Name: The Mary Rose
Rating: 5.0

The Mary Rose

Mary Rose Museum, Main Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Description

The Mary Rose is an award-winning museum category attraction located within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It is widely considered one of the best things to do with kids in Portsmouth because it houses the only 16th-century warship on display anywhere in the world. You can explore thousands of genuine Tudor artefacts recovered from the seabed, providing a unique window into life during the reign of Henry VIII.

Planning a visit is simple with several ticket tiers available for families. Prices start from £36.00 for a single attraction child ticket, though many families opt for the multi-attraction passes that offer better value for a full day out. All tickets purchased directly from the website are valid for 12 months, allowing you to return for free as many times as you like.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines high-tech immersion with real-world history, this is it. It provides a world-class educational day out where children can see everything from the ship's massive wooden hull to the personal belongings of the crew. The museum uses stunning light projections and interactive screens to make a 500-year-old story feel incredibly modern and exciting.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

The Ship Hall: This area features interactive exhibits where laser projections show how the ship would have looked when fully crewed.
Tudor Treasures: An educational day out highlight showcasing over 19,000 artefacts, including weapons, tools, and even the skeletal remains of the ship's dog.
Sensory Play: Visual sensory play is woven throughout the museum with panoramic films and mirrors that recreate the scale of the original vessel.
Hands-on History: Dedicated areas allow kids to handle replicas of Tudor items to understand the weight and materials used 500 years ago.

Top 5 Highlights

The Mary Rose Hull: This is a "Helpful Peer" favourite because of the sheer scale. Standing next to the massive, preserved timbers of a real Tudor warship makes you feel like you've stepped into a time machine.
Hatch the Ship's Dog: Kids love meeting the skeleton of the crew's canine companion. It’s a highlight because it makes the history feel personal and helps children relate to the sailors who lived on board.
The Great Guns: See the massive bronze and iron cannons recovered from the wreck. It’s a must-see because they look incredibly powerful, and the museum explains exactly how dangerous it was to fire them.
Personal Belongings: Look for the nit combs, backgammon sets, and wooden bowls. These are great because they show kids that Tudor sailors were regular people who liked games and had to deal with itchy hair!
The Archer’s Bracers: A collection of leather arm guards used by the ship's longbowmen. Kids enjoy seeing the actual gear used by real-life Robin Hood-style soldiers.

Facilities

Toilets: Located on every floor of the museum, including baby changing and accessible facilities.
Buggy Parking: There is a dedicated buggy park at the museum entrance; the building itself is fully lift-accessible.
Food & Drink: The Mary Rose Café serves hot and cold food, while the nearby Boathouse 7 offers larger family meals.
Lockers: Small lockers are available for a £1 returnable deposit to store heavy bags.

Pro-Tips for Parents

Avoid the Midday Rush: The museum is usually quietest right at 10:00 am or after 3:30 pm.
Year-Long Value: Since your ticket lasts a year, don't feel rushed to see every single display in one go.
The 4D Experience: Book your slot for the 4D cinema as soon as you enter the museum, as it can fill up on busy weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it for toddlers? Under-3s are free, and while the history might go over their heads, the 4D cinema and light shows are very visually stimulating for younger children.
How long does a visit take? A thorough visit takes about 2 to 3 hours, but many families spend longer if they stop at the café or watch the 4D films.
Where is the best place to park? The Admiralty Road car park is the most convenient, but it can be expensive for a full day. Gunwharf Quays parking is a good alternative.
Are there cheap indoor activities in Portsmouth? The Mary Rose is a premium attraction, but because the ticket is valid for a whole year, it works out to be very cheap if you visit two or three times.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The light projections on the hull are brilliant for keeping children engaged with what could otherwise be "just old wood."
The museum is incredibly dark and atmospheric, which kids find very exciting and "spooky" in a fun way.
The staff are great at explaining the exhibits to children, often pointing out the weirdest and most interesting facts.

What Visitors Don't Like

The museum can be quite dark, which some very small children might find a little bit overwhelming at first.
It gets very busy during school holidays, so pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The Hull of the Mary Rose: The primary surviving section of the 1511 warship.
Bronze Great Gun: A massive, decorated cannon cast specifically for Henry VIII.
Hatch’s Skeleton: The remarkably preserved remains of the ship’s ratter dog.
The Cowdray Engraving: A giant contemporary image showing the ship sinking.
Tudor Longbows: Rare wooden bows that required immense strength to pull.
The Barber-Surgeon’s Chest: A collection of terrifying 16th-century medical tools.
Wooden Tankards: Authentic drinking vessels used by the crew.
The Master's Chest: A personal storage box containing navigation tools.
Pewter Plates: High-status dining ware found in the officers' quarters.
Leather Shoes: Hundreds of shoes that show the different sizes and styles of the era.

Beyond the Main Attraction

HMS Victory: Located just a few metres away, you can compare a Tudor ship to Nelson's famous 18th-century flagship.
HMS Warrior: Explore the Victorian era’s most powerful iron-clad warship within the same dockyard site.
Action Stations: A physical play zone in Boathouse 6 with climbing walls and naval simulators.
Harbour Tours: Take a boat trip from the jetty to see the modern Royal Navy fleet.

New for 2026

Dive the Mary Rose 4D: This brand-new immersive cinema experience for the 2026 season uses 4D effects to make you feel like you are underwater during the 1982 salvage operation.
Tudor Virtual Reality: A new VR station allowing kids to "walk" on the decks of the ship before it sank.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Individual: £51.00
Child (3–15 years): £36.00
Family (1 Adult + 3 Children): £99.00
Family+ (2 Adults + 3 Children): £120.00
Under 3: Free
Carer: Free

Pricing URL: https://tickets.historicdockyard.co.uk/en/maryrose/phd-tickets?_ga=2.69025617.1952458196.1778840383-1894947068.1778840383

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

The Mary Rose does not offer standard children's birthday party packages (e.g., with soft play or cake). For private hire or educational group bookings: Contact Email: [email protected]

April – October: 10:00am – 5:30pm (last entry 4:30pm)
November – March: 10:00am – 5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm)

Address: Mary Rose Museum, Main Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, UK

Post Code: PO1 3PY

Council: Portsmouth

County: Hampshire

By Train: Just a 5-minute walk from Portsmouth Harbour Station.
By Car: Use postcode PO1 3PY. Follow signs for Historic Dockyard.
Parking: The official Historic Dockyard Car Park is located on Admiralty Road.