In its over 90-year history LEGO has taken on plenty of forms from wooden ducks to "Automatic Binding Bricks" and the LEGO brick that we see and build with today. Since its patent in 1958 however, LEGO bricks have been used for multiple purposes and not just the toy which it supposedly is.
From the 8th of March, we'll see our favourite bricks taken to another level of display and creativity as the highly acclaimed Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks exhibition is set to make its UK debut. The exhibition will run for just under six months, lasting until the 31st of August 2025 and taking place at The Historic Dockyard Chatham - a museum heaped in maritime history and culture.
This internationally renowned showcase, developed in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Western Australian Museum, brings legendary shipwrecks to life through detailed and articulate LEGO creations. Visitors of all ages are invited to make the trip to The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent and explore the tales of iconic shipwrecks, brought to life in brick-built form by Certified LEGO Professional Ryan "The Brickman" McNaught.
A Journey Through Maritime Archaeology
Through Brickwrecks, LEGO fans and maritime enthusiasts will be able to explore the fascinating world of maritime archaeology in brick-built form. A total of eight iconic shipwrecks have been brought to life through eleven intricate, large-scale LEGO models designed by the popular LEGO Masters Australia judge, Ryan McNaught.
170,463 LEGO bricks and 1,336.5 hours have gone into creating the eight shipwrecks which date as far back as around 1300 BCE. Stand-out stories from marine archaeology and marine disasters feature heavily in the exhibition that’s travelled from Australia to premiere in the UK for the first time at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. Each model is designed to offer incredible insight into the history, tragedy, and legacy of some of the most famous shipwrecks in human history.
Some of the key shipwrecks featured include:
ULUBURUN (1300 BCE):Â The oldest known shipwreck, discovered off the coast of Turkey (26,563 bricks, 102 hours to create).
SHINAN (1323): A Chinese vessel that sank near to South Korea's Shinan Islands (10,345 bricks, 80 hours to create).
VASA (1628):Â The ill-fated Swedish warship that sank in Stockholm Harbour (5,850 bricks, 82 hours to create).
HMS PANDORA (1791):Â Lost while pursuing the Bounty mutineers (6,972 bricks, 120 hours to create).
HMS TERROR & HMS EREBUS (1848):Â Wrecked in the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (20,748 bricks, 103 hours to create).
RMS TITANIC (1912):Â The world's most famous luxury liner which tragically sank over 100 years ago in North Atlantic (12,847 bricks, 113 hours to create).
MV RENA (2011):Â A modern-day container shipwreck off New Zealand, highlighting environmental consequences (16,734 bricks, 140 hours to create).
Interactive Experiences
This exhibition isn't just about admiring LEGO masterpieces as it's an incredible immersive and educational experience for the whole family. Visitors can engage with interactive elements such as:
Trying out maritime archaeology techniques.
Cleaning oil pollution from a penguin.
Learning about modern shipwreck exploration.
Building their own LEGO creations inspired by the historic shipwrecks.
The models, ranging from 1 to 3 meters in length, have been designed with incredible attention to detail by professional LEGO builders, including Ryan "The Brickman" McNaught. Each shipwreck tells a unique story of history, exploration, and disaster, making this exhibition a must-see for LEGO enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
The Perfect Venue for Brickwrecks
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, with its 400 years of naval history and the longest brick-built building in Europe, provides the ideal backdrop for this incredible LEGO showcase. Notably, HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, two of the featured wrecks, were refitted at Chatham before their ill-fated Arctic expedition.
Paul Barnard, Deputy Chief Executive of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, expressed his excitement about hosting the exhibition: "We are thrilled to bring this internationally renowned exhibition to Chatham in 2025. Brickwrecks brilliantly combines creativity, maritime archaeology, and engineering to bring the stories of eight legendary shipwrecks to life."
Plan Your Visit Now!
Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks runs from the 8th of March to the 31st of August 2025Â and is included with Dockyard admission. Whether you're a LEGO fan, a history buff, or just looking for a fun and interactive family day out, this exhibition promises to be an unforgettable experience.
For ticket details and more information, visit thedockyard.co.uk.
