The Mary Rose and Portsmouth's Maritime History

On his ascent to the throne in 1509, faced with ever-present threats from France and Scotland, Henry VIII began to build up his navy. Mary Rose was to become the pride of Henry's fleet, but after 34 years of service in 1545, she sank in the Solent whilst leading an attack on a French invasion fleet. Here she lay undisturbed until her rediscovery in 1971 and then excavation and salvage in 1982, a milestone in the field of maritime archaeology which uncovered a wonderfully preserved Tudor time capsule. On May 31st 2013 the brand new Mary Rose Museum opened in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival 
Arrive independently at the Marriott Portsmouth Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception and private dinner with wine followed by a talk by Christopher Dobbs, Curator Emeritus at the Mary Rose Trust, 'Diving on the Mary Rose'. On October 11 1982, the Mary Rose was finally raised to the surface after 17 years of search, survey and excavation. Christopher Dobbs, a maritime archaeologist and professional diver was on the team that worked on the excavation and salvage of this historic ship between 1979 and 1982.  More recently he was a leading member of the team that created the new museum.  Christopher's fully illustrated lecture will include recounting what it was like to find objects inside the wreck during the excavations and to be one of the divers under the water as the ship was raised from the seabed.

Day 2: Fort Nelson, Spinnaker Tower, Southsea Castle and private viewing of the Mary Rose Museum
A full day will take us to Fort Nelson, home to the Royal Armouries national collection of artillery - the Big Guns. Positioned atop Portsdown Hill with panoramic views across Portsmouth Harbour we will be able to view the development of artillery from pre-gunpowder siege machines to modern-day super guns. Next, we go up the Spinnaker Tower to gain a magnificent view across to the Isle of Wight and see the layout for the Battle of the Solent during which the Mary Rose capsized and sank in 1545. We will have a short coach tour of old Portsmouth, viewing the sites that remain from the Tudor period and stop at Southsea Castle, one of Henry VIII's forts built to defend the south coast of England in 1544. It was from here that Henry witnessed the sinking of his flagship Mary Rose in the Battle of the Solent in 1545. Return to the hotel with time to freshen up before a late afternoon high tea with a glass of prosecco in the hotel before travelling to the Mary Rose Museum for the highlight of the weekend, a private evening viewing of the newly updated museum. On arrival, you will enjoy a reception drink and an exclusive introduction from Chris to the new 4-D film to help you visualise what it was like diving on the Mary Rose.  After this you will have a private viewing of thousands of the objects raised during the excavations, many of which were not on display in the old museum, ranging from bronze guns bearing Henry VIII's ciphers and crowns to whole sets of pewter, and even chests full of the men’s possessions, some of them found and raised by Mr Dobbs himself.

Day 3: Full day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
We will spend today exploring the museums and ships of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The historic dockyard plays host to Admiral Lord Nelson's HMS Victory and the Trafalgar Experience, the Victorian iron-clad HMS Warrior, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and HMS M33 a gunboat that fought in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915-16. There is also the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy a harbour tour with live commentary from the skipper detailing the ships in dock and important landmarks. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion

Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.

This tour takes a maximum group size is 40 passengers.

NB: You must bring photo – ID like a passport or driving licence on this tour as the Naval Base is Ministry of Defence property.  When we enter the dockyard on Saturday night after public hours, it is a secure area and all personnel entering must have a valid photo ID.  If you do not bring photo ID on this tour, you may not be allowed access on Saturday night.

Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to the amount of walking involved and standing time for viewing at attractions. There are long walks on both days from the nearest place the coach can drop you to reach the attraction. On day 2, there is a 300m walk from the coach stop to the Spinnaker Tower, and a 200m walk from the coach stop to Southsea Castle. At the castle there is a good view of the Solent where the Mary Rose sank from the battlements of Southsea Castle, which is up a short flight of narrow steps.  The tour of the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson is about one hour on foot. On day 3, during the visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum are 500m from the coach drop-off point and the Dockyard is a large site. 

INCLUDED

• Two nights' accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the four-star Marriott Portsmouth, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome reception
• First night private three-course dinner with wine 
• Second day late afternoon high tea with a glass of prosecco at the hotel
• Private evening with drinks reception at the Mary Rose Museum 
• All visits and entrance fees 
• Talks from Chris Dobbs
• Coach transfers and tour manager throughout 

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Double for sole use supplement - £106
• Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis 
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc 
• Porterage and gratuities 

HOTELS

Marriott Portsmouth 
The four-star Marriott Portsmouth is located near to Port Solent Marina and a short drive away from the historic dockyards and Spinnaker Tower. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar and lounge, fitness centre, indoor swimming pool and comfortable bedrooms with private en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, air-conditioning, minibar, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.

Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel. 

Marriott Portsmouth Hotel Website

MORE INFO - Please click here for more information

Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.  

You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day. 

For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation. 

The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.

Please note your ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is only valid for a one day visit.