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Veteran minehunter Middleton completes ‘Tour de Britain’ ahead of revamp
17 June 2026
Crew of minehunter HMS Middleton took their ship on a UK-wide ‘tour’ as they reintroduced the Portsmouth-based warship to home waters after nearly five years in the Gulf.
The veteran Hunt-class ship – in service since 1984 – returned to Britain in March.
The 50 or so sailors of the Royal Navy’s 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron Crew 7, who spent four months last summer operating Middleton in the Middle East, were charged with taking her around the country for some useful training ahead of the ship undergoing an extensive revamp.
The anti-clockwise patrol around Great Britain took the ship to the North East coast for navigational exercises and diving training, a stop in Whitby for a fish-and-chip takeaway for all crew from the world-famous Magpie Café and a port visit to Sunderland.
The sheltered waters of Scapa Flow in Orkney – the Fleet’s main anchorage in both world wars – were the perfect training environment for the ship’s six-strong mine clearance diving team, who plunged into the depths to look at the wreck of WW1 cruiser SMS Dresden, scuttled with most of the German High Seas Fleet, in June 1919.
“This was my first ever wreck dive, and to do it in Scapa Flow was an incredible experience,” said Able Seaman (Diver) Oliver Woodmansee, aged 22 from North Wales.
Before departing Scapa Flow, Middleton paid her respects to HMS Royal Oak, conducting ceremonial as she passed the buoy that marked the battleship’s wreck location.
After rounding Cape Wrath the minehunter made for the Isle of Skye. This provided a unique opportunity for 21-year-old islander Able Seaman (Mine Warfare) Conor Campbell to be landed ashore by boat to meet up with his family.
Conor’s mum, who served as a radio operator on HMS Ark Royal in the 1990s, arranged for MacKenzie’s Bakery to donate 60 homemade donuts to the ship’s company as a thank you. AB Campbell said: “It was unreal to get the chance to go ashore in Portree and see my mum, dad and brothers and sister. And to top it off my shipmates got donuts.”
For navigational experience, Middleton passed under the Skye Bridge and the Gulf of Corryvrecken – between the Isles of Jura and Scarba – infamous for its tidal whirlpools.
“Getting the chance to take Middleton under the Skye Bridge and then through Corryvrecken was incredible. I am extremely proud of the bridge team for a very professional job,” said Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Rob Garner.
In the Isle of Man, crew enjoyed VIP entry to the TT grandstand and personnel were able to get up close to the bikes and watch the insanely fast races.
It was a three-wheeler which really caught the sailors’ eyes. Leading Seaman Sam Taylor and Engineering Technician Ainsley Garlick reached out to Manx Transport Heritage Museum to see if they could ‘borrow’ an iconic Peel P50 – the world’s smallest production car.
The 45kg car – one of fewer than 30 left worldwide – was carefully craned onto Middleton’s forecastle, where museum staff outlined the vehicle’s history and unique place in motoring history.
“I know Jeremy Clarkson and Michael Portillo got the chance to drive a Peel P50, and now I have as well. I’m really grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Sam enthused.
The next stop was Falmouth… via the North Sea as the ship retraced her track before sailing through the Channel and into the Cornish port.
After 24 days at sea and 2,950 nautical miles/nearly 3,400 miles – roughly the equivalent of a voyage to Crete – the ship is beginning a Re-Certification Docking, renewing her for many more years’ service in the Fleet.
Lt Cdr Garner added: “We had a fantastic time operating Middleton around British waters. My ship’s company are on top of their game, they’ve worked hard and trained hard, and they’ve also exploited every opportunity to have fun and enjoy life at sea.
“This is what the Royal Navy is all about.”