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Plan your perfect visit to Cutty Sark

If you’re in London and eager to explore a piece of maritime history, a trip to Cutty Sark is a must. The experience takes you through the era of the fastest tea clipper in the world, spanning the main deck, the captain’s cabin, crew quarters, and interactive exhibits that bring its global voyages vividly to life.

With so much to explore in a relatively compact space, planning your route through the ship helps you prioritise highlights, avoid backtracking, and make the most of your time. Here’s everything you need to plan a smooth and memorable visit.

Navigating your way

Start at the main entrance

👉 Enter through the Greenwich street-level entrance, where you can collect tickets and maps. Arrive a little early to avoid short queues.

Follow the recommended route

👉 Begin on the main deck to admire the masts and views of the Thames. Next, visit the Captain’s Cabin and crew quarters before continuing to the figurehead collection and multimedia exhibits.

Optional add-ons

👉 Take a break at the onboard café or the special Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea inside the hull. Stop by the gift shop for maritime-themed souvenirs and collectable models of the ship.

Use available tools

👉 Grab a printed map at the ticket desk or use the official Cutty Sark app to track your location, plan your route, and make sure you don’t miss any highlights.

Want to see more in one day?

If you want to explore more in a day, opt for the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass. With one ticket, you can visit up to 4 attractions, all with a multilingual audio guide, making it the easiest way to explore without juggling multiple tickets.

How to make the most of your time?

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Quick visit

1 to 1.5 hours

Main deck → Captain’s Cabin → Crew Quarters → Figurehead Collection

A fast-paced glimpse of Cutty Sark’s engineering, interiors, and figureheads, perfect if you are on a tight schedule

Balanced tour

2 to 3 hours

Main deck → Captain’s Cabin → Crew Quarters → Figurehead Collection → Dry Dock → Interactive Exhibits

A well-rounded visit combining hands-on exhibits with historical insights, giving you a clear sense of life at sea

Immersive experience

3 to 4 hours

Main deck → Captain’s Cabin → Crew Quarters → Figurehead Collection → Dry Dock → Interactive Exhibits → Onboard Café & Gift Shop

A deep dive into Cutty Sark’s history, with soundscapes, immersive exhibits, and multimedia, allowing you to explore the ship at your own pace and discover its unique stories.

Handy tips 

Avoid the queues

  • Reserve tickets early: Book your tickets at least 2 weeks in advance, especially for weekends, peak summer periods, or school holidays when slots fill quickly.
  • Pick calmer windows: Mornings from 10 am to 11:30 am or late afternoons after 4 pm are quieter, letting you explore the main deck and dry dock without crowds.
  • Visit on weekdays: For a more relaxed and crowd-free experience, plan your visit on weekdays rather than weekends.

Navigate smartly

  • Check special events: Look at the schedule for exhibitions or costumed character events during your visit and plan accordingly to enjoy the experience fully.
  • Combine nearby attractions: Pair your visit with a Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass for entry to Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the Queen’s House for a complete Greenwich experience in a single day.

Explore Cutty Sark

Main Deck & Rigging

Stroll along the main deck to admire the tall masts and complex rigging against the views of the River Thames. As you walk along, interactive displays show you how the sails were designed for speed and how the crew worked to navigate far-flung routes.

  • What to look out for: Deck hatches, sailing instruments, mast rigging

Captain’s Cabin

Step into the captain’s cabin and imagine the world of the ship’s officer. The restored quarters give you a glimpse into the daily routines and responsibilities of the crew on tea-trade journeys.

  • What to look out for: Logbooks, nautical charts

Crew Quarters

Discover the living areas of the sailors, from sleeping and eating spaces to cargo sections. Exploring here gives you a sense of life at sea and how the crew worked to keep the ship running.

  • What to look out for: Hammocks, galley setup, cargo storage

Figurehead Collection

Beneath the ship lies one of the world’s largest collections of merchant navy figureheads. Each of the creatures in this collection has a story to tell, offering insight into the symbolism of maritime tradition.

  • What to look out for: Nannie, royal figures, mythical carvings

Glass-Covered Dry Dock & Hull

Don’t miss the highlight of the experience: walking under the raised hull in the glass-covered dry dock. You’ll see the copper-plated structure up close and appreciate the engineering that made Cutty Sark one of the fastest tea clippers ever built.

  • What to look out for: Keel design, copper plating, hull construction

Interactive Exhibits & Multimedia

Engage with displays and multimedia experiences that bring the ship’s voyages and the global tea trade to life. Try steering the ship’s wheel, learn about cargo handling, and discover how restoration keeps Cutty Sark sailing through history.

  • What to look out for: Navigational simulations, cargo exhibits, soundscapes

Onboard Café & Gift Shop

After exploring, take a break at the café with a coffee or the special Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea, and browse the gift shop for maritime-themed souvenirs and ship replicas.

  • What to look out for: Afternoon tea inside the hull, ship replicas, themed gifts

Before you get there

About

Learn everything you need to know about Cutty Sark, from its history to what to see on your visit.

Timings

Find the best times to visit Cutty Sark and plan around peak crowds and seasonal schedules.

Directions

Get the best travel options to reach Cutty Sark quickly and conveniently from anywhere in London.

Know before you book your Cutty Sark tickets.

  • Ticket options: Choose from standard Cutty Sark tickets for full access to the tea clipper and all its exhibitions, the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass for visiting multiple top attractions in one day, or the Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea for a more indulgent experience with classic English tea served beneath the hull.
  • What’s included: Every Cutty Sark ticket lets you explore the ship and its exhibitions, while the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass also includes entry to the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the Queen’s House. Choosing the right ticket comes down to how much you want to see in one visit.
  • Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea: If you’re looking for something a little different, afternoon tea beneath the ship’s hull is hard to beat. You’ll explore Cutty Sark at your own pace, then sit down to traditional English tea in a setting you won’t find anywhere else in London.
  • Accessibility: Most of Cutty Sark is accessible for wheelchair users, but as this is a historic ship, some areas can be difficult to reach. You’ll still be able to enjoy most of the highlights, but it’s best to check the official accessibility details in advance if you have specific mobility needs.

Your Cutty Sark tickets explained.

Ticket typeWhat’s includedBest forPrice range

Cutty Sark entrance ticket

Entry to Cutty Sark + downloadable multilingual audio guide

Exploring the ship at your own pace

£22

Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass

Cutty Sark + Royal Observatory + National Maritime Museum + Queen’s House + audio guide

Covering more attractions in one day

£34

Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea

Cutty Sark entry + Afternoon Tea beneath the hull

Pairing sightseeing with a special tea experience

£47

Cutty Sark timings

DayTimingsLast entryClosed on

Monday – Sunday

10 am to 5 pm

4.15 pm

24, 25 and 26 December

Best time to visit

Weekday vs weekend

  • Weekday: Tuesdays to Thursdays are the calmest, especially right at opening around 10 am or later in the afternoon after 4 pm. You will have more space to explore the decks and exhibits at an easy pace.
  • Weekend: Saturdays and Sundays are busier from late morning through mid-afternoon, particularly during school holidays.

Peak season vs low season

  • Peak season: June to August and major UK school holidays bring higher visitor numbers, especially on weekends.
  • Low season: November to February is quieter overall, making it ideal for a relaxed visit indoors.

Where is Cutty Sark located?

Address: King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9HT, United Kingdom

Cutty Sark is located in Greenwich, London, on King William Walk, within the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site in southeast London. It sits in a compact cultural area surrounded by museums and historic landmarks.

Closest landmark: National Maritime Museum, just a short walk from the ship.

Getting to Cutty Sark

How to get there

  • Best for: Regional and London connections
  • Closest stations: Greenwich & Maze Hill

Greenwich Station is the nearest mainline station, around an 11-minute walk through Greenwich town centre. Maze Hill station is slightly further, roughly a 15-minute walk.

  • Best for: Underground travel combined with bus connections
  • Closest station: North Greenwich (Jubilee line)

There is no Tube station in Greenwich itself. From North Greenwich station, continue by local bus or taxi to Cutty Sark.

  • Best for: Short city journeys
  • Closest stops: King William Walk, Greenwich Town Centre

Bus routes 129, 177, 180, 188, 199, and 386 stop close to Cutty Sark, all within a short walk.

  • Best for: Scenic Thames travel
  • Closest pier: Greenwich Pier

River services stop at Greenwich Pier, from where the Cutty Sark is a short walk through the historic centre.

Facilities

  • Restrooms: Toilets, including accessible toilets and baby-change facilities, are available on the lower ground floor near the café and in the access tower across the main deck.
  • Audio guides: Free downloadable audio guides are available for mobile devices, including British Sign Language options.
  • Buggy park: Space is provided for parking pushchairs in designated areas on the lower deck.
  • Lockers: Small lockers are available for £1 to store personal items.
  • Gift shop: The on-board shop offers maritime-themed souvenirs, books, ship models, and memorabilia.
  • Café: The café beneath the hull serves light meals, snacks, teas, and drinks to ticket holders.
  • Baby changing: Baby-change facilities are located near the toilets for convenience.

Accessibility

General Facilities

  • Priority access is available at entrances, allowing guests to bypass standard queues.
  • Step-free access, lifts and ramps are available at most areas around Cutty Sark, though some sections might remain challenging.

Physical Disabilities

  • Wheelchair access is available for most decks, with up to three wheelchairs allowed on board at once.
  • User-friendly and accessible restrooms are located near the café and access tower.

Hearing Impairments

  • Hearing loops are in place at admissions and retail desks.
  •  Multilingual audio guides, including British Sign Language, are available.
  • Assistants trained in British Sign Language Level 1 are available.

Visual Impairments

  • BSL-supported and subtitled films, as well as touchscreens, are provided at selected points.
  • Online braille guides, tactile elements and descriptive guides are available to download or request at the entrance to explore exhibits.

Visiting with family

  • Baby‑change facilities are provided in the accessible toilets on the lower ground floor near the café and access tower, making nappy changes easier during your visit.
  • Accessible toilets throughout the site include a family‑friendly space for changing and quick breaks between exhibits.
  • The on‑site café offers light meals, snacks, teas, and drinks, which can be helpful with children who need a food break.
  • Open spaces on the main deck give kids room to move and explore while you walk through the ship’s historic areas.

Rules and restrictions

  • Entry requires a valid, dated ticket, and all visitors must pass through standard security screening.
  • Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not permitted on board for security reasons.
  • Outside food and meals are not allowed on board.
  • Pets are not allowed on site, except for certified assistance dogs with valid documentation.
  • Smoking, including e‑cigarettes and vaping, is prohibited anywhere inside Cutty Sark or the surrounding museum grounds.
  • Non‑commercial photography is generally allowed, but tripods, professional equipment, and drones are not permitted without prior approval.
  • Touching or climbing on exhibits or fittings not marked as interactive is prohibited.

Where to eat

Cutty Sark Café

Set directly beneath the ship’s hull, this café lets you pause your visit and dine within the Cutty Sark itself.

  • Highlights: Afternoon tea beneath the hull, light meals and cakes, hot drinks and refreshments.

The Green Café

A relaxed neighbourhood café known for fresh, unfussy food and a friendly atmosphere close to the museums.

  • Highlights: Breakfast and brunch dishes, homemade cakes, family-friendly seating.

The Gipsy Moth

A historic riverside pub located right beside the Cutty Sark, ideal for a meal before or after your visit.

  • Highlights: Classic British pub food, outdoor seating by the Thames, nautical-themed interiors.

Where to shop

Cutty Sark Gift Shop

The official shop of the Cutty Sark focused on maritime history and ship-inspired keepsakes.

  • Highlights: Ship models and replicas, nautical-themed gifts, books and souvenirs.

Greenwich Market

A lively covered market filled with independent stalls selling crafts, art, and vintage items.

  • Highlights: Handmade crafts, unique gifts, locally made products.

Made in Greenwich

A curated shop showcasing products created by local designers and makers.

  • Highlights: Locally designed jewellery, homeware and gifts; Greenwich-themed items

Where to stay

Staycity Aparthotels

Modern serviced apartments offering extra space and flexibility close to Greenwich attractions.

  • Highlights: Kitchenettes, spacious rooms, good option for longer stays.

Novotel London

A reliable mid-range hotel well suited for sightseeing days in Greenwich and central London.

  • Highlights: Family-friendly rooms, on-site restaurant, strong transport connections.

DoubleTree by Hilton London

An upscale hotel set in a restored historic building, offering a quieter base near Greenwich.

  •  Highlights: Stylish rooms, on site dining, calmer setting away from busy streets.

Insider tips

  • Plan 60 to 90 minutes for your visit. Late mornings between 11 am and 2 pm are the busiest due to school groups and tour traffic.
  • Start beneath the hull in the dry dock. Most visitors head upstairs first, so this area is often quieter for the first 20 to 30 minutes after opening.
  • Download the free audio guide in advance. Mobile signal can be unreliable inside the ship’s metal structure, and preloading saves time at entry.
  • Expect wind on the main deck all year round. Even in summer, the exposed deck can feel cold, so explore outdoor areas early and move indoors after.
  • Visit Cutty Sark first if pairing it with other Greenwich sights. It opens earlier than nearby museums, which helps pace the day without backtracking.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Cutty Sark

Most visitors spend around 1 to 1.5 hours exploring the ship. If you want to take a break at the café beneath the hull, allow up to 2 hours.