Portsmouth's Mary Rose expands with world-class 4D attraction

In the 40^th anniversary year of the raising of the Mary Rose, the Mary Rose Trust announces its biggest expansion since the purpose-built museum opened in Portsmouth in 2013. A new 4D immersive theatre experience, ‘Dive the Mary Rose 4D’, will open in Spring 2023 to showcase the untold story of the finding, excavation, and recovery of the Mary Rose. Unseen footage will be brought to life through the smells, sounds and movement from the raising, with visitors given 3D glasses and CGI used to optimise the experience.

Giving visitors the chance to experience what it was like to dive the Mary Rose, the never-before-seen theatre experience will explore the history of when the Mary Rose tragically sank 477 years ago, right up until the present day. It will tell the crucial stories of all those who were instrumental in bringing the Mary Rose to the surface of The Solent, acting as a lasting legacy for the hundreds of individuals involved in the world’s largest underwater excavation and recovery.

Dominic Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the Mary Rose Trust said:

“Never in the history of the Mary Rose Trust have we undertaken such a monumental expansion. We are incredibly proud to announce that in the Spring of 2023 we will be launching this state-of-the-art technological innovation to help bring the fascinating story of the Mary Rose into the modern day. This is a world class immersive experience not to be missed.

“I can’t thank enough all those who have supported us get to where we are today, from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to individuals, companies and grant makers. It is our ongoing vision to sustain the Mary Rose’s legacy and her collection as a leading museum. This expansion will kick start next year with us doing just that.”

The Mary Rose Trust has partnered with Figment Productions to make the experience a reality for visitors to the museum. The digital media production company is famed for its use of creative cutting-edge technology and has worked with brands including the National Trust, Royal Opera House and Legoland.

Simon Reveley, Chief Executive Officer of Figment Productions, added:

“It takes a lot to grab the attention of audiences today, but heritage sites have a distinct advantage; the space to bring people together for shared experiences that they simply can’t get at home and that’s what this project is all about.

“This immersive cinema experience will use sensory effects, 3D visuals and most importantly, an authentic, gripping, heart-pounding true story. We’ll offer guests a whole new perspective of the Mary Rose; being with the divers as they worked beneath the waves. We want visitors to feel like they played their part in that historic moment in 1982!”

The best value ticket visitors to the Mary Rose Museum can buy is the Ultimate Explorer ticket, allowing guests access to all attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard including its Gosport museums for 12 months, with prices frozen for the second season in a row. The Ultimate Explorer ticket enables visitors to enjoy a harbour tour and hop on the waterbus service from the dockyard to visit two exciting Gosport attractions; the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, where visitors can step onboard the only remaining Second World War era submarine – HMS Alliance.

The Ultimate Explorer ticket starts from £39 per adult and £29 per child. It is valid for multiple entries through the year, with family tickets available. To find out more about purchasing an Ultimate Explorer ticket, and all it has to offer, visit: https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/