The NMM as a museum, tourist attraction and leisure facility

People are at the heart of everything we do as a museum and tourist attraction. Children's faces projected onto the Queen's House. ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, LondonThe National Maritime Museum (NMM) is the largest maritime museum in the world and is rated in the top ten of places to visit in the UK's Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.

As an important tourist attraction, leisure facility and heritage organization, the NMM mission is:

… to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars, and their relationship with people

Excellent customer service is part of the Museum's responsibilities, objectives and values. See how in our mission statement (PDF, 68KB).

The Visit London Tourist Website of the Year award, 2003. The Museum was awarded 'highly commended'As a publicly-funded museum, it provides an important public service in collecting, preserving and displaying artefacts and manuscripts describing Britain's seafaring past and traditions. These are used for education, recreational viewing and personal research.

The basic customer service the NMM provides is access for everyone to its historical buildings and collections.

During 2008-09, the NMM recorded 2.07 million visitors through its three sites:  the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House and the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. 

Definition of a museum:

Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artefacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for society.
Museums Association

Note – putting 'people' at the start of the definition shows the importance of customers to everything a museum does.

Find out more about all three Museum sites and Greenwich in our 'Essential introduction to the Museum'.