The National Maritime Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world.
The galleries and displays allow you to discover ships and boats of all shapes and sizes, voyage across the world’s oceans, and experience epic adventures of exploration and encounter. After your visit, the sea will never be the same again.
From historic treasures to family favourites, hidden gems to major exhibitions, get a taste of what you can see and do at the National Maritime Museum today.
Things to see and do
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Travel the world in the Museum's free galleries
Explore everywhere from the icy Arctic to the islands of the Pacific in the National Maritime Museum's permanent galleries.
The galleries include many of the highlights of the Museum, including relics from the Titanic and the uniform that Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar. Listen to the free audio guide on your phone to find out more about the stories behind the objects.
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Watch out for Pirates
Heroic rascals or violent criminals? Discover the truth behind pirate life in this major National Maritime Museum exhibition for 2025.
Pirates traces the changing depictions of pirates through the ages and reveals the brutal reality behind the fiction.
Featuring more than 200 remarkable objects, the exhibition charts the story of piracy around the globe and explores our shifting attitudes to history's most infamous seafarers.
Learn more about the exhibition
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Discover Ocean Court
Ocean Court is the main central courtyard of the Museum and home to some of the largest objects in the collection. Following a major refurbishment project it's now also the place to explore our amazing ocean.
With a giant 'map of the world according to fish', new objects and displays, plus a wave of colour washing over the walls, we can't wait to welcome you back into the reimagined space.
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Journey through the universe
Astronomy Photographer of the Year is an annual competition featuring the world’s greatest space photography. Photographers from across the globe compete to take home the prestigious title.
Now it's your chance to see their spellbinding work. The current exhibition is free for all visitors and open every day until 11 August.
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Swing over to The Cove
Let your children's imaginations run wild at The Cove, an exciting outdoor playground next to Greenwich Park.
Clamber aboard the ship and take the wheel, spin on the compass roundabout, scramble through the mighty Kraken’s tentacles and come face to face with the giant Cutty Shark!
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Uncover the stories behind our objects
Our daily tours and gallery talks are the perfect way to discover the must-see highlights of the Museum, led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides.
Whether you want to take part in our guided Treasures Tour, listen to extraordinary tales during our Gallery Favourites talks or delve into the past with our volunteer guides, come and embark on a voyage of discovery.
Marvel at Nelson’s jacket
The jacket that Nelson was wearing when he was shot and fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar is on display for free at the National Maritime Museum's Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery. If you look closely you can even see the hole in the fabric where the bullet entered.
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See a real Fijian canoe
Fijian canoes, known as drua, can only be built by members of the community who inherited the right to use their skills from their ancestors. See this one in the Pacific Encounters gallery, where you can discover the traditions, histories and cultures of the Pacific. Learn about encounters between Europeans and the Te-Moananui-a-Kiwa (people of the Pacific Ocean), and the legacies still felt today.
Join a fantastic free festival
Vibrant Diwali celebrations, Lunar New Year lion dances, Windrush Day commemorations – the National Maritime Museum plays host to some truly memorable events throughout the year.
From major festivals to inspiring workshops, make sure you check our what's on listings to see what you could take part in.
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Find your connection to the sea
The Caird Library contains over 100,000 books, 20,000 pamphlets and 8000 rare books, which covers everything from the Royal Navy and piracy to shipwrecks and the two World Wars.
Want to discover more about your past? If you have family members who served or travelled on ships you can trace their history, and learn more about your ancestors.
Find more guides to your visit
What’s On
Events at the National Maritime Museum.
Choose your tickets
National Maritime Museum
- Guaranteed entry time
- Access to all free galleries and activities
- Astronomy Photographer of the Year currently included
| Free entry |
|---|
| Book online |
Special exhibition
Astronomy Photographer of the Year
- The world's greatest space photography
- Over 100 images on display
- Entry to National Maritime Museum included
Currently free
Member tickets
- Unlimited free entry
- Priority booking and exclusive events
- Access using your membership card
| Membership card number required |
|---|
Become a Member
- Unlimited entry all year
- Royal Observatory
- Cutty Sark
- Planetarium Shows
- Special exhibitions
| Direct Debit | One-off |
|---|---|
| Individual: £50 | Individual: £60 |
| Family: from £60 | Family: from £70 |