200 Exhibition: Two Centuries of Royal William Yard

Dates: 13-28 September 2025

Times: Daily 11am-4pm (10am-3pm during Seafest weekend 13-14 September)

Location: Melville Corner (in the corner of Melville Building, next to BLOCK Café, opposite the Marina—follow exhibition sign outside)

Entry: Free

This landmark exhibition brings together original artefacts, historical documents, images and artworks—many displayed publicly for the very first time—to celebrate the bicentenary of Royal William Yard. From The National Archives to Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth Proprietary Library and respected local historians, we've curated remarkable treasures that reveal the Yard's transformation from naval victualling depot to today's vibrant waterfront destination.

Uncover the secrets behind Europe's largest collection of Grade I listed military buildings. See Sir John Rennie's intricate original architectural plans. Learn about the Brewhouse that never brewed—completed just as beer was removed from naval rations. Explore cooper's technical drawings that transformed functional blueprints into works of art. Marvel at the Mills Bakery that could could transform 1,000 massive sacks of flour – more than 270,000 pounds – into ship’s biscuits in a single week.

Witness documents that have never left The National Archives—classified letters sealed until 1971 but unopened since declassification, examination results for cooper apprentices, and weekly wage lists written in perfect Victorian handwriting. But this isn't just about official records. The 200 Stories campaign has revealed personal connections spanning generations: wedding photographs, wartime memories, and family stories that bring these stone walls to life.

See original cooper's barrels crafted at the Yard, examine indenture documents that bound 15-year-old boys to six-year apprenticeships. Read handwritten letters revealing the human side of naval operations. View naval uniforms with their official seals, some still carrying the Yard's own storage tags. Browse through original wage books with their meticulous Victorian handwriting recording every worker's pay.

Meet the dedicated workforce through their own words—from Florence Lancey's memories of swimming at lunchtime whilst Royal Marines cheered from the villa walls, to Stephen Dryden's revelation of a 60-year-old naval secret about the rum ration, and Arthur Robert's tale about where tonnes of sugar went. Discover how five generations of one family worked at the Yard, and how coopers celebrated completing their apprenticeships with the "trussing out" ceremony.

Royal William Yard once fed, clothed and supplied the Royal Navy that protected a global empire. Its innovative design revolutionised naval victualling. Its skilled workers — coopers, bakers, slaughtermen, seamstresses—kept Britain's fleet operational across the world's oceans. Today, it stands as a testament to British industrial heritage and the power of thoughtful regeneration.

Chris Robinson, Plymouth Historian, commented: “This exhibition is well worth visiting for anyone interested in Plymouth's remarkable heritage. Having spent years researching Royal William Yard's complex story, I'm impressed by how this collection bridges the gap between official records and human experience, giving visitors a complete picture of how this extraordinary place evolved from Rennie's ambitious vision into the destination we know today.”

This exhibition runs for just two weeks. Many items will never be displayed together again. Some have travelled from national archives and private collections specifically for this moment. It's your only chance to see Royal William Yard's complete story told through the objects, documents and memories that shaped two centuries of British naval history.

Getting Here

Located at Royal William Yard, with parking on site, regular bus services and Plymouth Boat Trips ferry services. Find out more here.

Plan Your Visit

Combine your exhibition visit with our free History Trail around the Yard, available all day every day. Maps available from the Welcome Suite or download online at www.royalwilliamyard.com/history-trail

The 200 Exhibition: where 200 years of history meets the stories of today. Don't miss this unique celebration of Plymouth's most remarkable buildings.

This exhibition celebrates Royal William Yard's 200-year story, but it would not exist without the extraordinary generosity of local historians, institutions, and community members who shared their knowledge, artefacts, and personal connections to this remarkable place.

Special thanks to local historians Chris Robinson and Richard Fisher for being so generous with their time, information and materials that we are displaying. We are grateful to Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, especially Peter Dunlop and the exceptional team of volunteers who have loaned so much and shared their time and knowledge so generously. Thank you to Plymouth Proprietary Library, especially Darren Bevin and Kevin Warley, and to Gloria Dixon from The Old Plymouth Society for the wealth of information shared. Our appreciation extends to national organisations English Heritage and The National Archives.

The 200 Stories campaign brought forward the most captivating hidden histories and incredible personal stories. Particular thanks to David Trigger MBE for loaning us content that has enriched our understanding of the Yard's working life. The exhibition would not have been as rich and fascinating without contributions from: Arthur Roberts, Rodney Gosling, Jan Roberts, Leah Jarvis, Susan Pullyblank, Paul Burkhalter, Dawn Sambells, Gary Voisey, Graham Steen, Mo Burge, Brian Clarke, Matt and Kay Vickery, Bob Cook, George Zacal, Stephen Dryden, Marco Rotella, Nick Tasker - and anyone else who got in touch.

We hope you enjoy seeing the final results in this exhibition and on our History Trail.