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 | Space and astronomy

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: £18 | Child: £16 | 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 24 & Sun 25 Oct | Sat 14 & Sun 15 Nov | Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec | 11.30pm and 1.30pm
£8 for adult / child / student ticket
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
Term Time: Fridays from 2.30-4.30pm | Holidays: Fridays 1.30-4.30pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House
Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland with the Snow Queen at the Queen's House this Christmas
Saturday 14 November - Thursday 24 December 2026
Early bird: £27 per person | General tickets: £30 | Members: £25 | Under 1s: Free
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
Sat 21 Nov 3pm | Fri 27 Nov 4.30pm | Fri 18 Dec 4.15pm
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 | (+£3 booking fee per transaction)
Queen's House
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
Last Saturday of the month | 12.30-2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Experiences

Crossings: Hidden Passages
Join us for an afternoon of dance in the Queen's House, connecting architecture, maritime history and migration
Saturday 28 November 2026 | 1pm and 3pm | Performances last 45 minutes
Free
Queen's House
Family fun | Experiences | Space and astronomy

Unboxing the Universe relaxed performance
This relaxed performance of Unboxing the Universe is dedicated to children who are neurodivergent, along with their families and carers
Wednesday 30 December 2026 | 1.30–2.30pm
Adults: £5 | Children: £5 | Carers free
National Maritime Museum