Museum highlights
Astronomers Take Over
This brand-new interactive gallery gives curious minds aged 4 to 104 the space to play, learn and explore!
Discover the galleries
Travel the world in the National Maritime Museum's free galleries, exploring everywhere from the icy Arctic to the islands of the Pacific
ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition
See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Unboxing the Universe
Blast off on an unforgettable journey through space in this exciting science theatre show, and answer some big questions about the Universe along the way
The Cove playground
Climb, play and explore at The Cove, a fabulous sea-themed playground at the National Maritime Museum
Pasifika Now
Young photographers from across the Pacific reveal contemporary life, heritage and identity through their own eyes
Join a guided tour
Uncover the wonders of our collection during these daily events
Find more things to do
Epic tales of exploration, maritime treasures and family-friendly galleries
Matariki festival
Come to the National Maritime Museum on Saturday 11 July to celebrate the Pacific and Māori New Year and learn about the connections between the stars and Pacific cultures
Plan your visit
How to book
The National Maritime Museum is free, and you do not need to book. However, if you would like to guarantee entry and receive updates before your visit, you are welcome to book free tickets online in advance.
Use the booking calendar to select your visit date and entry time, then select the number of tickets you require and click 'Add to basket'. Your tickets will be sent to you by email once you've completed your booking.
As well as our free galleries, we also host a number of special exhibitions throughout the year. Entry to the Museum is included with your exhibition tickets.
Eat and drink
The Parkside Café is a bright and airy space at the National Maritime Museum with expansive views of Greenwich Royal Park. There is plenty of seating, both indoor and outdoor. Enjoy delicious hot meals or seasonal salads, or grab-and-go from a wide selection of drinks, sandwiches, pastries and cakes.
Another option is the Ocean Court Café, located on the first floor of the Museum. This open-plan café sits alongside the Ocean Map and serves fresh coffee, sandwiches, kids' lunchboxes and even Cream Tea.
Shop
Find the perfect museum gift, from books and prints to models, toys and games. Visit us on site or shop online.
Accessibility information
We offer a variety of guides, events and resources designed to support visitors with diverse access needs.
Below you’ll find all the accessibility information you need about visiting the National Maritime Museum.
If you have questions:
- During your visit, ask a member of museum staff at the National Maritime Museum entrance desk
- Before your visit, email RMGEnquiries@rmg.co.uk with your queries.
Maps and audio guides
Download a free map to help guide you round the Museum. Dedicated audio guides are also available in different languages to help you make the most of your visit.
Gallery closures
Occasionally some galleries and spaces in the Museum will be closed events or to care for the objects on display. Find a full list of planned closures here.
Talks and tours
The National Maritime Museum is a treasure trove of objects, stories and memories.
Our daily tours and gallery talks are the perfect way to discover the must-see highlights of the Museum, all led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides.
We also offer private, out-of-hours tours to visitors wanting a unique, bespoke experience visiting the National Maritime Museum without the public. Read more about our out-of-hours tours and register your interest here.
Children's birthday parties
Make your child's birthday a memorable one by hosting their birthday party with an exclusive session at our AHOY! Children's Gallery, alongside a reserved space on our Ocean Map for food and drink.
Tickets and Opening
Free entry
10am-5pm
- Greenwich Station
- Cutty Sark DLR
- Maze Hill Station
- Greenwich Pier
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What’s on
Exhibitions and events at the National Maritime Museum.
Stories
250 years of the Declaration of Independence
The National Maritime Museum has put on display one of the earliest British reports of American independence, sent by a naval commander blockading New York
The mystery of the Mary Celeste
A brigantine found abandoned in the middle of the Atlantic, its crew never seen again... discover the enduring maritime mystery of the Mary Celeste
Pirate flags decoded
Learn more about pirate flags, including where they came from, how they were used, and the designs of some famous Jolly Rogers
The nautical origins of everyday phrases
Ever heard that traffic was chock-a-block, been called a son of a gun, or told someone you like the cut of their jib? Learn the maritime origins of phrases you hear every day
Turning our view of the world inside out: introducing the new Ocean Map
The National Maritime Museum's Ocean Map reminds us just how much of the Earth is covered by water – and how important the ocean is to our planet
Turner's 'The Battle of Trafalgar': a maligned masterpiece?
J.M.W. Turner's vast naval scene is a treasure of the Royal Museums Greenwich collection, but why was it so controversial when it was unveiled in 1824?
Pirates: fact or fiction?
From buried treasure to walking the plank, how much of what we think we know about pirates is really true?
A stitch in time: the secrets of textile conservation
A 19th century uniform with a dramatic history is on display at the National Maritime Museum. Come behind the scenes to discover the care that went into its conservation
A whistle for a life: surviving the Titanic tragedy
Meet steward Cecil and passenger Lillian, two young people whose fates intertwined during the sinking of the Titanic
What happened to the crew of Erebus and Terror?
Sir John Franklin's final voyage in 1845 in HMS Erebus and HMS Terror became the worst disaster in the history of British polar exploration
Unfolding the past: Elgin Cleckley and the Atlantic Worlds gallery
Through colour and cardboard, a contemporary artwork at the National Maritime Museum shifts perspectives on the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans
Search our stories
Search our digital collections, discover epic stories of sea, space and exploration, and get expert insight from our museum curators and specialists
Explore the collection
Royal Museums Greenwich holds over 2.5 million items. Search our digital collections or visit our library, archive and collections studio
Collections Online
Search our online database and explore our objects, paintings, archives and library collections from home
The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Come behind the scenes at our state-of-the-art conservation studio
Caird Library
Visit the world's largest maritime library and archive collection at the National Maritime Museum
Library & Archive blog
The latest news, blogs and discoveries from the Caird Library & Archive team
Research
Find out about our current research projects, opportunities and conferences, and meet the curatorial team at Royal Museums Greenwich
Conservation
The Conservation and Preservation team maintain and look after our collections
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