Essential Information

Type Family fun
Location
Date and Times 24 July - 31 August 2025 | See page for details
Prices Free with entry to the ship

Climb aboard Cutty Sark and set sail for a summer of adventure!

Whether you want to have a go at sailor crafts, put your creativity to the test, or hear amazing stories about what life was like at sea, we've got a host of activities for all the family to enjoy.

Mother and daughter looking through porthole on Cutty Sark from opposite sides and smiling

Plus, meet historic characters roaming the ship every day or hear some sea shanties on the first weekend of every month.

See what's on at Cutty Sark during the summer holidays below. All activities are drop-in and suitable for all ages and abilities.

Activities at a glance

Get an idea of the activities running each day of the week below, and scroll further for date-specific session information.

Mondays and Fridays: Ship shapes

Put your creativity to the test and build a new dockyard in Greenwich for Cutty Sark to moor in.

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Location: Dry Berth

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Crafts

Learn fun new skills with a variety of ship-themed craft sessions.

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Location: Dry Berth

Wednesdays: Storytelling

Spark your imagination by hearing tales of those who braved the waves in the age of sail.

30-minute timed sessions starting at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm | Location: 'Tween Deck

Every day: Character actors

Meet colourful characters from Cutty Sark’s past every day and hear amazing stories about life at sea.

Roaming encounters between 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm, with static performances in the Dry Berth at 11.30am and 2.30pm

Family trail

Pick up a free family trail or backpack from the admissions desk and discover new facts, stories and people in Cutty Sark's life - past, present and future! 

2 and 3 August: Sea shanty singers

Join our resident sea shanty groups at Cutty Sark on the first weekend of every month as they sing a selection of traditional maritime songs.

Full schedule

All activities take place from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, except for storytelling sessions, which run for 30 minutes starting at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.

DateTitleDescriptionLocationType
Tuesday 26 AugustScrimshaw etchingsLearn how to etch designs on different surfaces while exploring the historical importance of scrimshaw in maritime history. Gain insight into sailors' lives and how different cultures have used this art form to tell their stories for generations.Dry BerthCraft
Wednesday 27 AugustCutty Sark storytimeJoin us to hear the story of how Cutty Sark got its name and some of the superstitions and stories the sailors onboard believed.'Tween DeckStorytelling
Thursday 28 AugustScrimshaw etchingsLearn how to etch designs on different surfaces while exploring the historical importance of scrimshaw in maritime history. Gain insight into sailors' lives and how different cultures have used this art form to tell their stories for generations.Dry BerthCraft
Friday 29 AugustShip shapesCome and play under Cutty Sark this summer! Put your creativity to the test and build a new dockyard in Greenwich for the famous tea clipper to moor in.Dry BerthShip shapes

Book Cutty Sark tickets

What’s On

See more events for families at Royal Museums Greenwich.

Planetarium shows

Ted's Space Adventure

Join Ted the bear on an adventure around the Solar System in this special live planetarium show for under-7s - perfect for little astronauts everywhere!
Weekends and school holidays until 7 September 2025
Sold out
Royal Observatory
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 term | Daily during school holidays
Included with entry to Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
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
Monthly: Next date 19 July | 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
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, 1.00pm, 2.00pm
£4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months free
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
Once a month on Saturdays | 11am-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
Tuesday 16 September - Friday 19 September 2025 | Tours at 10.30am, 3.30pm and 6.30pm (see page for details)
Free
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre