The only full-scale replica of the first ship to circumnavigate the world has arrived in Kent.

The Nao Victoria sailed into Chatham Maritime Marina near St Mary’s Island yesterday, and will be open to the public from today (Wednesday) until Sunday.

The historic vessel is a replica of the ship which starred in the greatest maritime adventure of all time – circumnavigating the world from 1519-1522.

The journey began and ended five centuries ago in the Spanish port of Seville – Spain, captained by Magellan and Elcano.

Now the public will be able to go on board, explore its deck and learn about its immense journey over three years.

Visitors can also descend into its hold and learn about the experience of its young crew, who continue to sail it across the seas of the world today.

The replica Nao Victoria completed its own circumnavigation during 2004-2006, covering over 26,000 nautical miles and making stops in 17 countries.

Since then, it has continued to sail the world, undertaking significant cultural tours of ports in the USA and Europe, receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors.

The ship’s visit to Chatham is part of the grand cultural tour that the Nao Victoria is undertaking this year, visiting ports in Spain and Europe to serve as an ambassador for the First Circumnavigation of the World alongside a floating museum of Spain’s maritime history.

The public can book their tickets on the Nao Victoria website and schools and associations should schedule their visit through the email - ecampos@velacuadra.es

It is open to the public from 10am until 9pm. An adult ticket is £8, while it costs children aged 5-10 years old £4. Family tickets for two adults and up to three children aged 5-10 years old are £20. It is free for children under 5.

Guided tours for schools and associations are £4 (one teacher free for every 10 children) and over 10 years old is £8.