Cutty Sark London: Historic Tea Clipper Ticket & Thames Views

Stand Under a Ship That Sailed Around the World in 1869

You get full access to explore the Cutty Sark's decks, sailors' quarters, and helm, with views across the Thames from the main deck. The ship is wheelchair accessible, and children under four enter free. You're in Maritime Greenwich, so the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory are a short walk away if you want to extend the afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore historic Cutty Sark ship

• Visit Cutty Sark tea clipper
• Explore sailors' quarters
• Take helm at ship's wheel
• Stand on main deck
• View River Thames from ship
• Walk to National Maritime Museum
• Visit Queen’s House nearby
• See Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian

The Experience

What is it about old ships that makes you want to climb aboard? Maybe it's the idea that something built that long ago is still standing, still whole, still telling a story. The Cutty Sark sits in Greenwich, raised three metres off the ground so you can walk underneath her hull and see exactly how she was built: the original wooden planks and iron frames, all of it restored after a six-year conservation project that turned her into a proper museum. She was the fastest tea clipper in the world once, and she's the only one left.

Your ticket gets you inside the ship itself. You walk the main deck where the crew worked, see where the sailors slept in their cramped quarters, stand at the ship's wheel with the Thames visible beyond the rigging. There are 11 miles of rope strung across the masts. You notice it the moment you step on board, this intricate web of lines that kept everything moving. The ship launched in 1869 for the China tea trade, and even though she's been restored, you can feel the age in her. It's not a theme park version of history. It's the actual thing, preserved.

Greenwich itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House are within walking distance and free to enter. The Royal Observatory is there too if you want to see where GMT and the Prime Meridian actually are. You could spend an afternoon just moving between these places without paying much more. The Cutty Sark is the anchor, though: the thing that draws people to Greenwich in the first place.

What’s included

Your ticket includes admission to the Cutty Sark, with full access to the main deck, sailors' quarters, the ship's wheel, and views of the River Thames. Children under 4 are free.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by National Maritime Museum

Is this one for you?This is for anyone curious about maritime history or Victorian engineering who wants to stand inside an actual 1869 ship rather than read about one: the raised platform and restored interior make the whole experience tangible and unhurried.

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Top questions

How long does it take to go through the Cutty Sark?

Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours on board, though you can move at your own pace.

Can you go inside the ship or just look at it from outside?

Your ticket includes full access to explore inside: the decks, quarters, and the helm.

Is the Cutty Sark accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the ship is wheelchair accessible. The raised platform allows access to the main areas.

Are there other things to do near the Cutty Sark?

The National Maritime Museum and Queen's House are free and within walking distance. The Royal Observatory is also nearby.

Do children need a ticket?

Children under 4 enter free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Can service animals come aboard?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

How do I get to Greenwich?

Public transportation options are available nearby. The Cutty Sark is easily reached by train, bus, or the Thames Clipper.