Museum highlights
Discover the galleries
Travel the world in the National Maritime Museum's free galleries, exploring everywhere from the icy Arctic to the islands of the Pacific
ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition
See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Astronomers take over
This brand-new interactive gallery gives curious minds aged 4-104 the space to play, learn and explore!
The Cove playground
Climb, play and explore at The Cove, a fabulous sea-themed playground at the National Maritime Museum
Join a guided tour
Uncover the wonders of our collection during these daily events
Find more things to do
Epic tales of exploration, maritime treasures and family-friendly galleries
Kõmij Mour Ijin/Our Life is Here
Reflections on nuclear testing and climate change in the Marshall Islands – a contemporary art exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Windrush Food Culture exhibition
Visit this free exhibition exploring Windrush food culture and its impact on Britain through the decades: from the margins to the mainstream
Plan your visit
How to book
The National Maritime Museum is free, and you do not need to book. However, if you would like to guarantee entry and receive updates before your visit, you are welcome to book free tickets online in advance.
Use the booking calendar to select your visit date and entry time, then select the number of tickets you require and click 'Add to basket'. Your tickets will be sent to you by email once you've completed your booking.
As well as our free galleries, we also host a number of special exhibitions throughout the year. Entry to the Museum is included with your exhibition tickets.
Eat and drink
The Parkside Café is a bright and airy space at the National Maritime Museum with expansive views of Greenwich Royal Park. There is plenty of seating, both indoor and outdoor. Grab a hot or cold drink, and a selection of sandwiches and cakes - perfect for a picnic in the park.
Another option is the Ocean Court Café, located on the first floor of the Museum. This open-plan café sits alongside the Ocean Map and serves fresh coffee, sandwiches, kids' lunchboxes and even Cream Tea.
Shop
Find the perfect museum gift, from books and prints to models, toys and games. Visit us on site or shop online.
Accessibility
Find useful information about facilities and access at the National Maritime Museum, including guidance for disabled visitors coming to any of our sites.
Maps & audio guides
Download a free map to help guide you round the Museum. Dedicated audio guides are also available in different languages to help you make the most of your visit.
Gallery closures
Occasionally some galleries and spaces in the Museum will be closed events or to care for the objects on display. Find a full list of planned closures here.
Children's birthday parties
Make your child's birthday a memorable one by hosting their birthday party with an exclusive session at our AHOY! Children's Gallery, alongside a reserved space on our Ocean Map for food and drink.
Tickets and Opening
Free entry
10am-5pm
- Greenwich Station
- Maze Hill Station
- Greenwich Pier
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What’s on
Exhibitions and events at the National Maritime Museum.
Stories
Pirate flags decoded
Learn more about pirate flags, including where they came from, how they were used, and the designs of some famous Jolly Rogers
The nautical origins of everyday phrases
Ever heard that traffic was chock-a-block, been called a son of a gun, or told someone you like the cut of their jib? Learn the maritime origins of phrases you hear every day
Turning our view of the world inside out: introducing the new Ocean Map
The National Maritime Museum's Ocean Map reminds us just how much of the Earth is covered by water – and how important the ocean is to our planet
Turner's 'The Battle of Trafalgar': a maligned masterpiece?
J.M.W. Turner's vast naval scene is a treasure of the Royal Museums Greenwich collection, but why was it so controversial when it was unveiled in 1824?
Pirates: fact or fiction?
From buried treasure to walking the plank, how much of what we think we know about pirates is really true?
A stitch in time: the secrets of textile conservation
A 19th century uniform with a dramatic history is on display at the National Maritime Museum. Come behind the scenes to discover the care that went into its conservation
The art of piracy: imagining the world of Zheng Yi Sao
A series of illustrations by Livia Giorgina Carpineto brings the world of notorious pirate queen Zheng Yi Sao to life
The pirate hunter's cup
What does a carved coconut shell have to do with one of the most deadly pirates in history?
What happened to the crew of Erebus and Terror?
Sir John Franklin's final voyage in 1845 in HMS Erebus and HMS Terror became the worst disaster in the history of British polar exploration
Unfolding the past: Elgin Cleckley and the Atlantic Worlds gallery
Through colour and cardboard, a contemporary artwork at the National Maritime Museum shifts perspectives on the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans
The beautiful detail of hand-drawn maps
Plot a journey through four special maps in the National Maritime Museum collection
Search our stories
Search our digital collections, discover epic stories of sea, space and exploration, and get expert insight from our museum curators and specialists
Explore the collection
Royal Museums Greenwich holds over 2.5 million items. Search our digital collections or visit our library, archive and collections studio
Collections Online
Search our online database and explore our objects, paintings, archives and library collections from home
The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Come behind the scenes at our state-of-the-art conservation studio
Caird Library
Visit the world's largest maritime library and archive collection at the National Maritime Museum
Library & Archive blog
The latest news, blogs and discoveries from the Caird Library & Archive team
Research
Find out about our current research projects, opportunities and conferences, and meet the curatorial team at Royal Museums Greenwich
Conservation
The Conservation and Preservation team maintain and look after our collections
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