Over 5,000 people took the chance to look behind the scenes at Britannia Royal Navy College 8 July.
Visitors from near and far were treated to a full day of demonstrations and displays at the world-renowned College designed to show them the role BRNC plays in training Royal Navy personnel today and over the last 154 years.
Highlights included tours of the College and access to the simulators used for navigation training.
Members of the public were also able to climb on board the Hindostan, a decommissioned minesweeper permanently moored on the River Dart, and take trips on the river in some of the small boats driven by the Officer Cadets.
A Merlin helicopter conducted a fly-past and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth was also on hand to entertain the visitors.
Members of the public were able to find out about bygone years with historical tours of the College and by listening to the Britannia Voices oral history project, which captures first-hand accounts of College life from the 1930s to 1980s.
Captain Jol Woodard, the Commanding Officer of BRNC, said: “The Open Day was an enormous success, with the numbers attending significantly up on previous occasions.
"The feedback from the many I spoke to on the day was overwhelmingly positive; in particular for the Cadets, who were characterised as charming, engaging, helpful and enthusiastic.
"It was great to show people what the Royal Navy stands for and all that we do in the College to support our great nation.
"Many were surprised to see the huge strength in our international partnerships and the number of cadets from other nations who come to BRNC for training.”
Other units of the Armed Forces took part in the Open Day including the Royal Navy’s bomb disposal experts, who form the Southern Diving Unit, based in Plymouth.
Local businesses, charities and organisations helped to give the event a community feel. A mobile petting farm from Pennywell Farm, horses from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Riding Stables were among the attractions for younger visitors.
