Sat. Oct 5th, 2024

To 2nd September 2018 Kids Go Free

Looking for a great family day out? Ever wondered how the Tudors built their heavy wooden ship? Want to build up a picture of where the Mary Rose sank in 1545?

This holiday, the Mary Rose is launching an exciting program of Tudor events, and what’s more, with every purchase of an adult ticket, kids go free (up to three children accompanied by at least one paying adult, children must be 15 or younger. Offer runs 21st July – 2nd September). These tickets are valid for 12 months from the purchase date, so you can also experience the Tudor fun throughout the year!

Whether you’re new to the Mary Rose experience, or an old hand, there’s plenty of activities planned to beat the summer holiday tedium.

21st – 29th July Totally Tudor – Getting Shipshape

Free to all Mary Rose ticket holders.

 Discover the ancient skills of shipwrighting as a team of experts use replica tools recovered from the Mary Rose to demonstrate hewing, hacking and cleaving by building a replica Jolywat, a type of 16th century ship’s boat that will take a number of years to complete. The shipwrights will be answering questions about building Henry’s ‘army by sea’ and keeping the Mary Rose shipshape during battle.

Demonstrating ancient shipwrighting skills in Totally Tudor – Getting Shipshape. ©The Mary Rose Trust.

  21st July – 2nd September Tudor England: Brick by Brick

£6 for one 8x8cm LEGO® brick plate and get a ‘make and take’ model. See website for details. Pre-booking essential.

Following Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII that visitors built in May half-term; the Mary Rose is going even bigger! This summer, visitors are invited to recreate with LEGO bricks, the colourful Cowdray engraving, a giant picture of Tudor Portsmouth featuring the sinking Mary Rose. The finished mosaic will be 12 metres wide and 3 metres tall, one of the largest LEGO brick mosaics ever made in the UK. Participants will also make and take home their own mini LEGO brick model. This event is produced in partnership with Bright Bricks, the UK’s premier independent LEGO brick building company.

Help complete the Lego brick mosaic in Tudor England: Brick by Brick. ©The Mary Rose Trust.

 7th – 8th August Totally Tudor Takeover of Southsea Castle

Admission to the castle is free.

Join the team at Southsea Castle from where Henry VIII watched his beloved Mary Rose sink during the Battle of the Solent in 1545. There will be talks about the sinking of the Mary Rose, real Tudor objects to examine, storytelling, games and archery.

Black Knight Historical will host Hobby Horse Jousting where kids can dress up as medieval knights, and ride a fearsome destrier, charging down the jousting field! They also will run St. George’s Knight School where aspiring young knights can hone their skills.

Knights in training line up at the Totally Tudor Takeover of Southsea Castle. ©The Mary Rose Trust.

As well as these special summer activities, visitors to the Mary Rose can enjoy the immersive experience, a journey into Tudor life all year round. Hold genuine rope from the ship, pick up cannonballs and try pulling a longbow. Be surrounded by the sounds on board as the crew come alive through vivid projections. Their personal items – shoes, games, even nit combs – have been carefully conserved and are presented in stunning, atmospheric displays.

For further details, please visit www.maryrose.org.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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