National Maritime Museum
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, is the UK’s leading maritime museum, housing over 2 million objects that explore Britain’s maritime history.
Planning your visit
The National Maritime Museum holds over two million objects and sits in Greenwich, which is the appropriate ground — the Royal Observatory on the hill above defines the prime meridian, and the maritime and astronomical questions are the same question, since finding longitude at sea was the navigational problem of the eighteenth century.
Nelson is the collection's most famous holding: the uniform coat he was wearing at Trafalgar, with the bullet hole in the shoulder. Beyond it, the galleries cover exploration, trade, naval warfare, migration and Britain's maritime empire — including, in recent redisplays, the slave trade and colonial violence rather than only heroism.
The Cutty Sark, a tea clipper preserved in dry dock, and the Queen's House with its art collection are part of the wider Greenwich complex.
Admission to the main museum is free. It sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site reachable by river boat, which is the pleasant way to arrive. Allow two to three hours. Bookable options include private tours. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is National Maritime Museum?
National Maritime Museum is in London, United Kingdom. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for National Maritime Museum?
Allow two to three hours. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Is National Maritime Museum free to enter?
Yes, general admission to National Maritime Museum is free. Guided tours and special exhibitions may still be charged separately.
Do I need to book National Maritime Museum in advance?
Private tours are arranged for a set date and time, so they need booking in advance.
