Family fun at The Mary Rose | The Mary Rose
Family Fun at The Mary Rose

Bring your crew to meet ours this Easter!

What's on this Easter?

Captain Vlad and the Mary Rose!

Monday, 1st April 2024

12noon - 4pm

To celebrate the publication of the latest adventure of Vlad the flea, we're holding an amazing launch event, which includes book signings, readings with the author, drawing with the artist and more!

Easter activities

2nd-6th April, 9th-13th April 2024

11am-3pm

This Easter get creepy and crawly at the Mary Rose Museum with our exciting activities!

  • Get crafty and create your own version of Vlad the flea! Enter it into our ‘Funkiest Flea’ competition for the chance to win a giant chocolate egg!
  • Vlad the flea children’s activity sheet with fun drawing, colouring in and activities for all the family to enjoy
  • Under the microscope: take a closer look at the creepy critters that were found on board the Mary Rose!
  • Meet the conservators! Meet David and Sarah , and discover the science behind both caring for and understanding the story of the Mary Rose!

Included with a valid Mary Rose Museum ticket, including the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer!

Dive the Mary Rose 4D

10am-4pm

Dive into the untold story of the finding, excavation and recovery of the Mary Rose in our new immersive 4D cinema experience, brought to life with a combination of archive footage and CGI, as well as multi-sensory features including sounds, smells, bubbles wind and movement. 

You may even recognise the voice of a certain monarch amongst the divers telling their stories...

Included in any valid Mary Rose ticket, including Ultimate Explorer season tickets

These are just a few of the exciting activities and events we have running at the Mary Rose Museum this year.

Find out more on our events page!

More upcoming events!

"Brilliant all round. Kids loved it."

Tripadvisor

Family Looking At The Mary Rose

Discover life in 1545 with real Tudor objects, ranging from cannons to nit combs, recovered from Henry VIII's favourite ship, the Mary Rose! 

From handling tables and interactive displays to our amazing light show that brings the ship to life, not to mention our great activities, there's something for children of all ages at The Mary Rose museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The Mary Rose isn't just an ship, it's a time capsule, preserving life in Tudor England. 500 years is just a heartbeat away from a great family day out.

Mother and Son on Top Deck
Trail Booklet
Prepare for adventure!

Experience the Mary Rose’s miraculous story in a whole new way with a new interactive trail for families.

Based on the book "You wouldn't want to sail on the Mary Rose", this trail book is packed with activities to do both in the museum and after your visit! 

Downloads For Families
Can't make it to Portsmouth?

There's no reason to miss out, download our worksheets and models and experience some of the world of the Mary Rose at home!

Information for Grown-Ups
Opening TimesHow to find usBuy tickets
The Mary Rose in 1983
The Mary Rose in 1999
The Mary Rose in 2013
The Mary Rose Today
THE CHANGING FACE OF THE MARY ROSE

If you visited the Mary Rose on a school trip in the 80s, 90s or early 2000s you may have memories either getting wet or trying to look through misted-up windows at what you could just about make out as a Tudor warship.

We've changed a lot since then, The sprays were turned off in 2013, the ship and her objects are now in a state-of-the-art museum and the ship is easier to see and understand, with new displays, lights and sounds!

VISITING

Please be aware that for the safety of our visitors we have a 100% bag search policy. All bags, buggies and mobility scooters must be kept with you at all times.

The historic dockyard site and the museum itself are fully accessible to buggies and pushchairs, and the museum has baby changing facilities. Lifts are available to move along the visitor route.

FOOD

Although eating and drinking are not allowed inside the museum itself, the Mary Rose café offers a wide range of hot and cold drinks, as well as freshly made food.

The café has highchairs available and staff will be happy to warm bottles for baby feeding.

Breastfeeding is permitted throughout the museum.

LIGHTING

The lighting within The Mary Rose is kept low to create a stunning atmosphere and display, as well as helping protect the delicate collection of objects within the gallery showcases.

For visitors with visual impairment or autism, relaxed opening mornings are held monthly. More information can be found at the link below.

Blue Peter badges

The Mary Rose Museum is one of over 200 attractions around the UK that Blue Peter badge holders can get into for free. 

To gain free entry, each child (under 16s only) must have a badge and valid badge card and free entry is only available when a full paying Ultimate Explorer ticket is purchased (adult or concession). Not available online or with any other discount or special offer. Excludes special ticketed events. Blue Peter Badge must be produced at time of purchase. Tickets must be purchased from the Visitor Centre, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard only. Please note walk up tickets are more expensive than tickets purchased online

Find out more on the Blue Peter website.

More information about visiting the museum

Maps and trails

We have a number of useful maps, trails and other downloads that can help enhance your visit to the Mary Rose.

If you have any further questions about visiting The Mary Rose please do not hesitate to contact us.

+44 (0) 23 9281 2931

The Mary Rose
Main Road
Portsmouth
PO1 3PY

Kids In Museums Manifesto Logo
We're signed up to the Kids in Museums manifesto, which means we strive to make everyone feel welcome to the museum.

What is the Kids in Museums Manifesto?

Our Manifesto is a set of simple guidelines for museums created with children, young people and families. It sets out what they feel makes a museum a great place to visit.