So much has changed in the four years since our last visit to the Mary Rose. The Three-Year-old wasn’t earthside for a start (so this technically wasn’t his first visit!), and I remember being very grateful for the cool and darkened corridors (plus the places to sit and rest!) as I waddled from one end of the ship to the other trying to keep up with everyone.
Now, of course, we have a rambunctious three and a bit-year-old, and I don’t get a chance to waddle anywhere, or indeed sit down and rest much (generally!). Although it doesn’t stop us, museum visits can be a particularly unrelaxing experience unless there’s something to keep him occupied and interested.
Thankfully The Mary Rose recently launched something which does exactly all of the above, and so we became Ship Wreck Explorers for our most recent visit (last weekend!) complete with a treasure map and everything.
Following the map carefully and studying it for clues, we were able to locate several treasure trunks throughout the museum, each full of fun but educational activities designed to keep children busy… The Three-Year-Old learned a lot of small-person sized info about this once magnificent ship (actually, I think it’s still pretty magnificent!) and the 500 people who once sailed on her all those years ago thanks to this clever story trail…
Favourite trunks included a large skeleton jigsaw, another that contained a feast you had to create for the Captain (he’s not going to get scurvy with the amount of peas he was dished up, but his cholesterol levels might be about to combust given the meat mountain he was expected to eat!).
We spent ages in this section whilst our tiny chef set out dishes and put together “interesting” meals- but I wasn’t complaining, as every few minutes the most amazing light show would take place, projecting the Tudor Crew in times of war and peace on the ancient timber frame together with accompanying sounds such as the groaning and creaking of the ship, or the crew getting ready for a battle. It’s really mesmerising and quite otherworldly…
There are plenty of hands-on activities for Small People aside from the trunks themselves, including handling objects from life back in 1545, exploring the sights and sounds of the time through objects found on board, and via interactive displays (with apologies to those quietly trying to read exhibit notes whilst the three-year-old was busy destroying ships with the cannonball game. This wasn’t really the point by the way, ships were worth a lot more money intact rather than under the sea!)… There are also dressing up opportunities plus the chance to see if you are strong enough to use a Tudor Long Bow…
My teens really enjoyed the Faces of the Mary Rose Exhibition, telling the story of the ship and her crew through their personal possessions and professional tools. What they can now tell about a person, the life they lived and where they came from through their bones alone is quite incredible. It was so interesting to discover more about life in Tudor England and how it was much more diverse than you might expect – the crew consisted of many different cultures.
The most popular Mary Rose crew member has to be Hatch (he was our favourite last visit too!) the beloved dog that was thought to belong to the ship’s carpenter (his skeleton was found outside his door). Hatch is a much bigger part of the story than he was previously and really appealed to the three-year-old. He loved creating his ideal pet dog on an interactive screen, which was a little hard as green dogs didn’t come into the category equation, but we ended up with a relatively normal dog at the end of it all…
So much thought has been put into the many different aspects of the museum, from the artefacts, the interactive activities, the Shipwreck Explorer treasure trail for the tinies, the educational aspect in terms of puzzles, all with the backdrop of this beautiful ship. The Mary Rose is a really special place, run by passionate people (it’s clear to see the staff love working here!), and one that I know we will visit again and again as we are only half an hour up the road.
Lunch afterwards at Boathouse 4 proved equally lovely and peaceful thanks to the view of the harbour and the boats of many shapes and sizes outside to watch. Want to know what we had for lunch? A Mary Rose Burger, and a Mary Rose Ale to go with it, naturally!
Linking to CulturedKids, FearlessFamilyTravel
The Mary Rose has kindly offered my readers a 25% discount when purchasing tickets online. Enter the code ‘Bavarian25’ into the check out box when you go through to the checkout. There’s no limit as to how many times you can use the code, or how many tickets you purchase. All tickets last for a year!
*we were invited to visit the Mary Rose and review the Shipwreck Explorers. All words and opinions are my own.
I’m a huge maritime fan and this founds right up my street. My son would love the treasure map. It’s such a great way to get younger kids interested in the exhibition. #fearlessfamtrav
It’s a really fun way to get small children involved! Thanks Cath! :)
We have some plans for the summer in the south of England and this sounds a family must-see!! And it’s a great chance to learn more about the story of England that we need to know more :) #culturedkids
Thanks so much Francesca! :)
I love the Mary Rose and it sounds to have got even better now! A great day out for the whole family. #culturedkids
It really is. Thanks Nancy! :)
I remember the Mary rose being lifted from the sea! We’ve never visited but i’ve always wanted to. This looks like a fantastic day out – so much to be learned in an interactive way. My boys would love it. Thanks so much for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav
If you remember watching it on Blue Peter, we must be a similar age! :D
I haven’t been to visit the Mary Rose since I was a child myself. It sounds like there’s lots of fun things for kids to do now. My girls would love finding all the puzzles in the chests
I think they would love it Zena! :) Thank you.
It’s been years since we visited the Mary Rose – not since the restoration was completed. You’ve reminded me how much I need to get over there, my youngest doesn’t remember it at all, and the Historic Dockyard is such a great day out.
You really should. It’s such a good day out (plus the discount is relevant for ages yet! :D)
I visited about twenty years ago! I keep meaning to go back with the children it looks fantastic. Kaz
Such a great place for a visit! Thanks Kaz! :)
What a fantastic day out! we haven’t made it here yet but my eldest would love it.
I would really really recommend it! Thanks Katy! :)
what a fun experience for kids! #fearlessfamtrav
It’s a brilliant day out! Thanks Tanja! :)
What a great opportunity for a discount on a wonderful experience!
Thanks Susanna! :) x
I love anywhere that makes exhibitions interesting and interactive for kids and when it’s somewhere like the Mary Rose that has such a fascinating history, even better! I know my kids would love to visit here – and meet Hatch!
Hatch is still very sweet despite his skeletal appearance! :D Thanks Katja! :)
I’ve been wanting to visit it since I was a kid and remember seeing it brought up on the news. The treasure hunt sounds fantastic and is a great way to keep little ones focused through exhibits. Ships are one of our families favourites so we’re adding it to the list of places we want to visit now.
It’s such a great place to visit. Thanks Cerys! :)
That’s such a super cool place to visit isn’t it. Really educational.
Thanks Karen. It’s really cool! :)
Time to visit the Mary Rose again by the looks of it!
You must, it’s brilliant! :)
I love how interactive it all looks. My boys would be in their element here!
It’s really interactive now! So much fun! :)
That looks like a great trip out for the whole family. I’m really not sure how we have never been to the dockyard! I will definitely have to try an visit this summer.
I know how much you will enjoy it! My code lasts until the end of the year too (although only applicable to the MaryRose. The dockyard is a seperate entity!) x
We visited the Mary Rose last summer, and absolutely loved it there. This new treasure hunt sounds fantastic.
It’s really good fun! Thanks Nell! :)
This is great to read and it sounds like a lot of thought has gone into making this a really interactive family visit. I’ve not been myself yet but might take advantage of your discount offer, and I’ll add your link to a post I wrote about shipwreck visits if I may? #fearlessfamtravel
Please do Lucy! And I hope you get to use the code soon! :)
Great exhibition. Like the statue in the last pic too #FearlessfamTrav
Thanks Lydia :)
That sounds like such a fun museum! We tend to steer away from museums because the kids get so bored but I think they would like this one. #fearlessfamtrav
There’s honestly a lot going on for all ages here! :) Thanks Allison!
Time to revisit the Mary Rose I think! She was excellent before but sounds even better now. #CulturedKids
Really good. I need to go back without the three year old to read all the stuff properly! :D
Wow, a lot HAS changed at the Mary Rose. We really enjoyed our visit, probably also about 4 years ago, but it sounds even more family friendly now. We’re due a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard so will have to see this again. #CulturedKids
I think it’s honestly ten times more family friendly now, and it was great back then! Thanks Vyki! :)
This looks so cool and very educational! My niece would enjoy this x
It’s really fun. Thank you Louise! :)
It is a great interactive display isn’t it – mine were really nervous of meeting Henry VIII though
We didn’t bump into him on this particular day thankfully! :D Thanks Kara
I remember visiting the Mary Rose as a kid but it’s been a long time since I went. I’d love to go back as the Tudor period really interests me x
I love that period of history too, fascinating. And they really were so much more advanced than we think! Thanks Rhian! x
I’m so pleased Mary Rose had its mascot, Hatch! And how interesting they were able to recreate the face of one of the crew. #CULTUREDKIDS
They recreated the faces of quite a few of its crew, and found out a lot about their backgrounds. Fascinating! :)
Loving the interactive trail and activities available for the children. It really does help get them involved with the location and learn through play.
Such a fun idea! Thanks Sarah! :)
What a fantastic chance to learn some great history,especially since you Brits ruled the seas back then…I admit,I was sorting hoping there was some rum to be found during your visit!!
I bet there was some rum somewhere! :D Thanks Patrick!
I really love theb Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, it is such a wonderful day out. I still have parts of it I need to explore. Mich x
I always see something new each visit too! :D Thanks Michelle! :) x