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The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is the world’s largest maritime museum. Samantha Mayling set sail to explore


Sails of the centuries


With almost two-and-a-half million objects in its collections, the National Maritime Museum has something for everyone. When I visited, there were


many youngsters on educational trips – ranging from primary school children to teenagers taking selfies. There is a dedicated ‘Ahoy’ play


zone for children under the age of seven, and the ‘All Hands’ for those aged six to 12 – plus a Great Map, which can be explored as you walk across the surface (and it’s next to the Great Map Café for weary parents to take a breather).


Havens of peace


The sheer size of the museum meant that it didn’t feel crowded and there were plenty of galleries to explore, which offered havens of peace with plenty to discover. I found out about the Battle


of Jutland in 1916 – dubbed the greatest sea battle of the First World War – and the role that the Atlantic played in the slave trade and expansion of empires. More exhibits tell stories of the


East India Company in Asia, and how coffee, tobacco, spices and sugar first came to our shores. Hailing from Norfolk –


birthplace of Horatio Nelson – I was particularly interested in the ‘Nelson Navy Nation’ gallery, which explores his life and the history of the Royal Navy from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. Personal items belonging to Nelson are on display, including


TravelGBI | April 2018


Miss Britain III racing power boat on display in the National Maritime Museum (above)


the uniform he wore when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar – with a bullet hole from the French sharpshooter in the left shoulder of the coat. My visit was too early to see the


photographic exhibition, The Great British Seaside: photography from


1960 to present, or the Exploration Wing, opening later in 2018. This new wing will have four


permanent galleries – Pacific Encounters, Polar Worlds, Tudor and Stuart Seafarers and Sea Things – with 1,000 more objects and access to areas of the museum previously closed to visitors.


Plenty to discover


There’s more to see at the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, including the Queen’s House; the Royal Observatory with the famous


world Meridian Line; and the Cutty Sark, the world’s oldest surviving tea clipper.


There’s even more to enjoy in


the area, including ‘Dinosaurs in the Wild’ on the Greenwich Peninsula (until July 31) or Greenwich Market. The nearby O2 Arena is the biggest events venue in the world, while The Old Royal Naval College hosts the Greenwich Music Time concert series. This year, the concerts will


feature Emeli Sandé, Tom Jones, Noel Gallagher, Steps and Il Divo (July 3-8). A further highlight will be


the Tourism Society’s annual Tourism Symposium (June 4-5) in Greenwich – and later in the year a new outlet shopping mall called Icon is to open at the O2.


Fact box


The National Maritime Museum is free to enter, although some exhibitions may charge. The Royal Museums Greenwich travel trade team can help group organisers, coach companies and tour operators. A groups and travel trade guide can be downloaded from the website with ready- made half-day or full-day group itineraries.


rmg.co.uk/plan-your-visit/ groups-travel-trade visitgreenwich.org.uk


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