Essential Information
| Location |
National Maritime Museum
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| Price | Free |
Experience compelling stories of exploration, adventure, power, wealth and conflict including the Spanish Armada, Christopher Columbus, pirates and privateers.
Inside the gallery
Through 130 objects from the Museum’s rich early modern collections, experience a compelling story of exploration, encounter, adventure, power, wealth and conflict.
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Experience the lives of both ordinary seamen and well-known characters, such as Christopher Columbus, 'Blackbeard', Elizabeth I, Francis Drake and Samuel Pepys.
Hear stories of the exploration and colonisation of the ‘New Worlds’ and the devastating impact this had on the indigenous communities who lived there.
Discover the ferocity of early-modern naval warfare through the conflicts with the Spanish Armada and the Dutch.
Behind the scenes
Discover the incredible lengths our conservation team went to in order to unlock a treasure chest belonging to Francis Drake. What did they discover inside?
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Delve Deeper
The Golden Age of Piracy
Though pirates have existed since ancient times, the Golden Age of piracy was in the 17th and early 18th centuries. During this time more than 5000 pirates were said to be at sea.
The Spanish Armada: history, causes and timeline
Learn more about the defining moment of Elizabeth I's reign
Sir Francis Drake facts
Expert navigator and Elizabethan hero, pirate and slave trader: learn 10 quick facts about Francis Drake
Gifts inspired by seafaring in the Tudor and Stuart eras
Choose your tickets
National Maritime Museum
- Guaranteed entry time
- Access to all free galleries and activities
- Special exhibitions free in 2024
| Free entry |
|---|
| Book online |
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 |