London: Cutty Sark & Afternoon Tea Under Historic Ship

Afternoon Tea Beneath a Record-Breaking Tea Clipper

You board the Cutty Sark, explore the original 1869 structure and Victorian crew quarters, then settle beneath her copper hull for afternoon tea featuring the same teas the ship was built to transport. The seating time (12pm, 1:30pm, or 3pm) is your entry point. Arrive on time and allow at least an hour to tour the ship before or after, depending on your slot. Both entry and tea are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Cutty Sark and enjoy afternoon tea

• Come aboard the Cutty Sark ship
• Admire the ship's original structure
• Walk underneath the copper hull
• Enjoy afternoon tea under the ship
• Taste a selection of Cutty Sark teas
• Visit the upper deck for river views

The Experience

You walk underneath the Cutty Sark's gleaming copper hull and stop. The ship rises above you: 1869, built for the China tea trade, the fastest clipper ever to sail. This is where your afternoon tea happens, right here in the shadow of the original structure, and it's the kind of detail that makes the whole thing stick with you. The tea itself comes from the same routes this ship once raced: you're tasting what the crew carried, what made the Cutty Sark legendary. Entry to the ship and the tea service are both included, so you don't have to sort out separate tickets or timing.

The rhythm of the day depends on when you book. Your afternoon tea seating (12pm, 1:30pm, or 3pm) is locked in, so arrive on time. Before tea, you can walk the decks, climb aboard, and see how the Victorian crew lived and slept in quarters that feel impossibly small now. The upper deck opens onto the River Thames and the London skyline, and you get time to stand there and look. If you've booked the 3pm slot, plan to visit the ship before your tea. The Cutty Sark closes at 5pm, so you'll want at least an hour to move through it without rushing.

The ship itself is the draw: the only tea clipper left in the world, celebrated for her record-breaking passages. Walk underneath that copper hull, admire the cutting-edge design that made her the fastest. Then sit down to tea underneath her, and the two things become one memory. Dietary requirements need 72 hours' notice and a direct email to [e-mail]. The supplier can't adjust on the day, so plan ahead if you need accommodation.

What’s included

• Entry to the Cutty Sark ship.
• afternoon tea service with a selection of Cutty Sark teas.
• access to all decks including the upper deck with Thames and London skyline views.
• exploration of Victorian crew quarters and original 1869 ship structure.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by National Maritime Museum

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine a London landmark visit with a sit-down meal in one location. The fixed tea time is what keeps both the ship tour and the tea service inside a single afternoon without juggling separate reservations.

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Top questions

What time does the Cutty Sark close?

5pm. If you book the 3pm tea seating, visit the ship before your tea service to allow at least 60 minutes to explore.

Can I change my afternoon tea time after booking?

Your booking time is fixed as your seating time. Check the available slots (12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm) before confirming.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

No on the day. If you have dietary needs, contact [e-mail] at least 72 hours before your visit.

Is the Cutty Sark wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the ship is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can use prams or strollers, and service animals are allowed.

What's included in the afternoon tea?

Entry to the Cutty Sark and afternoon tea service. The tea comes from the same routes the ship sailed during the China tea trade.

Can I visit the upper deck?

Yes. The upper deck offers views of the River Thames and the London skyline and is part of your ship visit.