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Price £5 for Treasures Tour | Other tours free

The National Maritime Museum is the world’s largest museum dedicated to the history of seafaring. 

We have partnered with Smartify – the leading museum app – to make it easier than ever to explore this trove of maritime treasures.

Choose from a range of dedicated audio tours of the National Maritime Museum and listen along using your phone.

Select your tour

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The Classic Tour

Price: Free

Featuring objects from barges and naval uniforms to paintings and polar relics, the National Maritime Museum brings together stories of exploration, endeavour and encounter.

On this self-guided audio tour, journey through more than 500 years of maritime history as you explore the Museum’s galleries.

The tour lasts around 90 minutes and is currently available in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, European Portuguese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean.

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Treasures of the National Maritime Museum audio tour

Price: £5

Get a deeper insight into some of the Museum’s most prized – and lesser-known – objects on this self-guided audio tour, carefully curated by our knowledgeable staff and experts.

Be chilled by tales of polar exploration, marvel at the oldest boat in our collection and learn about an unusual astronomical instrument.

This is a self-guided, audio version of our in-person Treasures Tours at the National Maritime Museum, and is a great alternative if you want to take things at your own pace or can't visit the Museum in person.

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Freedom Fighters audio tour

Price: Free

Learn about the women who stood up against slavery on this audio trail of the Museum’s Atlantic Worlds gallery, created by historian Stella Dadzie.

Uncover the stories of Nanny of the Maroons, who led an uprising of formerly enslaved Africans against the British; Mary Prince, the only enslaved West Indian woman to leave an account of her life; and Sanite Bélair, known as the ‘Tigress of Haiti'.

This self-guided tour lasts around 45 minutes.

Content warning: Please be advised that this audio guide includes graphic descriptions of slavery and the slave trade. It also includes historical terminology that is no longer considered appropriate today. 

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Audio guide features 

  • Expert commentary and Museum highlights: uncover stories of life at sea, learn about epic tales of adventure and discover the highlights of the National Maritime Museum's world-renowned collection.

  • Rich audio, images and text: lean back and listen or read the transcript – explore the National Maritime Museum at your own pace and in your own way. 

  • Listen from anywhere in the world: all our tours are available online, so you can enjoy them even if you can't visit the National Maritime Museum in person.

  • Download the Smartify app for free from the Apple or Android app store, and discover a host of other museums and historic attractions, including the Queen’s House, Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Listen on Smartify

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Entry to the National Maritime Museum is free, but we recommend booking tickets online in advance to guarantee entry and receive updates before you visit. Charges apply for special exhibitions.

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