Discover the fascinating history of underwater exploration at the Diving Museum, housed in a Victorian coastal defence battery. This award-winning museum showcases the evolution of diving, from early heavy brass helmets to cutting-edge technology. Exhibits include artifacts, vintage equipment, and stories of daring rescues, military operations, and underwater adventures.
Facts:
- The Diving Museum is the only museum in the UK dedicated exclusively to the history of diving.
- Gosport has real historic links to early diving: the Deane brothers carried out the world’s first commercial deep‑sea dive nearby, and the prototype diving helmet used to perfect the equipment is part of the museum’s story.
- The museum is entirely volunteer-run and was named one of the UK’s top six family friendly museums.
- The museum displays diving items from early to the present covering sport, commercial, scientific and military.
- The first workable diving helmet in the world, dating from 1828, is on display.
- It houses an early Cousteau aqualung diving set, a groundbreaking diving invention.
- Displays include a few items from the Falklands War.
- The site itself, No. 2 Battery, was part of Gosport’s coastal defences, and its story is told in the museum.
Visitor Information:
Address: The Diving Museum, No. 2 Battery, Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, PO12 2QT
Opening hours: Closed for refurbishment until Spring 2026
Parking: No. 2 Battery West Car Park, Stokes Bay Road
Also nearby:
Stokes Bay beach and Alver Valley Country Park
More information:
The Diving Museum, Gosport