Open 10am-3.30pm Essential Information Location National Maritime Museum Price Free Plan your visit to the National Maritime Museum Family fun in Greenwich Let your children's imaginations run wild at The Cove, a brand new outdoor playground at the National Maritime Museum. Clamber aboard the ship and take the wheel, spin on the compass roundabout, scramble through the mighty Kraken’s tentacles and come face to face with the giant Cutty Shark! At The Cove playground, kids can create their own swashbuckling adventures – where better to do it than in the heart of Maritime Greenwich! What's inside The Cove? Swipe through the images for a sneak peek of the National Maritime Museum's brand new play space. 1 / 5 The Kraken Little adventurers can navigate the Kraken’s tentacles as it emerges from the waves. Slide, jump and climb through the sea creature’s tentacled nets, bridges and brightly coloured seaweed tangles. Don’t forget to peep out through the coloured spots to seek more adventures on the horizon! 2 / 5 The Ship Climb aboard the Shanty, The Cove's epic multi-levelled ship. Below deck kids can fire the pipe drum cannons or explore the barrels in the cargo hold. Up on the main deck they can ring the bell and visit the captain’s cabin, before climbing the crow’s nest to take on the giant tentacle slide! 3 / 5 Cutty Shark Beware the Cutty Shark! Climb up the shark’s fin and explore through the maze of nets. Discover the secret den, play puzzles and escape by sliding through the Cutty Shark’s jaws. 4 / 5 A playground for everyone The Cove has been developed in collaboration with Willow Dene School, an outstanding special school for children of primary and secondary age. Featuring sensory fun, accessible structures and a host of inclusive games, this is a playful space for everyone. 5 / 5 Play and recharge The new playground is right next to the Parkside Café of the National Maritime Museum. Run wild in The Cove, then head to the café to recharge for your next adventure! Plan your visit Where is The Cove playground? Time to test your navigation skills! The Cove is found just outside the National Maritime Museum, right next to the Parkside Café and overlooking Greenwich Park. Look for the hedge with the giant orange tentacles poking over the top... If you want to cheat, here's the spot to aim for on Google Maps. Getting to Royal Museums Greenwich Do I need to book? The Cove is free to enter and there's no need to book in advance. However, if you'd like to combine your visit to the playground with a visit to one of Royal Museums Greenwich's fantastic family-friendly attractions, you're welcome to book tickets online in advance. Are there toilets and cafés? The Cove is right next to the Parkside Café at the National Maritime Museum, perfect for post-play snacks and family-friendly meals. Toilets and baby changing facilities are inside too, just to the left of the information desk. All toilet and baby changing facilities are wheelchair accessible, and there is also a Changing Places toilet available. Please ask staff for directions. Rules of The Cove This is an adventurous play area. It provides challenging and stimulating play for children of different ages and abilities. Please be mindful: Some areas may become slippery due to ice and rain, or hot to touch when in direct sunlight. By allowing children in your care to use this playground, you accept the level of risk involved. Please use the recycling bins provided, and keep this space clean and tidy for everyone. This is a children’s play space; no unaccompanied adults. Assistance dogs are welcome. This area is not always supervised, so please report any issues to staff at the Parkside entrance to the National Maritime Museum. First aid assistance can be obtained by asking any member of staff in the National Maritime Museum. CCTV is in operation. Full Museum rules and regulations are available here. What else can we do while we're in Greenwich? Greenwich is full of great things to do with kids, from historic ship Cutty Sark to out-of-this-world planetarium shows at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The National Maritime Museum is family-friendly and free to enter, with a dedicated interactive gallery designed for under 7s. Older kids will love exploring the Museum's galleries and stories, from epic tales of explorers to real-life pirates. Find more things to do with kids Tickets and Opening Free entry No booking required Book Museum tickets Summer (Mar-Aug): 10am-4.45pm Winter (Sep-Feb): 10am-3.30pm Greenwich Station Cutty Sark DLR Maze Hill Station Greenwich Pier View on map Directions via Public Transport Directions from your location Find more family fun in Greenwich Little adventures AHOY! Children's Gallery Bring the little ones to play at AHOY! - a fun children’s gallery for 0-7s Find out more Across the seas Cutty Sark Characters Meet colourful characters from Cutty Sark’s past and hear astonishing stories about life at sea in the age of sail Find out more Journeys into space What's on at the Peter Harrison Planetarium Out of this world stargazing and astronomy shows for the whole family Find out more What’s On Showing events for kids in Greenwich. Family fun Coder Dojo Be inspired by the collection and create computer programmes, animation, art and electronic experiments in response First Saturday of the month Free Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre Talks and tours Character Encounters Visit the National Maritime Museum every Saturday to discover a different character from history with their own fascinating story to tell Saturdays Free Entry National Maritime Museum Family fun Family Fun Weekends Spend a spectacular day out at Cutty Sark with workshops and activities for all ages First weekend of every month Free with entry to the ship Cutty Sark Planetarium shows Ted's Space Adventure Join Ted the bear on an adventure around the Solar System in this special live planetarium show for under-7s - perfect for little astronauts everywhere! Weekends and holiday weekdays Adults £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8 Royal Observatory Family fun Meet the characters of Cutty Sark Meet colourful characters from Cutty Sark’s past and hear astonishing stories about life at sea in the age of sail Weekends and Fri-Mon in school holidays | 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm Included with entry to Cutty Sark Cutty Sark Family fun Discover Sundays Each Sunday come and explore the Museum's collection through hands on creative activities Term time Sundays | 11am - 1pm | 2pm - 4pm Free | Drop-in National Maritime Museum Family fun Play Tuesdays Bring your under 5 on a different adventure every week! Explore the Museum together through song, dance and stories Term time Tuesdays | 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm £4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months free National Maritime Museum Family fun Cutty Sark Toddler Time Listen, learn and play at Cutty Sark: bring your under-5s on a different adventure every week! November Wednesdays | 10-11.30am and 1.00-2.30pm £5 per adult Cutty Sark Family fun | LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ Family Network A safe space for local LGBTQ+ families to meet one another, get involved in creative activities for all ages and explore the stories within the collection 20 January 2024 | 10am-12pm Free National Maritime Museum Family fun Safe Harbour A programme for foster and adoptive families. Monthly: Next date 25 November| 12.30pm - 2.30pm Ticketed | Free National Maritime Museum Families at Royal Museums Greenwich Go on an epic family adventure of discovery across the seas and through the universe at Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House Find out more Royal Museums Greenwich Close Choose your tickets The Cove playground is free to enter and you do not need to book in advance. However, if you'd like to combine your visit to the playground with a visit to one of our fantastic family-friendly attractions, you're welcome to book tickets online in advance. National Maritime Museum Guaranteed entry time Access to all free galleries and activities Paid exhibitions not included Free entry Book online BOOK NOW Cutty Sark Explore the main deck Walk beneath the ship See how the crew lived Family activities and interactives Guaranteed entry time Audio guide included Adult £18 Child £9 BOOK NOW Royal Observatory Walk the Prime Meridian line See the best view in London Guaranteed entry time Audio guide included Planetarium shows not included Adult £18 Child £9 BOOK NOW Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass Save 25% with combo ticket Cutty Sark Royal Observatory Guaranteed entry time Planetarium shows not included Adult £27 Child £13.50 BOOK NOW Family fun AHOY Gallery Soft play Maritime fun Guaranteed entry time Museum entry included Suitable for all children under 7 Term time weekdays FREE Weekends & holidays £3 BOOK NOW