Bucket list experience:
Credit Shutterstock.com/Ron Ellis
One of the world’s most extraordinary historic relics, the Mary Rose is a 16th-century ship that sailed as part of Henry VIII’s navy. Sunk in battle in 1545, some 60 million people around the world watched the remains of the ship bought to the surface on live television, 437 years later.
Now located in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard complex, visitors to the museum can see the remains of the boat from an elevated walkway, with many original artifacts on display, alongside interactive exhibits that give an insight into life on-board.
Meet Hatch, the ship’s dog and chief ratcatcher, whose skeleton takes pride of place in the exhibition.
The Virtual Cowdray engraving is a copy of a painting commissioned some time between 1545-8, showing the Battle of the Solent – in which the Mary Rose was sunk.
The Mary Rose Museum is part of the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard complex, around 90 minutes’ drive from London. It’s a few minutes’ walk from Portsmouth Harbour rail station, which is around 90 minutes from London Waterloo.
Tickets can be purchased online through the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard website. Visitors can buy either a ‘one attraction’ ticket, giving access to just the Mary Rose Museum, or a ‘three attraction’ or ‘Ultimate Explorer’ ticket, which gives access to the other on-site museums.
There are three levels of guided tour available; one- two-hour or a Premium tour. Pre-booking is advised.
The museum is open all year round, seven days a week. A popular choice for school groups, weekdays can be as busy as weekends; going first thing in the morning may mean you see at least some of the exhibition before groups arrive.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
London
£360 | Rating 4.76 / 5 [13 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Beaulieu, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)[22 miles]
Stay in a slice of Britain’s seafaring history at this magical hotel, in an idyllic setting by the Beaulieu River.
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Beaulieu, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)[24.1 miles]
A traditional manor house hotel with a wonderful garden, in the picturesque village of Beaulieu.
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Beaulieu, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)[22.2 miles]
A waterfront hamlet that was once the centre of English shipbuilding. The picturesque row of Georgian cottages is now a living history museum.
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