National Maritime Museum

Overview

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is the world's largest maritime museum, exploring Britain's relationship with the sea through art, maps, ship models, and naval history. It occupies a magnificent Baroque building by Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor.

Highlights

• Great Map: A vast interactive floor map of the world that children and adults can walk across.
• Nelson's uniform: The actual coat Admiral Nelson was wearing when fatally shot at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, complete with the musket-ball hole.
• Painted Hall: The nearby Old Royal Naval College Painted Hall (separate admission) is often called "the Sistine Chapel of the UK."

History

The museum opened in 1937 in the former Royal Hospital School buildings. Its collection spans 500 years of maritime history, with over two million items including the world's largest maritime art collection.

Visitor Tips

• Free entry: Permanent collections are free; temporary exhibitions may charge.
• Combine with Greenwich: Walk to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park, and the Cutty Sark.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.