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.

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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
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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.

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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

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, 1pm, 2pm
£4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months 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 until 3 August 2026 | 10am-5pm
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £9
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
Workshops

Saturday Art Club

Register now for our weekly creative workshops for young people aged 13-16 during term time at the National Maritime Museum
Saturdays from October 2025 - April 2026 | 10am-1pm
Free
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
Exhibitions

Windrush Food Culture exhibition

Visit this free exhibition exploring Windrush food culture and its impact on Britain through the decades: from the margins to the mainstream
Open Tuesday - Saturday until 30 July 2026 | 11am-4pm
Free entry
National Maritime Museum
Family fun

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
Next date: Saturday 7 March
Free
National Maritime Museum
Exhibitions

Kõmij Mour Ijin/Our Life is Here

Reflections on nuclear testing and climate change in the Marshall Islands – a contemporary art exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Open daily until 14 June 2026 | 10am-5pm
Free
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 years
Last Saturday of the month | 12.30pm-2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Women's History Month

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
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
£3.50 Adult | £2.50 Student | £1.75 Child | Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Women's History Month

Women's History Month

Celebrate the knowledge and achievements of pioneering women
Throughout March 2026
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
Family fun

Baby yoga

Stretch and unwind with your little one on our Ocean Map during this baby yoga session.
Friday 6 and Friday 13 March 2026 | 10am and 11am (Sold out)
£5 per baby and accompanying adult
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 10 March 2026 | Sold out
£200 per module
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Cosmic upheavals: the discoveries that shaped our worldview

Join Sarah Alam Malik to discover how humanity’s relationship with the Universe has changed through the centuries
Thursday 12 March 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm
Free for Members | £5 for non-Members
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 14 March, Tuesday 14 April and Sunday 17 May 2026 | 11am
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Women's History Month

Design a shield, discover a story: Warrior women of the Sivaganga Kingdom

Join us as we journey into the heart of the Sivaganga Kingdom in the 18th century, a once-prosperous kingdom in Southern India, to uncover stories of warrior women
Saturday 14 March 2026 | 11am and 2pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Flamsteed Lecture: How to Take a Picture of a Black Hole

Join this lecture with Professor Derek Ward-Thompson, a member of the 'Event Horizon Telescope Consortium', which published the first ever image of a black hole
Monday 16 March 2026 | 7.15pm
Flamsteed Members: FREE | Guests of Flamsteed Members: £15 | Royal Museums Greenwich Members: £12
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Teacher CPD: Art and Wellbeing

Discover creative activities to boost wellbeing in this Zentangle workshop, led by instructor Kusam Bedi and the National Maritime Museum's Learning Team
Friday 20 March 2026 | 4.30pm-6.30pm
FREE for UK school teachers and educators
National Maritime Museum
Experiences

Astronomers Take Over

This brand-new interactive gallery gives curious minds aged 4 to 104 the space to play, learn and explore!
Opens 27 March 2026 | 10am-5pm
Experience + planetarium: £16 | Experience only: £8
National Maritime Museum
Experiences | Member events

Members' Preview: Astronomers Take Over

Be among the first to visit this amazing new experience at the National Maritime Museum
Wednesday 25 March 2026 | 6.30-9pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

Meet the authors: 350 years of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich

Join us for a special evening as we celebrate the launch of two publications associated with the 350th anniversary of the Royal Observatory
Thursday 26 March 2026 | 6.30-8.15pm
Adult: £15 | Member: £12
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Member events

Members' craft workshop

Join us for exclusive craft workshops, just for Members
Saturday 28 March and Saturday 9 May 2026 | 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Workshops | Women's History Month

Medicine, Myth, Water and Spirit (Part 3)

Join this series of creative workshops exploring African diasporic spiritualities and their stories of migration through galleries at Royal Museums Greenwich, looking at plants, museum objects, and water myths
Saturday 28 March 2026 | 11am-1.30pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
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
Opens 3 April 2026 | Sat & Sun 1.30pm and 3.30pm | Fri-Mon (School holidays only) 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
£16 for adult / child / student ticket
National Maritime Museum
Experiences | Member events

Members' Shows: Unboxing the Universe

Join us for exclusive performances of Unboxing the Universe, just for Members.
Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April 2026 | 11.30am
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' lecture: Wilful murder? – the sinking of the Lusitania

Join author and historian Diana Preston as she relates the final fatal voyage of the Cunard liner, Lusitania
Thursday 16 April 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm
Free for Members
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 21 April 2026
£96
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 beginning 21 April 2026 (Sold out)
£96
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Vessels of the Future masterclass

Join a free masterclass for young people aged 13-17 at the National Maritime Museum to design a vessel of the future!
Saturday 9 May 2026 | 10am-1pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | The ocean

World Ocean Day

A family-friendly celebration of our ocean at the National Maritime Museum
Saturday 6 June 2026
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Amazing Animals in Maritime History

Join historian and guide John Wilson at the National Maritime Museum, for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour about remarkable animals
Friday 3 July 2026 | 2pm-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