I always wanted to see the Mary Rose ever since
those watery pictures on the television when it was discovered. Now the years of painstaking research, new discoveries and perseverance has paid off. A wonderful exhibition full of artifacts.
Picture top left is a model of the ship when it sailed.
There are vast expanses of the ship on display over three floors. Each floor tells of different aspects of its history, the people who fought, the carpenters and their tools, the archers, the cooks, the people who worked on the rigging. A surgeon and his gruesome instruments and even the skeleton of the ship’s dog.
The whole exhibition is so well laid out. There are several opportunities to talk to experts about the ship and several ‘hands on’ opportunities to feel the ropes,
or try the weight of an archer’s bow.
The difference between rank was in evident in accommodation, belongings etc. which is part and parcel of naval life today. I was 
intrigued that music making was part of the scene. 
We not only saw the kind of instruments played but due to new technology heard the sound.
On an all in one ticket one can see the Mary Rose, Nelson’s Flag Ship, the Warrior and many more exhibitions as well as a trip round the harbour. There was too much to do so one thing each and then settled on the boat trip. We went with a local Art Group but Brighton and Hove buses do trips and Portsmouth Harbour Station which is a few minutes walk to all the attractions. There is also a huge shopping centre for shopaholics but we gave that a miss!
Ann Perrin 