The Cove playground

Essential Information

Location	National Maritime Museum
Date and Times	Open 10am-4.45pm \| Open late from 31 May
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 fabulous 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!

A boy climbs a cargo net in the National Maritime Museum's new playground, with his sister looking on from the ground

"This visually stunning and inclusive play space consists of a giant kraken, a huge pirate ship and a fearsome shark, all with accessible elements including a massive ramp up to the ship, lots of bright colours, sensory elements and BSL signs with liftable flaps – and SO MANY clever hidden touches"

- @bablands.london

What's inside The Cove?

Swipe through the images for a sneak peek of the National Maritime Museum's adventure play space.

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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!

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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.

The Parkside Shake Bar is located on the floor above, and offers a delicious range of maritime-themed ice creams and milkshakes, as well as hot and cold drinks.

Toilets and baby changing facilities are inside too, just to the left of the information desk on the ground floor.

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. Explore the Museum's galleries and stories, featuring epic tales of explorers, real-life pirates and hundreds of fascinating objects.

Find more things to do with kids