Free event Essential Information Type Family fun Location National Maritime Museum Cutty Sark Date and Times 28-30 October 2021 See all available tickets Information for visitors The UK's newest polar research ship is coming to Greenwich. The RRS Sir David Attenborough is making a special visit to London this October, as part of a fantastic festival of polar science and exploration hosted by Royal Museums Greenwich and British Antarctic Survey. Image The free three-day Ice Worlds festival will reveal what it's really like to live and work in the Arctic and Antarctic today. Featuring a dazzling showcase of environmental science, engineering and technology, Ice Worlds will enthral families and aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, technicians, engineers and citizens. Meet real polar scientists and explorers, and discover how robots can help unravel the mysteries of the ocean – including the famous Boaty McBoatface submersible. Also on display will be the treasures of the National Maritime Museum's polar collection, including relics from HMS Erebus and Terror and items belonging to Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton. At the heart of the festival is the RRS Sir David Attenborough itself, sailing into Greenwich ahead of the vitally important UN Climate Change Conference COP26. Operated by British Antarctic Survey, the polar vessel will enable world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic. Anyone can see the ship from the riverside while it is docked in Greenwich. Come down and see RRS Sir David Attenborough before it begins its first mission to the Antarctic. Join a virtual tour on Facebook Plan your visit Visiting Ice Worlds The National Maritime Museum is hosting a series of free stalls, demonstrations and talks throughout the Ice Worlds festival. Advance online Ice Worlds tickets are now very limited, but walk-up tickets will be released each day subject to availability. If Ice Worlds tickets are unavailable, you can still book a free National Maritime Museum ticket and enjoy some of the activities taking place. However, exhibits held in the Great Map area of the National Maritime Museum are not included. Remember, the time on your ticket is for entry to the National Maritime Museum and not for seeing RRS Sir David Attenborough. You're welcome to arrive at the Museum in advance of your entry time, but late entry will not be permitted. Check the festival guide Seeing RRS Sir David Attenborough The polar research ship will be moored near to Cutty Sark throughout the festival period. You don't need an Ice Worlds ticket to see the ship. Due to crew and visitor safety, visitors will not be allowed on the ship itself, but virtual tours and large displays will show what life is like for the crew and scientists on board. You can book tickets to enter the historic ship Cutty Sark at any time. Visitor maps and venues Cutty Sark and Sir David Attenborough are just a short walk from the main entrance to the National Maritime Museum, so it's easy to explore everything Ice Worlds has to offer. You can head to the Thames riverside to see the RRS Sir David Attenborough at any time; you do not need a ticket for this. Download a visitor map Getting to Greenwich COVID-19: information for visitors Even though restrictions in England have eased, we want to ensure that all our visitors, staff and volunteers still feel safe and comfortable when exploring our sites. Many of our COVID-19 safety measures remain in place, including enhanced cleaning, safe distancing and ticketed entry. We highly recommend wearing a face covering at all indoor venues and enclosed spaces. We hope you will support us in these measures. How we're keeping visitors safe Tickets and Opening Free entry Charges apply for Cutty Sark Book now 28-30 October 2021 10am-5pm Greenwich Station Cutty Sark DLR Maze Hill Station Greenwich Pier View on map Directions via Public Transport Directions from your location Ice Worlds online Watch a series of talks live from the lecture theatre at the National Maritime Museum, or see the full playlist on YouTube. What's on Find out more about the stalls and demonstrations taking place at the National Maritime Museum Talks and workshops From polar scientists and climate specialists to storytellers and curators, find out more about life in the Arctic and Antarctic The Penguin Parade Join a family friendly workshop to create your penguin accessory, before joining the penguin parade! Secrets in the ice By extracting ice cores from Antarctica, scientists are able to travel more than 800,000 years back into Earth’s climate history Count walrus from space Visit the National Maritime Museum and become a walrus detective! Science Shambles with Helen Czerski Join us in the National Maritime Museum for a night of polar science and podcast fun Antarctic field camp Do you have what it takes to be a polar explorer? Surviving the Ice Join us on board Cutty Sark as we discover how crews survived the freezing temperatures of the Antarctic The Thwaites Glacier The Thwaites Glacier is one of the most unstable glaciers in Antarctica. What would be the consequences for our planet if it melted? Life in the ocean Say hello to the robotic Boaty McBoatface and talk to marine biologists about deep sea Antarctic creatures Polar robotics Get hands on with the technology used on the polar research ship Sir David Attenborough Discover the Arctic Take a virtual tour of the UK’s research station in the Arctic and talk to those who live and work there Weather and climate Discover what scientists can learn from releasing meteorology balloons in Antarctica Full festival programme coming soon Sign up to our newsletter to hear more about Ice Worlds and the RRS Sir David Attenborough visit Sign up Image About RRS Sir David Attenborough Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough is one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world. It is designed to carry out scientific research in some of Earth's most hostile environments, and provide vital supplies to the UK's research stations in both the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship was commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council and built by Cammell Laird. The ship is operated by the British Antarctic Survey, and is part of a major government investment in polar infrastructure which will keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic. Explore the ship Everything you need to know about RRS Sir David Attenborough Learn more about one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world What's in a name? From Boaty McBoatface to Sir David Attenborough, discover how the new ship got its name Building Sir David Attenborough Follow the timeline of the new polar research ship, from naming and construction to sea trials and beyond Ice breaker, world changer Find out more about the facilities, equipment and advances that make RRS Sir David Attenborough a pioneering research vessel Where is the RRS Sir David Attenborough now? Track the UK's polar research vessel as it carries out important scientific research with the British Antarctic Survey Polar exploration: past, present and future The polar regions have been a focus for scientific enquiry and exploration for centuries. As we confront the consequences of climate change, understanding that legacy is more important than ever. The National Maritime Museum is home to some of the most significant records and artefacts in British polar exploration history. Explore the Polar Worlds Gallery The RRS Sir David Attenborough marks a new chapter in that polar story. Thanks to cutting-edge engineering and technology, scientists can explore where no human has ever been before. In both the Arctic and Antarctic, they can continue searching for answers to our planet's most pressing challenges. This October, join British Antarctic Survey and Royal Museums Greenwich to celebrate the past, present and future of polar science. Visit National Maritime Museum Discover epic stories of exploration and endeavour that have shaped our world today Find out more Shop A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough £20.00 Sir David Attenborough is Britain's best-known natural history film-maker. His career as a naturalist and broadcaster has spanned nearly seven decades... Buy Now Guide Polar exploration Read about the thrills, chills and heroic endeavours of polar exploration. Start exploring Images courtesy of British Antarctic Survey In partnership with Royal Museums Greenwich Close Choose your tickets Advance tickets for Ice Worlds are now limited, but you can still visit Greenwich and see the RRS Sir David Attenborough – you don't need a ticket to see the ship. Tickets for all our sites and exhibitions are still available. National Maritime Museum Guaranteed entry time Access to all free galleries and activities Paid exhibitions not included Free entry Book online BOOK NOW Cutty Sark Explore the main deck Walk beneath the ship See how the crew lived Family activities and interactives Guaranteed entry time Audio guide included Adult £18 Child £9 BOOK NOW Royal Observatory Walk the Prime Meridian line See the best view in London Guaranteed entry time Audio guide included Planetarium shows not included Adult £18 Child £9 BOOK NOW Queen's House Internationally renowned art Stunning architecture The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I Free entry Book online BOOK NOW Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass Save 25% with combo ticket Cutty Sark Royal Observatory Guaranteed entry time Planetarium shows not included Adult £27 Child £13.50 BOOK NOW Become a Member Unlimited entry all year Royal Observatory Cutty Sark Planetarium Shows Special exhibitions Direct Debit One-off Individual: £50 Individual: £60 Family: from £60 Family: from £70 JOIN TODAY Member tickets Free and fast-track Museums entry Priority booking Access using your membership card Membership card number required BOOK NOW Special exhibition Astronomy Photographer of the Year The world's greatest space photography Over 100 images on display Entry to National Maritime Museum included Adult £10 Child £5 BOOK NOW