From Witches to Stitches - Tudor Medicine this October half term

This October Half Term we’re delving into the murky medicine and hair-raising healing of fifteenth century life.

The Wise Woman and the Surgeon’s Wife

Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th October 2025 11:30, 12:30, 13:30 & 14:15

Come and meet the Wise Woman and the Surgeon’s wife. Bring your wounds and your woes to our two Tudor ‘experts’ – the local wise woman and the wife of the ship’s surgeon. Find out what cures and potions they can recommend and what disgusting diseases they can treat… with even more disgusting remedies!

Make your own lantern

Monday 27 October – Friday 31 October 2025 11:00 – 15:00 daily

Shine a light this Halloween on the dark and dingy parts of our ship and the world of Tudor medicine. How did a surgeon see what he was doing when treating his patients below decks? Make your own Tudor Lantern – beef tallow candles not included!

Take the Surgeon’s Trail

Throughout October Half Term

Take the Surgeon’s trail through the museum as he checks up on the health of the crew and help him find essential ingredients and equipment.

Head back to Henry VIII’s England this October half term at the Mary Rose Museum, home of one of history’s more famous shipwrecks, lost beneath the waves in 1545.

• Join Hatch, the ship’s dog as his exciting trail leads you through the museum on a multi-sensory exploration of the story of the Mary Rose, her crew and the Tudor world.
• Uncover the raising of the Mary Rose, told in immersive 4D, with Dive the Mary Rose 4D. Discover how she was able to stay hidden for hundreds of years at the bottom of the Solent and see her awe-inspiring return to the surface, told in stunning detail.
• Explore real Tudor objects – from nit combs to backgammon sets, shoes and bowls with personal markings, the Museum is full of actual objects, recover from the seabed, that depict the day-to-day life of people living in Tudor England.

Make the most of the October half term with an experience that’s both thrilling and enriching. Warm up in our café with seasonal treats, or explore our gift shop for unique souvenirs to remember your visit.

Whether you’re seeking adventure or a cosy journey through history, the Mary Rose Museum offers a fascinating and family-friendly escape this autumn.