Children and wooden bowls

PLANNING YOUR FAMILY VISIT TO THE MARY ROSE MUSEUM

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Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

  • Welcome Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is fully signed up to the Kids in Museums Manifesto.  The Mary Rose Museum is one of the visitor attractions within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. We always try our best to be family friendly. 
  • Tickets Family, adult and child day or season tickets are available. For more information see www.historicdockyard.co.uk
  • Toilets and baby-changing Facilities are situated in Boathouse 7, next door to the Mary Rose Museum, and in Victory arena. We suggest you visit the loos before your visit as there are no toilets in the Mary Rose Museum. We have an accessible toilet for visitors with disabilities in the Museum (although no hoist or changing facility). Please ask.
  • Food There are various food outlets on site and places to eat picnics if the weather is fine. Food and drink are not allowed in the Mary Rose Museum because crumbs encourage insects which may damage our collection.

    • Mary Rose Museum

    There is a great deal to do in the Mary Rose Museum for all the family.

    • A 10 minute film and big screen presentation of the ship’s hull introduce Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose, the only surviving Tudor warship in the world.
    • Something for everyone! The Museum houses over 1000 genuine Tudor artefacts from the Mary Rose. Whether you’re interested in guns or games; carpentry or cooking; music or medicine – there is something for everyone to enjoy.
    • Bring the Tudor age alive with plenty of hands-on and sensory activities – touch real and replica artefacts; go inside the Barber-Surgeon’s cabin; hoist the sails; try on armour; pull a longbow, listen to Tudor music and smell Tudor smells!
    • Great photo opportunities! Have your photo taken with our life-size Henry VIII statue or one of our costumed guides. Snap your family pulling a longbow or trying on a Tudor-style helmet!

    All we ask is that you don’t use the flash because it damages our artefacts.

    • A variety of trails are available from the reception desk. We can lend you a clipboard and pencil for use in the museum.
    • Questions – our costumed guides and other members of the team are happy to answer children’s questions or help with Tudor projects.
    • We run a varied events and activities programme at weekends and during school holidays. These are included in the ticket price. See www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events for the latest information. Look out for us at family events across the City of Portsmouth, including Southsea Castle Open Days.

    You may like to be aware:

    • The Museum has very low light levels because of the conservation needs of the collection so young children can find it dark when they come in from outside.
    • There are staff in Tudor costume as well as several wax models in the museum.
    • You are welcome to take photos in the Museum but please don’t use the flash.
    • Due to the historic nature of the building, the Museum has some uneven floor surfaces.
    • Unfortunately, we have no space to store coats, bags or pushchairs.
    • You may need to help children with some of the labels. Our staff and volunteers will always help explain.
    • We encourage children to respect objects and other visitors.
    • The Mary Rose Trust has a child protection policy. However, children should be supervised by their accompanying adults at all times.

    Find out more before your visit on this website:

    Access for all at the Mary Rose Museum

    The Mary Rose Trust is committed to making the collection as accessible as possible.

    • Fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available for loan on request.
    • Accessible toilet for visitors with disabilities.
    • A range of sensory experiences are offered everyday – object handling; talking boxes; music; smells, audio visual; tactile plans.
    • Staff and volunteers are always on hand to demonstrate artefacts or answer questions. Please ask. A tailored tour may be arranged before your visit.
    • Audio loops are installed on AV equipment throughout the museum.
    • Large print guide is available.
    • Two tours for special needs visitors are available. An audio tour for visually impaired people and a signing tour for hearing impaired visitors. They are not designed specifically for children so may be more suitable for confident signers.

    Mary Rose Shop

    Take a souvenir home to remember your day. The Mary Rose Museum shop has plenty of pocket money items for sale and staff are happy to help young customers with small amounts to spend. There is also a range of high quality replica objects, books and other Tudor-style gifts. Henry VIII and the Mary Rose £4.99 is a guide to the Mary Rose aimed at children aged 8-12.

    We aim to provide a first class service.
    Please let us know what you think.

    A comments book is provided at the Museum exit.

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