"Brilliant all round. Kids loved it."

Tripadvisor

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.

BOOK NOW Plan your visit

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!

Discover more!

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!

Things to Make and Do

What's On this October Half Term?

October Half Term - Back to the 80s

22nd - 30th October 2022

11am-3pm

Celebrate 40 years of the raising of the Mary Rose by taking a step back in time to the 1980s!

This October half term discover the pop culture of the 1980s with our retro-themed area, containing a video game arcade featuring 80s classics such as Pac-Man, Asteroids, Gauntlet, Galaga and more, courtesy of Game Over, as well as music and photo opportunities from that era!

Included with a valid Mary Rose museum ticket.

Discover new technologies at the Mary Rose

1st August - 30th October 2022

A new temporary exhibition bringing the past to life with modern technologies

See the past come to life with new technologies courtesy of the University of Portsmouth.

The University of Portsmouth’s Centre for Creative and Immersive eXtended Reality (CCIXR) Enabling XR Enterprise (eXRe) development team has been working with The Mary Rose trust to develop alternative ways to tell the story of the Mary Rose and engage visitors through immersive technology.

Using different visual and interactive outputs, the transformation from wreck to fully reimagined ship can be experienced by viewers using multiple immersive platforms.

This exhibition is free with a valid Mary Rose museum ticket.

This is just some of the exciting activities and events coming up this summer

Find out more on our events page!

More upcoming events

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!

Book your tickets today!

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.

Nursing is permitted throughout the museum.

Find out more

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.

Relaxed opening

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

Plan your visit accessibility

Maps and trails

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

Maps and Trails

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

Buy tickets

Bring your crew to meet ours this October Half Term!

"Brilliant all round. Kids loved it."

What's On this October Half Term?