Ice Worlds festival guide

We can't wait to see you this October to celebrate Ice Worlds Festival and the arrival of RRS Sir David Attenborough to Greenwich.

If you've got tickets already or are joining us in Greenwich between 28 and 30 October 2021, read on to find out what you can enjoy while you're here.

Important

If you've booked a free Ice Worlds ticket, the time on your ticket is for entry to the Ice Worlds exhibits at the National Maritime Museum. You're welcome to arrive early to explore the Museum and join the talks and workshops.

RRS Sir David Attenborough is moored a short walk away on the River Thames. You don't need a ticket to see the ship from the riverside. Due to COVID-19 and crew safety visitors will not be permitted on board, but live screens and virtual tours will reveal what it's like inside.

Timed entry is in place for all our sites in order to help us manage visitor capacities. There's no limit to the amount of time you can spend with us once inside.

Still need tickets? Book here

Preparing for your visit

If you've booked online for Ice Worlds or any of our museums, you should have received your booking confirmation by email. Just bring this with you either on your phone or as a printout on the day – contact bookings@rmg.co.uk if you haven't received an email from us.

If you haven't booked a ticket yet, don't worry! Anyone visiting Greenwich will be able to see RRS Sir David Attenborough, and tickets for all our sites including historic ship Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum are still available.

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When you arrive

If you have a timed entry ticket, please allow plenty of time as late entry cannot be guaranteed. It takes approximately 10 minutes to walk from the RRS Sir David Attenborough to the National Maritime Museum.

A map of Greenwich, with a route from the RRS Sir David Attenborough to the National Maritime Museum highlighted in pink — Download the Ice Worlds route map

Talks, tours and workshops are running at the National Maritime Museum throughout the festival. These are open to anyone with a Museum or Ice Worlds ticket, and operate on a first-come, first served basis.

See what's on

British Antarctic Survey scientists are also hosting a series of family-friendly stalls and interactive exhibits. These are mainly located in the Great Map area of the National Maritime Museum, and are open to Ice Worlds ticket holders only.

Download an exhibit map

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Please note: visitors are not allowed on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough, but live virtual tours and video displays will reveal what it's like to live and work on the polar research vessel. Anyone can go to look at the ship from the riverside – you don't need a ticket for this.

Explore the stalls

See what you can discover with your Ice Worlds ticket

Polar robotics

Get hands on with the technology used on the polar research ship Sir David Attenborough

Secrets in the Ice

By extracting ice cores from Antarctica, scientists are able to travel more than 800,000 years back into Earth’s climate history

Antarctic field camp

Do you have what it takes to be a polar explorer?

Thwaites Glacier

The Thwaites Glacier is one of the most unstable glaciers in Antarctica. What would be the consequences for our planet if it melted?

Life in the ocean

Say hello to the robotic Boaty McBoatface and talk to marine biologists about deep sea Antarctic creatures

Ancient Antarctica

Did you know Antarctica was once covered by a tropical rainforest? Learn more about what fossils can tell us about past life and climate

Discover the Arctic

Take a virtual tour of the UK’s research station in the Arctic and talk to those who live and work there

Weather and climate

Discover what scientists can learn from releasing meteorology balloons in Antarctica

Find more Ice Worlds events

These activities are open to anyone - check individual pages to find out more

The Penguin Parade

Join a family friendly workshop to create your penguin accessory, before joining the penguin parade!

Science Shambles with Helen Czerski

Join us in the National Maritime Museum for a night of polar science and podcast fun

Talks and workshops

From polar scientists and climate specialists to storytellers and curators, find out more about life in the Arctic and Antarctic

Count walrus from space

Visit the National Maritime Museum and become a walrus detective!

Surviving the ice

Join us on board the famous tea clipper this October half term for some family fun!

Polar stories

Discover amazing stories about the polar regions with storyteller Paul

Polar Worlds

Science, exploration and life in extreme environments - visit the Polar Worlds gallery at the National Maritime Museum

Exposure: Lives at Sea

See the world through a seafarer's lens

Useful information

Tickets and prices

Getting here

COVID-19: information for visitors

Accessibility at Royal Museums Greenwich

Eat and drink

What's on

Maps and floor plans

Frequently asked questions

Make the most of your day

Want to keep exploring Greenwich? All our museums and attractions are open, with something for everyone to enjoy this half term.

The Parkside Café is open for eat in and takeaway food and drink. As part of our commitment to sustainability, our cafés are participating in the 'Becoming CLIMAVORE' project, ensuring menus increasingly use ingredients that help regenerate the planet.

Please note that even though COVID-19 restrictions in England have eased, we want to ensure that all our visitors, staff and volunteers still feel safe and comfortable when exploring our sites. Read our current safety guidance here.