Essential information
| Type |
Experiences
|
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and times | Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026 | 11am-4pm |
| Prices | Free with entry to Cutty Sark - Adults £22 | Students £16.50 | Children £11 |
| Free for Members. Not a Member? Join now |
Here at Cutty Sark we're shining a spotlight on the heritage craft skills used to build and maintain this historic tea clipper.
Join us for drop-in activities, where you'll learn about crafts such as rope-making, fender-making and traditional caulking.
You'll also have the opportunity to take a closer look at and handle a range of historical objects and contemporary craft objects.
See all the activities below.
Recommended for ages 5+.
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Rope walk
Making rope is a vital skill for sailors on a ship like Cutty Sark, which has 11 miles of rope in its rigging. Have a go at using our model rope walk, and see for yourself how traditional ropes are made.
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Object handling
Cutty Sark was built using a variety of materials that craftspeople still work with today.
Get hands-on with artefacts from Cutty Sark's collection, and see how they relate to contemporary craft objects from the Crafts Council's handling collection.
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Fender making
Fenders are protective buffers on the sides of boats or ships, which protect vessels from knocks.
Traditionally, fenders were woven out of rope, which we'll be demonstrating on the 'Tween Deck.
Fender making is now an endangered craft, so come and be a part of preserving this skill.
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Caulking
How do you stop a ship from leaking? Caulking!
Caulking involved stuffing a ship seam with oakum (rope fibres) and then sealing it with hot tar.
Try your hand at this traditional shipbuilding skill that was crucial for keeping Cutty Sark afloat.
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Navigational instrument making
Using instruments like a sextant and compass helped Cutty Sark's crew to navigate the world safely and efficiently. In this activity, you can find out how navigational instruments work and the skills that go into making them.
Can you work out where in the world you are?
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Oar making
Traditional wooden oar making is a dying art in the UK, with fewer than 20 professionals estimated to still be working in this field. Luckily, one of our shipwrights has the skills, and will be demonstrating how he makes oars on board Cutty Sark.
Get excited for the event
