King George V Dry Dock

King George V Dry Dock is a large graving dock at Southampton's port designed to hold and service large vessels. The structure includes a specialized pump house system engineered to efficiently drain the water from the entire basin.

The dock opened in 1934 and held the status of the world's largest graving dock for about 30 years. Its construction marked a major milestone in international shipbuilding and repair capabilities.

The dock was designed by Francis Wentworth-Shields and displays classical revival architectural features from the inter-war period. Its pump house stands as a defining element of that era's port engineering style.

Visitors can view the structure from accessible vantage points around the dock area and observe the industrial engineering from various angles. The best time to visit is during daylight hours when the architectural and engineering details are most visible.

During World War II the structure served as a training facility for commando forces preparing for operations on similar targets. This wartime use added a military chapter to the dock's otherwise industrial history.

Location: City of Southampton

Inception: 1934

Architects: Francis Wentworth-Shields

GPS coordinates: 50.90960,-1.44160

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49