Residents of Portsmouth can experience Tudor history first-hand this half term at the Mary Rose Museum. The Mary Rose’s core half‑term programme runs Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February 2026 to coincide with the Hampshire school half‑term, with some family activities at the museum running through Sunday 23 February 2026.
Professional performers from the Groundlings Theatre Trust — the community-focused theatre and drama school that has recently moved into Boathouse 5 in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard — will lead immersive ‘living history’ sessions. Families will be able to meet characters such as a Tudor housewife and take part in hands‑on workshops, including tallow (Tudor) candle‑making and demonstrations of Tudor medicine.
These activities form part of the Mary Rose’s ‘Anchored in the Community’ programme and the wider cultural regeneration of the Portsmouth Historic Quarter. Organisers say bringing theatre into museum spaces is intended to make local maritime history feel more personal and accessible to city residents.
The museum has confirmed a ‘Lights Up’ relaxed (low‑sensory) morning will run on Thursday 19 February 2026, with adjusted lighting and reduced sound for visitors who prefer a quieter experience.
The Mary Rose Trust, which manages the museum, has framed the programme as part of its drive to increase local ownership of the collection. As Dominic Jones, CEO of the Mary Rose Trust, has put it: ‘The Mary Rose is Portsmouth. Our goal is to ensure every resident feels a sense of ownership over this history.’
Tickets and full programme details are available from the Mary Rose website, and further context on the Groundlings’ move into Boathouse 5 can be found on the Groundlings site and local press coverage.
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