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The polar regions of our planet have been a focus for scientific enquiry and exploration for centuries. Today, more than ever, that work has the potential to affect us all.

The Polar Worlds gallery looks at the challenges of Arctic and Antarctic exploration, and explores the impact of climate change on human lives.

Inside the gallery

See the most experienced of explorers being pushed to the extremes of human endurance, through the stories of heroic explorers including Scott and Shackleton.

Witness the moving human story behind these expeditions through examples of expedition clothing and food supplies, accompanied by extracts from explorers’ diaries.

Learn more about this object

Consider the cultural and environmental status of the Arctic and Antarctic regions in the world today, and what the future may hold for these important places.

An oil painting of a sailing ship in the Arctic at night, with icebergs towering over the deck — HMS Erebus passing through the chain of bergs, 1842 (BHC3654, © National Maritime Museum)

Delve deeper

How Inuit oral history helped locate Erebus and Terror

The recent discovery of Frankin's lost ships reveals more than artefacts and history. Amber Lincoln of the British Museum discusses the impact of Inuit oral history on locating the ships and what this means for the future of research in the Arctic.

History of Antarctic explorers

From first sighting to reaching the South Pole, discover the history of exploring Antarctica

How do you prepare for an expedition to the Arctic?

Sir John Franklin's expedition to map final part of the Northwest Passage departed on 19 May 1845. The two exploration ships, HMS Erebus and Terror were towed from Greenhithe in Kent at 10.30am.

New discoveries from the wrecks of HMS Erebus and Terror

Archaeologists exploring the shipwrecks of HMS Erebus and Terror have recovered over 350 objects from the lost Franklin expedition.

The shoes that survived: caring for Captain Scott's shoes

Learn how explorer Robert Falcon Scott's ski overshoes were prepared for display in the new Polar Worlds gallery

Behind the scenes

Conservator Nora Meller explain how she cared for Captain Scott's shoes, which were found on his body in 1912 after the British explorer's tragic final expedition to the South Pole.

This gallery is supported by: