National Maritime Museum
- Maritime history enthusiasts
- Science enthusiasts
- Families with children
What Visitors Say
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is an interesting and enjoyable place to visit. It has fascinating exhibits about ships, explorers, and Britain’s naval history. The museum is clean, well organised, and free to enter, making it great for families and visitors of all ages. I really enjoyed my visit and would highly recommend it.
A fantastic place to visit if you're spending the day in Greenwich. The museum is massive, beautifully laid out, and completely free to enter. The permanent galleries are fascinating—especially the massive ship figureheads and Nelson’s uniform. It does an incredible job of framing global history through Britain's relationship with the sea. The building itself is airy, clean, and right next to Greenwich Park, making it a perfect stop. Highly recommend!
Entry to the national maritime museum in Greenwich is free. The collection includes numerous objects form maritime history, from ship models, paintings, figureheads, maps, uniforms. Many exhibits are interactive, such as the ship simulator. A great playspace called 'Ahoy' for children ages 3-8 years old (requires timed ticket). Cafe and restaurant on site. Friendly and accommodating staff.
Excellent national museum. No cost to visit. Great exhibits including an area honoring Horatio Nelson. Saw the uniform he was wearing when he was shot and killed. Highly recommend making a special trip to visit this museum even if you have limited interest in nautical history. One block from the Cutty Sark.
Wonderful museum. I went for an event so was not able to wander as I would have wanted to: but from what I could see great exhibitions. Well worth a visit. The surrounding areas and markets are great too.
Highlights
Nelson’s Trafalgar Coat
Uniform worn at Trafalgar (1805)Look for the visible bullet hole - a stark reminder of the battle that shaped Britain’s naval story.
Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery
Sea Things Wall
1000+ curious maritime objectsFrom Roman anchors to sailor-made scrimshaw, this floor-to-ceiling display tells seafaring stories in objects.
Ground-floor ‘Sea Things’ gallery
Pacific Encounters
Oceans as cultural highwaysNavigation, voyaging canoes and exchange show how Pacific peoples mapped seas long before GPS.
First-floor galleries
Polar Worlds
Arctic & Antarctic survivalEquipment, diaries and photographs bring Franklin, Scott and Shackleton-era expeditions into sharp focus.
Exploration galleries
Time & Longitude
Finding your place at seaMarine chronometers and instruments reveal how precision timekeeping unlocked global navigation.
Navigation & astronomy displays
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Opened by King George VI on 27 April 1937; created under an Act of Parliament in 1934.
Part of Royal Museums Greenwich alongside the Royal Observatory, the Queen’s House and Cutty Sark.
Holds over two million items - from ship models and charts to paintings, uniforms and figureheads.
Vice-Admiral Nelson’s Trafalgar uniform is displayed with the fatal bullet hole still visible.
General admission is free; charges apply for some special exhibitions.
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Nearby Places
Queen's House
1 min 👣
Old Royal Naval College
3 min 👣
Old Royal Naval College
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Fan Museum
4 min 👣
Greenwich Visitor Centre
4 min 👣
Cutty Sark Museum
5 min 👣
Royal Observatory Greenwich
7 min 👣
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
7 min 👣
Ranger's House (Wernher Collection)
11 min 👣
Art in Perpetuity Trust
15 min 👣