The National Maritime Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world.

The galleries and displays allow you to discover ships and boats of all shapes and sizes, voyage across the world’s oceans, and experience epic adventures of exploration and encounter. After your visit, the sea will never be the same again.

From historic treasures to family favourites, hidden gems to major exhibitions, get a taste of what you can see and do at the National Maritime Museum today.

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Things to see and do

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Travel the world in the Museum's free galleries

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

The galleries include 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.

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Watch out for Pirates

Heroic rascals or violent criminals? Discover the truth behind pirate life in this major National Maritime Museum exhibition for 2025.

Pirates traces the changing depictions of pirates through the ages and reveals the brutal reality behind the fiction.

Featuring more than 200 remarkable objects, the exhibition charts the story of piracy around the globe and explores our shifting attitudes to history's most infamous seafarers.

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Learn more about the exhibition

 

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Discover Ocean Court

Ocean Court is the main central courtyard of the Museum and home to some of the largest objects in the collection. Following a major refurbishment project it's now also the place to explore our amazing ocean.

With a giant 'map of the world according to fish', new objects and displays, plus a wave of colour washing over the walls, we can't wait to welcome you back into the reimagined space.

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Journey through the universe

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 it's your chance to see their spellbinding work. The current exhibition is free for all visitors and open every day until 11 August.

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Swing over to The Cove

Let your children's imaginations run wild at The Cove, an exciting outdoor playground next to Greenwich Park.

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!

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Uncover the stories behind our objects

Our daily tours and gallery talks are the perfect way to discover the must-see highlights of the Museum, led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides.  

Whether you want to take part in our guided Treasures Tour, listen to extraordinary tales during our Gallery Favourites talks or delve into the past with our volunteer guides, come and embark on a voyage of discovery.

Marvel at Nelson’s jacket

The jacket that Nelson was wearing when he was shot and fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar is on display for free at the National Maritime Museum's Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery. If you look closely you can even see the hole in the fabric where the bullet entered.

Find out more

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See a real Fijian canoe

Fijian canoes, known as drua, can only be built by members of the community who inherited the right to use their skills from their ancestors. See this one in the Pacific Encounters gallery, where you can discover the traditions, histories and cultures of the Pacific. Learn about encounters between Europeans and the Te-Moananui-a-Kiwa (people of the Pacific Ocean), and the legacies still felt today.

Join a fantastic free festival

Vibrant Diwali celebrations, Lunar New Year lion dances, Windrush Day commemorations – the National Maritime Museum plays host to some truly memorable events throughout the year.

From major festivals to inspiring workshops, make sure you check our what's on listings to see what you could take part in.

See what's on

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Find your connection to the sea

The Caird Library contains over 100,000 books, 20,000 pamphlets and 8000 rare books, which covers everything from the Royal Navy and piracy to shipwrecks and the two World Wars.

Want to discover more about your past? If you have family members who served or travelled on ships you can trace their history, and learn more about your ancestors. 

What’s On

Events at the National Maritime Museum.

Exhibitions | Space and astronomy

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
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
Exhibitions | Maritime history

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
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 19 July | 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Ticketed | 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
Once a month on Saturdays | 11am-12.30pm
Free | Pre-booking required
National Maritime Museum
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 | Ocean Court

Ocean: above and below

Dive into an ocean adventure with free activities every day at the National Maritime Museum this summer!
Daily except Mondays | 23 July - 31 August 2025
Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

What's The Time?

Join us for a festival of energetic sounds and communal making as young artists take over the National Maritime Museum
Friday 1 August (7-11pm) and Saturday 2 August (12-5pm)
Free
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Historical pocket making workshop

Create a timeless tie-on pocket as part of this project providing community workshops accessible for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s and dementia
Tuesday 5 August, 4 November and 2 December | 11am-1pm
Free, drop-in
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

Evening of Astrophotography

Come along to a panel discussion to learn more about astrophotography, and enjoy a private viewing of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition
Friday 8 August 2025 | 6pm-8pm
Adults: £12 | Students and Under 25s: £8.50
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Art and culture

International Slavery Remembrance Day

Explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition at the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House
Saturday 23 August 2025 | 11am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Members Preview: ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Members get to see the new ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition first, and hear about the winning images from an expert from the Museum
Thursday 11 September 2025 | 7pm
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
Conferences | Maritime history

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 | Members £45
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Intermediate Astronomy

Acquire a rigorous scientific understanding of the Universe with the Royal Observatory Greenwich
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings | See page for details
£205 per module
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 available dates
£96
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 | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Enjoy 2-for-1 entry to Pirates at the National Maritime Museum and come dressed as a pirate for the chance to win some amazing treasures!
Friday 19 - Sunday 21 September 2025 | 10am-5pm
2-for-1 on all Pirates exhibition tickets | Museum admission free
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
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 | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

STEM careers event: from seas to stars

Free careers event for schools
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Free
National Maritime Museum

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National Maritime Museum

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  • Access to all free galleries and activities
  • Astronomy Photographer of the Year currently included
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Special exhibition

Astronomy Photographer of the Year

  • The world's greatest space photography
  • Over 100 images on display
  • Entry to National Maritime Museum included

Currently free

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Member tickets

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  • Priority booking and exclusive events
  • Access using your membership card
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  • Royal Observatory
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  • Planetarium Shows
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