Come face to face with maritime treasures and discover the epic stories of exploration and human endeavour that have shaped our world today. 

Don't miss our amazing special exhibition, Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, all for free!

Please note, there's a new visitor route at the National Maritime Museum due to essential improvement works - plan your visit today.

Image
Image of a small proportion of the Sun, which is lit up in golden yellow at the surface and moves to darker colours away from the surface. A golden plume of a coronal mass ejection is coming out of the Sun and flowing parallel to it.

Marvel at the world's greatest space photography

Free entry

Glittering stars, shimmering galaxies, fiery suns and silver moons – wherever you are in the universe, don't miss Astronomy Photographer of the Year.

Astronomy Photographer of the Year is an annual competition featuring the world’s greatest space photography. Photographers from across the globe compete to take home the prestigious title. Now in its 16th year, it's your chance to see their spellbinding work.
 

“Every year, I leave this exhibition feeling insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe”

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Londonist
Image
A well-worn, dark green military uniform with silver and yellow detailing. The uniform is on a mannequin, and on the table behind it is a large hat and plume of feathers

Now on display: The Charles Hare uniform

Free entry

Uncover the story behind this remarkable uniform with a dramatic tale to tell. See it for yourself in the Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery, and discover the greatest escape you’ve never heard of.

Image
Glass display case with a number of Museum objects, next to an oil painting of an expedition to the Arctic

Travel the world in the Museum's free galleries

Free entry

Explore everywhere, from the icy Arctic to the islands of the Pacific, in the National Maritime Museum's permanent galleries.

A recommended visitor route will guide you through many of the highlights of the Museum, including relics from the Titanic, and the uniform that Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar. Listen to the free audio guide on your phone to find out more about the stories behind the objects.

What’s on

See all upcoming events and exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum.

Family fun

Character Encounters at the National Maritime Museum

Visit the National Maritime Museum every Saturday to discover a different character from history with their own fascinating story to tell
Every Saturday
Free
National Maritime Museum
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

SENsory Sailors

Come along and enjoy this brand new sensory play session for children under 13 years with special educational needs
Second Saturday of the month | 11am-12.30pm
Free | Pre-booking required
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours

Treasures Tour of the National Maritime Museum

Explore some of the Museum’s most prized – and lesser-known – objects on a guided tour
Daily at 12pm and 2pm
£7.50 Adult | £5.50 Student | £3.75 Child | Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Experiences

Astronomers Take Over

This brand-new interactive gallery gives curious minds aged 4 to 104 the space to play, learn and explore!
Dates and times vary: check ticketing page for full details | 10am-5pm
Experience + planetarium: Adult: £18 | Child: £16 | Experience only: £8
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Experiences | Space and astronomy

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
26 & 27 Sept | 24 & 25 Oct | 14 & 15 Nov | 12 & 13 Dec | 11.30pm and 1.30pm
£8 for adult / child / student ticket
National Maritime Museum
Family fun

Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour is a series of free workshops created to provide a safe space for foster and adoptive families with children under 13
Last Saturday of the month | 12.30-2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Space and astronomy

Astronomy LEGO brick club

Join us for a LEGO brick building club themed around the night sky
Fridays from 2.30-4.30pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours

LGBTQ+ history talks at the National Maritime Museum

We deliver queer history talks at least once a week at the National Maritime Museum
Thursdays and Sundays | See page for dates | 3.30pm | Drop-in
Free
National Maritime Museum
Exhibitions | Space and astronomy

ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition

See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Open daily | 10am-5pm
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £9
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Saturday Art Club

Join weekly creative workshops for young people aged 13-16 during term time at the National Maritime Museum
Saturdays from 10 October 2026 – 20 March 2027 | 10am-1pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Finding Harmony: Wellness Day

Enjoy an afternoon of singing, songwriting and wellness for the African and African-Caribbean community
Saturday 10 October 2026 | 1pm - 4.30pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Flamsteed Lecture: The Universe: Reality or Simulation?

Join us as we explore the dark matter problem in this Flamsteed Astronomy Society lecture by Professor Catherine Heymans
Monday 12 October 2026 | 7.15pm
Flamsteed Members: FREE | Guests of Flamsteed Members: £15 | Royal Museums Greenwich Members: £12
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Space and astronomy

Members' lecture: Galaxies with Jake Foster

Royal Observatory astronomer Jake Foster explores the Universe on an expansive scale, showcasing and examining the stars, planets, gas and dark matter that populate our cosmos
Tuesday 13 October 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Workshops | LGBTQ+

Peglar papers reading workshop

Join a series of creative reading workshops focussed on a unique historic manuscript
Thursdays 22 October 3-4.30pm and 6-8pm | 12 November 6-8pm | 14 January 6-8pm | 18 February 6-8pm | 18 March 6-8pm | 15 April 6-8pm
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' treasures tours

Explore the treasures of the National Maritime Museum with one of our expert guides
Saturday 24 October | Sunday 8 November | Saturday 12 December 2026 | 11am
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Family fun

October half term activities at the National Maritime Museum

Come along for fun family craft workshops and storytelling themed around bugs and creepy crawlies!
Saturday 24 October - Sunday 1 November 2026
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Flamsteed History of Astronomy: Lunar hydration

Is there water on the Moon? Join this Flamsteed History of Astronomy lecture with Pranjal Garg
Tuesday 27 October 2026 | 7.15pm
Flamsteed Members: FREE | Guests of Flamsteed Members: £15 | Royal Museums Greenwich Members: £12
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

The Sky We Share - Star Stories from around the World workshop

Discover constellation myths from cultures around the world in our Members' workshop
Friday 30 October 2026 | 11-11.45am
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Young Producers

Find out more about the Young Producers – a paid opportunity for young people aged 16-25
Tuesday weekday evenings from 3 November 2026 to 23 February 2027 & Saturday 13 February 2027 | 5-7pm & Saturday event times to be confirmed
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours

First Look at First Light

Join some of the team behind the transformational First Light project at the Royal Observatory at this exclusive presentation
Tuesday 3 November 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Amateur Astronomy for Beginners

A course for those looking to make astronomy into a hobby
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings beginning 3 November 2026 and 23 February 2027
£106
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astronomy

Learn the basics of astronomy with expert tutors from Royal Observatory Greenwich
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings - see page for dates
£106
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

Diwali at the National Maritime Museum

Lantern parades, dance performances and rangoli workshops: celebrate the Festival of Lights in Greenwich
Saturday 7 November 2026 | 10.30am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Conferences | Maritime history

Conference - Maritime Histories from the Margins: People, Places, and Practices, 1500–Present

A two-day interdisciplinary conference exploring marginalised histories in maritime contexts from c.1500 to the present day
Wednesday 11 November 2026, 9am-5pm | Thursday 12 November, 9am-5pm
Adult: £60 | Member: £55 | Early Career Researcher/Student: £30
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Empire at the Edge of the World: an illustrated lecture

Hear about a harrowing Arctic adventure of imperial rivalries at the frozen edge of the world
Tuesday 17 November | 6.30pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Member events

Members' craft workshop

Join us for exclusive craft workshops, just for Members
Saturday 21 November 2026 | 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Foundation Astrophysics

A series of ten-week courses on more advanced topics in astrophysics
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings beginning 1 December 2026 and 9 March 2027
£220 per module
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Intermediate Astronomy

Acquire a rigorous scientific understanding of the Universe with the Royal Observatory Greenwich
10-week modules held on Tuesday evenings beginning 1 December 2026 and 9 March 2027
£225 per module
National Maritime Museum
Experiences | Christmas

Members' Christmas party

Celebrate the festive period with us at a special out-of-hours opening of the National Maritime Museum
Wednesday 2 December | 6.30-8.30pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Space and astronomy

Winter Solstice Family Festival

Join Royal Museum Greenwich for a day of family activities celebrating folktales about the winter solstice - from storytelling and art installations to crafts, music and more
Saturday 19 December 2026 | 10.30am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astrophysics

Explore topics at the cutting edge of scientific research and the limits of human knowledge
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings beginning 5 January and 20 April 2027
£106
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

Lunar New Year

We celebrated the Year of the Horse with a whole host of Lunar New Year activities and performances
Saturday 13 February 2027 | 10am-4pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

STEM careers event 2027

Don't miss this free careers event for students interested in discovering careers in STEM
Wednesday 24 February 2027 | 10am-3pm
Free
National Maritime Museum

Gigantic Solar Prominence in Motion © Miguel Claro

Julianne and Rosalyn, Filey RNLI Lifeboat Station © Jack Lowe. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich London