From Shackleton's Antarctic adventures and Cook's travels in the South Pacific, to Franklin's search for the North-West Passage and Christian's infamous mutiny on the Bounty, we delve into some of history's most famous expeditions. Read about the journeys that ended in triumph and those that were doomed to fail.

How to design a research ship: the building of HMS Challenger
Plans for HMS Challenger reveal how the ship was transformed from warship to research vessel - and set the blueprint for future scientific expeditions
11 May 2020
200 years of HMS Beagle: Charles Darwin, Galapagos, and an enduring legacy
On 11 May 1820 the ship that would later carry Charles Darwin to the Galapagos Islands was launched. Find out more about the remarkable legacy of HMS Beagle.
South Pole exploration: Robert Falcon Scott, 1901–04
In the early 20th century the race was on to reach the South Pole. Robert Falcon Scott led the first British expedition.
James Cook’s First Voyage
Science and secret missions in the South Seas; Cook’s first great voyage quickly became the stuff of national legend
Sir Ernest Shackleton
Discover the remarkable journey Shackleton undertook to save his crew from death.
Captain James Cook timeline
Follow the key events in Captain Cook's life of adventure from a simple start to global fame and a grisly death
What did Sir Francis Drake discover?
Who was Sir Francis Drake? Discover the life of the Tudor sailor and privateer
19 Feb 2009
Conrad Martens: The second voyage of the HMS 'Beagle'
If, like me, you've enjoyed reading about Darwin recently then you'll know that this year marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. But you may not have read that here, at the National Maritime Museum, we hold many important artifacts relating to Darwin and his works including some superb watercolours showing Darwin's expedition by, the official artist on board the Beagle, Conrad Martens.