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

Book Play Tuesdays tickets

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

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, 1pm, 2pm
£4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months free
National Maritime Museum
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

Ship Mates
Hop aboard Cutty Sark for sensory sessions for under 5s!
Term-time Wednesdays | 10.30am, 12.00pm & 1.30pm
£5 per adult, under 5s free
Cutty Sark
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

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: Saturday 7 March
Free
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!
Now open | 10am-5pm
Experience + planetarium: £16 | Experience only: £8
National Maritime Museum
Family fun

Easter holidays at the Royal Observatory
Join us at the home of time this Easter for science demonstrations, craft sessions and more!
Throughout the Easter holidays 2026 | See page for details
Included with entry to the Royal Observatory
Royal Observatory
Family fun

Cutty Sark Easter holidays
Climb aboard Cutty Sark and enjoy workshops, live performances and fantastic family activities across the Easter holidays
Throughout the Easter holidays 2026 | See page for details
Included with entry to the ship
Cutty Sark
Family fun

Easter activities at the Queen's House
Storytelling and craft workshops are just some of the springtime events taking place at the Queen's House
Sunday 29 March–Friday 10 April 2026 | 11am-4pm
Free | Drop-in
Queen's House
Family fun

Easter holidays at the National Maritime Museum
Join our range of fun family activities taking place at the National Maritime Museum this Easter
Sunday 29 March-Sunday 12 April 2026 | Select dates, see below
Free | Drop-in
National Maritime Museum
Family fun

Easter Egg Trail at Cutty Sark
Climb aboard Cutty Sark for an egg-citing adventure this Easter weekend!
Friday 3 April–Monday 6 April 2026 | 10am–4pm
Free with entry to the ship
Cutty Sark
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
Opens 3 April 2026 | 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