We are making significant improvements to the building at the National Maritime Museum from spring 2024 to summer 2025. We are still welcoming schools during this time but there are a few changes that you need to be aware of:
- The central square (with glass roof) will be closed to the public from March 2024
- All visitors must arrive at the Park entrance via King William walk
- All galleries on the first and second floors will remain open with a new recommended visitor route
Download our guidance notes for more information.
National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House
You do not need to book self-guided school visits to the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House in advance, but please read the important information below to prepare for your visit.
A visitor assistant will log the details of your group on arrival.
Please be aware the AHOY! Children's Gallery will be closed to the public from March 2024.
There are restricted lunch spaces available in 2024-2025, so it is no longer possible to book lunch space in advance for self-guided groups. We cannot guarantee indoor lunch spaces will be available for self-directed groups on the day.
Please read our code of conduct so everyone has an enjoyable visit:
Cutty Sark
Self-guided school visits to Cutty Sark cost £90 for up to 30 children and £45 for up to 15 children and must be booked in advance.
We are able to offer a limited amount of free self-guided visits for state-funded Greenwich schools. These must be booked in advance using our online booking form.
Trails are available to download here.
Royal Observatory
Schools wanting to visit the historic north site of the Royal Observatory only must book their visit in advance. Complete the online booking form and our bookings team will be able to advise you on the availability and costs of north site visits. Schools that have paid for a session at any of our sites automatically gain free admission to the historic north site of the Royal Observatory. Make sure to have a copy of your booking confirmation with you and show it to a member of staff on the day of your visit. Please do follow any guidance given by our Visitor Experience team.
We cannot guarantee indoor spaces will be available for self-directed groups on the day. Pre-booked lunch spaces are not available for planetarium show, only bookings or self-guided school visits at the Royal Observatory.
Important Information for self guided groups
- When inside, please follow any one-way systems for visitor circulation, as directed by Visitor Assistants and signage.
- Please ensure you bring enough accompanying adults for your group (as per the ratios specified for your key stage below). Please split into the smallest groups possible to explore the galleries and be mindful of other museum visitors.
- Please allow extra time to wash or sanitise hands regularly throughout your visit.
- If you use one of our lunch spaces please tidy up afterwards using the cleaning materials provided.
- You can find a template for your risk assessment here.
Ratios:
- Post-16 groups: 1 adult per 16 students
- KS3 and KS4: 1 adult per 10 students
- KS2: 1 adult per 8 students
- EYFS/KS1: 1 adult per 5 students
Adults exceeding these ratios will need to pay group prices for Cutty Sark.