Captain Woodget character on Cutty Sark

Cutty Sark Characters

Get to know Cutty Sark’s longest serving Captain, as well as all of the other important people from the ships past. Every day this cast of characters are waiting to tell you their stories from the Cutty Sark.

Cutty Sark | Children under 4 go free

Book Cutty Sark tickets
Toddler running in front of the figureheads

Cutty Sark Ship Mates

Get stuck into songs and sea stories at Ship Mates at Cutty Sark, with a different theme each week. Climb aboard and warm up those voices! 

Cutty Sark | £5 discounted ship entry for adults, free for under 4s

Book Ship Mates tickets
Toddlers and their parents playing.

Play Tuesdays

Bring your under-5s on a different adventure every week! Explore the National Maritime Museum and the collection with your family through song, dance and stories led by early years facilitators.

National Maritime Museum | £4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months free

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What’s on

Discover more family events

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

Character Actors at the Queen's House
Meet historical characters connected to the Queen's House and take part in exciting performances
Sundays | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Free
Queen's House
Family fun

Cutty Sark Characters
Meet colourful characters from Cutty Sark’s past and hear astonishing stories about life at sea in the age of sail
Weekends during term time | Check schedule below for school holidays
Included with entry to Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
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
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
Family fun | Experiences

Astronomers Take Over
This brand-new interactive gallery gives curious minds aged 4 to 104 the space to play, learn and explore!
Dates and times vary: check ticketing page for full details | 10am-5pm
Experience + planetarium: Adult: £16 | Child: £14 | Experience only: £8
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | 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
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
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
Family fun

Baby yoga
Stretch and unwind with your little one on our Ocean Map during this baby yoga session.
First or second Friday of the month | 10.15am and 11am
£10 per baby and accompanying adult
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Space and astronomy

Astronomy LEGO brick club
Join us for a LEGO brick building club themed around the night sky
Fridays from 1.30pm-4.30pm | No session on 21 August 2026
Free
National Maritime Museum
Experiences | Space and astronomy

Mirror Moon
Luke Jerram's Mirror Moon has landed at the Royal Observatory – see and feel the lunar surface like never before
On display now
Included with entry to the Royal Observatory
Royal Observatory
Family fun | Space and astronomy

Summer holidays at the Royal Observatory
Live science demonstrations, a brand-new epic sculpture and fascinating talks are just some of the activities at the Royal Observatory this summer
Throughout summer 2026 | See page for details
Some activities included with entry to the Observatory, some at additional cost
Royal Observatory
Family fun

Summer Play Tuesdays
Come and play outside at the National Maritime Museum on Tuesdays this summer
Tuesdays, 21 July - 25 August 2026, 11am-1pm | 2pm-4pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Space and astronomy

Little Stars
Join us for a storytelling session and social club for under 5s all about space and time
Thursday 3 September 2026 (fully booked)| 10.30am–12.30pm
Free, pre-booking required
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Maritime history

Heritage Open Days
Celebrate England's largest festival of history and culture this September at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Saturday 12 September - Friday 18 September 2026 | Tours at 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 6.15pm (see page for details)
Free
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Wonders of the Moon with Raman Prinja
Join Professor Raman Prinja MBE for a highly informative guide to the past, present and future of the Moon through visually stunning illustrations
Saturday 12 September 2026 | 11-11.45am
Adults: £5 | Children: £4
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

Anniversary Celebration at the Queen's House
Ten years on from the major reopening of the Queen's House, come and celebrate the making of a 'House of Delights' for the 21st century with a special programme of events
Thursday 8 October, Saturday 10 October, Sunday 11 October and Thursday 22 October 2026 | Various times
Tickets from £0-£40
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa's Grotto at the Queen's House relaxed sessions
Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland in these quieter sessions, ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors. Pre-booking recommended
Sunday 15 November 2.45pm | Saturday 28 November 11.15am | Friday 4 December 5.15pm | Thursday 10 December 5.15pm
Child and an accompanying adult: £30 | Additional adult or child: £30 | Family Member child and accompanying adult: £27 | Additional adult or child Family Member: £27
Queen's House