Free Essential Information Location National Maritime Museum Price Free Book your free ticket Plan your visit 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. Image 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. 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: UK Antarctic Heritage Trust Government of the British Antarctic Territory Transglobe Expedition Trust Visit Explore Polar Worlds for yourself at the National Maritime Museum National Maritime Museum Plan your visit Top things to do Explore our books Discover more about the Polar explorers, including Ernest Shackleton and his ship Endurance, and Sir John Franklin's Erebus & Terror expedition. Shop South: The Race to the Pole £18.99 This book tells the story of three men who were to embody the spirit of the time to be the first to discover the South Pole – Robert Falcon Scott, Roald Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton... Buy Now Shop Sir John Franklin's Erebus & Terror Expedition: Lost & Found £18.99 Sir John Franklin set out with HMS Erebus and HMS Terror in 1845 on a voyage to find the North-West Passage. The ships disappeared into the Arctic, never to be seen again until their wrecks were discovered in 2014 and 2016... Buy Now Shop Navigational Instruments £8.99 With over two-thirds of the globe covered by water, the ability to navigate safely and quickly across the oceans has been crucial throughout human history... Buy Now Royal Museums Greenwich Close Choose your tickets National Maritime Museum Guaranteed entry time Access to all free galleries and activities Paid exhibitions not included Free entry Book online BOOK NOW Member tickets Free and fast-track Museums entry Priority booking Access using your membership card Membership card number required BOOK NOW Become a Member Unlimited entry all year Royal Observatory Cutty Sark Planetarium Shows Special exhibitions Direct Debit One-off Individual: £50 Individual: £60 Family: from £60 Family: from £70 JOIN TODAY