Essential Information
Location |
National Maritime Museum
|
---|---|
Price | Free |
The gallery tells the story of the Royal Navy and the British people, from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the defeat of Napoleon in 1815.
Inside the gallery
From bustling dockyards to ferocious sea battles, Nelson, Navy, Nation brings to life the tumultuous 18th century, exploring how the Royal Navy shaped everyday lives as it became a central part of society, and turned seafarers into national celebrities.
Discover what made men join up, how they lived and what kept them in line, and how the Navy loomed large in all areas of the popular imagination, from caricatures to keepsakes and collectables.
The gallery also includes personal items belonging to Nelson, including the uniform he was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Triumph and loss, fear and bravery, fame and pain - discover the history of life at sea at the Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery.
Behind the scenes
Nelson's jacket is just one of a number of personal items in the gallery, from shoes worn by a sailor hoping to impress while on shore leave, to surgical tools used during moments of extreme crisis.
Discover more about how Nelson was perceived at the time, and how together these objects seek to tell us more about the history of Britain at sea.