be part of this event on the wooden boat stage at Southampton boat show this year. We will be there representing Britannia and sharing our story on 19 and 25 September! Lots to see and people to meet!!

⛵ WOODEN BOAT STAGE RETURNS at Southampton Boat Show

The Wooden Boat Stage is back for a second year and bigger than ever. Created by Women In Boatbuilding, the Wooden Boatbuilders' Trade Association, and the Boat Building Academy, the Wooden Boat Stage returns to the Southampton International Boat Show with a packed 10-day programme of inspiring talks, live demonstrations and practical sessions. New for 2026, the Wooden Boat Stage Afloat extends the experience into the marina, where visitors can step aboard a carefully curated collection of historic and classic vessels. Confirmed so far are 1939 Self Righter Class lifeboat Guide of Dunkirk, 1930 tender Gelyce, and 1907 gaff cutter Larry.

NATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS PANEL, Sat 19th September

National Historic Ships UK Director Hannah Cunliffe hosts There's More Than One Way to Float Your Boat: the National Historic Ships UK Panel on Exploring Different Ownership Models. Panellists are:

* Vicki Samuels, Britannia Sailing Trust
* Mike Beckett, OGA - The Association for Gaff Rig Sailing
* Roberta Bonometti from NHS-UK Flagship of the Year Sea Scamp
* Victoria Preston, Isle of Wight Classic Boat Museum

The panel will explore different ownership models for historic vessels, the challenges their custodians face, and ways to get involved with this inspiring side of the maritime sector.

The Wooden Boat Stage runs from 18th-27th September. Read more & book:
www.southamptonboatshow.com/the-wooden-boat-stage/

20/08/2026

Enjoy the sea shanties and come and see a historic vessel! Open Ship on Britannia 11 -4 pm Saturday 11 September- east Quay and the Piazza

⚓️🎶 Ahoy! The programme for the Quayside Shanty and Heritage Harbour Festival is here! 🌊🎵

Samuel Jones St Austell Brewery Puerto Lounge On The Waterfront Visit Exeter

15/08/2026

So good to see! Another traditional sailing ship providing training in these endangered skills. Bravo!

12/08/2026

Aft cabin update!

Benji and Abi have been busy framing up the aft cabin ready for bunks and storage. If it hasn’t already been a cramped workspace, it certainly will be now!

The framing and slats for the bunks have been built using larch, which the pair have been carefully machining up, something which definitely didn’t end in a ‘telling off’!

The ceiling has also been taking shape, larch being used again for the new lining.

Storage has also been incorporated underneath the bunks, with the boxing made using marine ply.

The panelling on the outside of the bunks will eventually be made from mahogany, which should look rather beautiful once it’s all in place.