Free event

Essential Information

Type Free displays
Location
Date and Times Wednesday 1 September – Tuesday 26 October 2021 | 10am-5pm
Prices Free display
Now closed

Artists have been inspired by rivers for centuries, and now a new generation of creatives are making their mark in a new display at the National Maritime Museum.

As part of Rivers of the World, a project run by the Thames Festival Trust and delivered in partnership with the British Council, six secondary schools from across Greenwich (St Mary Magdalene Church of England School, Eltham Hill School, The Halley Academy, Newhaven School, Woolwich Polytechnic School and Plumstead Manor School), have created art in response to their local river environments.

Working with professional arts facilitators, the students have made collaborative artworks, which tackle themes including river ecosystems, the relationship between rivers and cities and the importance of rivers as vital resources.

This year, the Greenwich schools have been paired with partner schools in Accra, Ghana, giving students the opportunity to reflect on local and global issues.

Whether you’re an art lover or river enthusiast, make sure to head to the display – located by the Great Map – to get inspired.

What’s On

Discover more events at the National Maritime Museum.

Exhibitions | Space and astronomy

Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition

See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Open daily until 11 August 2025 | 10am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
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
Exhibitions | Maritime history

Pirates

Explore the myth, discover the truth: Pirates at the National Maritime Museum is now open
Open daily until 4 January 2026 | 10am-5pm
Adult: £15 | Student: £11.25 | Child: £7.50
National Maritime Museum
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

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
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Pirates

Join John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of our Pirates exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Thursday 15 May and Saturday 1 November 2025 | 2pm-3pm
Adult: £15 | Student: £11.25 | Child: £7.50
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Ocean Court

Ocean: above and below

Dive into an ocean adventure with free activities every day at the National Maritime Museum this summer!
Daily except Mondays | 23 July - 31 August 2025
Free
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Historical pocket making workshop

Create a timeless tie-on pocket as part of this project providing community workshops accessible for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s and dementia
Tuesday 5 August, 4 November and 2 December | 11am-1pm
Free, drop-in
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

Evening of Astrophotography

Come along to a panel discussion to learn more about astrophotography, and enjoy a private viewing of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition
Friday 8 August 2025 | 6pm-8pm
Adults: £12 | Students and Under 25s: £8.50
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Art and culture

International Slavery Remembrance Day

Explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition at the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House
Saturday 23 August 2025 | 11am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

What's The Time?

Join us for a festival of energetic sounds and communal making as young artists take over the National Maritime Museum
Dates to be announced
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Members Preview: ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Members get to see the new ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition first, and hear about the winning images from an expert from the Museum
Thursday 11 September 2025 | 7pm
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
Conferences | Maritime history

Britain, Conflict, and the Sea conference

This conference seeks to explore the ways in which modern Britain has been shaped by ideas and practices of maritime war
Friday 12 September 2025 9am-5.45pm | Saturday 13 September 9am-3.30pm
Adult £50 | Postgraduate Researcher/Student £25 | Members £45
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Intermediate Astronomy

Acquire a rigorous scientific understanding of the Universe with the Royal Observatory Greenwich
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings | See page for details
£205 per module
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astronomy

Learn the basics of astronomy with expert tutors from Royal Observatory Greenwich
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astrophysics

Explore topics at the cutting edge of scientific research and the limits of human knowledge
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Enjoy 2-for-1 entry to Pirates at the National Maritime Museum and come dressed as a pirate for the chance to win some amazing treasures!
Friday 19 - Sunday 21 September 2025 | 10am-5pm
2-for-1 on all Pirates exhibition tickets | Museum admission free
National Maritime Museum
Workshops

Saturday Art Club

Register now for our weekly creative workshops for young people aged 13-16 during term time at the National Maritime Museum
Saturdays from October 2025 - April 2026 | 10am-1pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Amateur Astronomy For Beginners

A course for those looking to make astronomy into a hobby
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

STEM careers event: from seas to stars

Free careers event for schools
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Free
National Maritime Museum

Our partners

Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival Trust project delivered in partnership with the British Council.

Choose your tickets

Entry to the National Maritime Museum is free, but you must have a ticket to visit. Book online to guarantee entry. See all tickets and prices

National Maritime Museum

  • Guaranteed entry time
  • Access to all free galleries and activities
  • Astronomy Photographer of the Year currently included
Free entry
Book online
BOOK NOW

Member tickets

  • Unlimited free entry
  • Priority booking and exclusive events
  • Access using your membership card
Membership card number required
BOOK NOW

Become a Member

  • Unlimited entry all year
  • Royal Observatory
  • Cutty Sark
  • Planetarium Shows
  • Special exhibitions
Direct DebitOne-off
Individual: £65Individual: £75
Family: from £75Family: from £85
JOIN TODAY