Perhaps like me, nearly 20 years ago, you followed the Blue Peter Mary Rose Appeal and watched excitedly as she was raised from her watery grave. That was the starting point for my trip to Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Museum is home to the Mary Rose wreck. I remember as a youngster watching it all on T.V. and the experts saying she would need to be treated with a special spray as a preservative for 20 years or so and to see the process still at work makes you feel like you are watching history in action and it certainly is special to see this old ship with your own eyes.

The museum site itself is made up of a number of smaller museums and attractions. You can pay for entry into each individually or get a 'pass' for all attractions at a fraction of the price and it lasts a year, so you don't have to do the whole site in the same day if you don't want to, very good value for money!

My husband and I have visited 4 times now, so I guess we would recommend it! Its amazing to wander about HMS Victory, Nelsons ship that was in the battle of Trafalgar, and imagine this ship really was out at sea then. The tour guides are very helpful and give real insight into life as a sailor in the 1800's which wasn't pleasant. This is definately one of the highlights of the museums. The HMS Warrior 1860, the first iron hulled battleship, is also housed here and can be freely walked around and is today as she was then, when she was first built.

All in all its a really good visit for young and old and a good way to learn a peice of history.

On a different note, the harbour front also houses Gun Wharf Quays, the ultimate shopping, leisure and entertainment centre. There is so much choice when it comes to shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and is pleasant to stroll around. A 14 screen cinema and the Bowlplex are just two of the entertainments available and a nice way to end the day is to enjoy a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants and watch the harbour lights.

We would recommend you having some time here, we are sure you won't be disappointed, we weren't.