When I moved to Portsmouth around three years ago for university, I thought I had the place figured out. A quiet city by the sea, a student area surrounded by pubs and clubs, and, of course, the Spinnaker Tower that watches over everything. But it wasn’t until a recent visit to the Mary Rose Museum, with my father, that I realised just how much history was embedded beneath the surface of my small uni town and how it’s been there all along, waiting to be discovered… 

The Mary Rose Museum, located within the Historic Dockyard, tells the incredible story of Henry VIII’s beloved warship, the Mary Rose. What I expected to be a standard museum visit, for the sake of my father’s interests, turned into a deep dive into Portsmouth’s maritime legacy, and I walked away fascinated, perhaps even a little ashamed that I’d spent three years here without knowing any of this history!

The moment you step into the museum, you’re transported to a world that’s both haunting and inspiring. The centerpiece, of course, is the remains of the Mary Rose itself, raised from the seabed in 1982 after over 400 years underwater. Seeing this massive structure up close is breathtaking. There’s a quiet dignity to the ship alongside the dark blue ambient lighting, a reminder of the hundreds of men who served and died aboard her on that fateful day back in 1545.

But what truly amazed me were the artefacts. The museum holds over 19,000 objects recovered from the wreck, each one offering a glimpse into life aboard a Tudor warship. From the weapons to the surgeon’s tools and even the skeleton of the ship’s dog “Hatch”, it felt like these people were reaching through time to share their stories. The curators have done an outstanding job of contextualising everything, so it’s not just a collection of old objects, as well as serving as a memorial site, it's a vivid, tangible connection to the past.

As I wandered through the exhibitions, I couldn’t help but think about the city around me. Portsmouth has always been a naval town, but it’s easy to overlook that when you’re caught up in student life. Seeing the Mary Rose brought home just how vital this city was to British maritime history.This wasn’t just some random ship, it was Henry VIII’s flagship, and Portsmouth was the heart of his naval operations. Suddenly, the streets I walk every day felt steeped in significance.

What also came as a surprise to me was how advanced the museum is. The use of technology to recreate the ship’s story is exceptional. The interactive displays, holograms of the crew, and atmospheric sounds really immerse you in the Tudor world. They even had a “Dive the Mary Rose” 4D immersive experience where you can dive into the untold story of the finding, excavation and recovery of the Mary Rose in a cinema experience. It’s an experience that is educational without feeling overwhelming, a rare balance. 

Walking out of the museum, I couldn’t stop thinking about Mary Rose. How have I missed this piece of history for the past three years? Portsmouth is more than a student town or a seaside view, it’s a city with a rich and layered past that deserves exploration. The Mary Rose Museum was a wake-up call for me, a reminder that sometimes, the most fascinating stories are hiding right under your nose. So if you’re in Portsmouth, whether for a day or for years, don’t make the mistake I did. Visit the Mary Rose Museum. You won’t just learn about a ship, you’ll uncover a deeper connection to this historic city.