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.

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.
Exhibitions

Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition

See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Open daily until 11 August 2025 | 10am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A man dressed in period sailor costume leads a tour of the National Maritime Museum, with kids and parents following behind
Talks and tours

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
Close-up shot of a person's hands as they use a felt-tip pen to draw an intricate pattern on a small piece of wood
Workshops

Saturday Art Club

Join the weekly creative drop-in for young people aged 13-16 during term time at the National Maritime Museum
Saturdays from October 2024 - April 2025 | 10am-1pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
The gold hilt of a sword against a dark fabric background. The outline of a human skull has been digitally superimposed on to the right side of the hilt, creating an unsettling central motif
Exhibitions

Pirates

Explore the myth, discover the truth: Pirates at the National Maritime Museum is now open
Open daily until 4 January 2026 | 10am-5pm
Adult: £15 | Student: £11.25 | Child: £7.50
National Maritime Museum
Adults and children enjoying a storytelling session.
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
A group of four with adults and children participating in a craft.
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
Monthly: Next date 28 June | 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
Sensory Sailors
Family fun

SENsory Sailors

Come along and enjoy this brand new sensory play session for children under 13 years with special educational needs
Once a month on Saturdays | 11am-12.30pm
Free | Pre-booking required
National Maritime Museum
(Source of a mother helping the child to draw using a pencil Picture)
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
The gold hilt of a sword against a dark fabric background. The outline of a human skull has been digitally superimposed on to the right side of the hilt, creating an unsettling central motif
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Pirates

Join John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of our Pirates exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Thursday 15 May and Saturday 1 November 2025 | 2pm-3pm
Adult: £15 | Student: £11.25 | Child: £7.50
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Identity

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: 17 May 2025 | 11am-1pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Satellite photograph of Great Britain and Ireland during the summer 2022 heatwave. Large swathes of brown in the south and east of England show how the heat has affected the country
Talks and tours | Member events

Flamsteed Lecture: Origins: How the Earth Shaped Human History

Join Professor Lewis Dartnell as we delve into our human history and how our existence has always been shaped by our environment
Monday 19 May 2025 l 7.15pm
Flamsteed Members: FREE | Guests of Flamsteed Members: £15 | Royal Museums Greenwich Members: £12
National Maritime Museum
Girls doing craft
Family fun

May half term at the National Maritime Museum

Find fun for all the family at the National Maritime Museum this May
24 May – 1 June 2025 | 11am-4pm
Free | Drop in
National Maritime Museum
A child holds her mother's arm as they both peer curiously at a small crab held in front of them
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

World Ocean Day

A family-friendly celebration of our ocean at the National Maritime Museum
Saturday 7 June 2025
Free
National Maritime Museum
Robbie Atatoa at Pacific Encounter Gallery
Workshops

Spotlight on Polynesian traditional crafts: Mangaian carving

Join distinguished Mangaian carver and cultural educator Robbie Atatoa as he leads a special workshop
Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 12.30pm-4.30pm
Adult: £7 | Student: £5 | Child: £5
National Maritime Museum
Group of people sitting facing away from camera on yoga mats on the floor which is a giant map, looking towards instructor
Experiences | Ocean Court

Movement on the Map: Yoga

Get moving on the new Ocean Map with some gentle yoga sessions
Friday 13 June 2025 | 9.30am
Free
National Maritime Museum
photo with a model of a woman, standing on a map and a canvas tent behind her, like an animation
Events and festivals | Refugee Week

Maritime Migration: Film Screenings and Panel Discussion | Refugee Week 2025

Join us for this special event to mark Refugee Week as we explore migration through a series of short films and a discussion with panelists who address this migration through their work.
Friday 13 June 2025 | 6.30pm-8.30pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A portion of the Ocean Map at the National Maritime Museum showing major port cities around Asia and Africa
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Tour: Ocean Map

Join Tim May, Curator of Maps and Mobilities, to learn how the new Ocean Map was developed and about the deeper history of ocean-centric cartography
Monday 16 June 2025 l 11am-12pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Close-up view of a woodblock-style illustration of pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Bonny is in the centre holding a lamp, while Read is off to the right
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Lecture: Pirate Queens

Join Dr Rebecca Simon to delve deeper into the lives of two of the most infamous female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who terrorised the Caribbean in and around Jamaica
Thursday 19 June 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free | Members only
National Maritime Museum
Image of two women standing at a table, one is wearing a bright pink outfit and one a yellow top. They are both smiling at someone slightly off camera. They are inside a museum with a glass roof.
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

Windrush Day 2025

A day of creative workshops, informative talks and discussion to explore the significance of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush and the legacies of the Windrush generation
Saturday 21 June 2025 | 11am - 4pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Photograph of the entrance to the National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Member events

Members' Summer Party

Join fellow Royal Museums Greenwich Members for a fabulous evening at the National Maritime Museum
Tuesday 1 July 2025 l 6.30pm-8.30pm (Sold out)
Free for Members – booking required
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

Teachers' Evening 2025

Celebrate the end of term at the National Maritime Museum and find out about schools sessions, resources, CPD and project opportunities at all Royal Museums Greenwich sites
Thursday 3 July 2025 | 4.30pm-7pm
FREE for UK school teachers and educators
National Maritime Museum
A group of people stretch their arms to the side
Experiences | Ocean Court

Movement on the Map: Tai Chi

Find your flow in these gentle sessions on the Ocean Map
Friday 4 July 2025 | 1pm-1.30pm and 1.45pm-2.15pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Portrait photo of the band Blue Machine, featuring the group of four stood on board historic ship Cutty Sark
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Ocean Songs

Live music at the National Maritime Museum celebrating our ocean planet, its mythology, natural wonders and as-yet-undiscovered depths
Friday 11 July 2025 | 7pm and 8.30pm
£10
National Maritime Museum
A dance leaps beside Nelson's Ship in a Bottle sculpture
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

Rhythm!

Go with the flow at our vibrant dance festival, inspired by the ocean and movement
Saturday 12 July 2025 | 11am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A mother and daughter sit on the Great Map during World Ocean Day at the National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Ocean Court

Ocean: above and below

Dive into an ocean adventure at the National Maritime Museum this summer!
Daily except Mondays | 23 July - 31 August 2025
Free
National Maritime Museum
A Black man wearing green sunglasses and a geometric patterned top stands contemplatively by the River Thames
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

International Slavery Remembrance Day

Explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition at the National Maritime Museum
Saturday 23 August 2025 | 11am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A drawing of a Royal Naval Auxiliary tanker seen in starboard-quarter view, turning in the River Thames off Greenwich. In the background is the Old Royal Naval College. There is a black smoke coming out of the top of the boat
Conferences

Britain, Conflict, and the Sea conference

This conference seeks to explore the ways in which modern Britain has been shaped by ideas and practices of maritime war.
Friday 12 September 2025 9am-5.45pm | Saturday 13 September 9am-3.30pm
Adult £50 | Postgraduate Researcher/Student £25
National Maritime Museum

Gigantic Solar Prominence in Motion © Miguel Claro

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