A few weeks ago we took the MBNA Thames Clipper back from the O2 into Central London after our visit to Dinosaurs in the Wild. It is such a lovely way to travel and you get to see a different view of London. My children were so excited to see all the buildings along the Thames and we promised them we would come back and have a day out to Greenwich and the Cutty Sark during the school holidays. A few weeks ago we were offered some complimentary tickets so planned our trip.
London is made up of many small villages which have grown together. Greenwich is one of these areas but somehow retains its own distinctive village vibe. Greenwich is well known for its maritime history. Not only is it home to the Cutty Sark, a restored 19th-century ship, but also the National Maritime Museum, and the classical buildings of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory with the famous Greenwich meridian line.
A day out to Greenwich and the Cutty Sark
We took the London Underground into Canary Wharf, changing for the DRL to the Cutty Sark station (for Maritime Greenwich). As soon as we came out of the station we were in the heart of Greenwich. It had been a while since we last visited (before we had children!) but it felt the same. Cute little streets, a gorgeous market and well-known high street shops. We picked up some food and walked past the Cutty Sark, the last remaining tea clipper and, in her day, one of the fastest ships in the world. We sat in the Naval College Gardens and enjoyed lunch.
Then we walked back to the Cutty Sark. I hadn’t been to visit it since a trip whilst I was at University so I was excited to see how it was displayed and interpreted. It looks so impressive and you can walk around the outside and get a great view of it. Today the ship has been raised out of its dry dock on steel props. It’s a clever design which lets you explore the different levels of the ship before heading out on deck and then down to the hull via an external staircase.
We picked up copies of the kids Explorer Trail and this kept the children busy as we explored. There were lots of interactive elements to keep them occupied and they loved learning about the Cutty Sark. Our favourite parts were sitting on the moving bench (I hope you saw on my Insta Stories!), stamping their Explorer Trail, and trying out the wooden beds. I love the collection of wooden mast heads, some of which were pretty scary looking.
We must have spent about 2 hours exploring the ship before heading back out into the sunshine. We stopped off for a drink at The Mayflower which had a great view of the Cutty Sark from the pub garden. Then we visited some more of the shops before heading home. Greenwich is a great place for a day out in London.
The Cutty Sark is open daily between 10am and 5 pm. Tickets cost Adult £12.15 and Child £6.30. It can be found at King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HT. Find out more here.
We really must do this! We have been to Greenwich a lot to go to the National Maritime Museum which my kids love but for some reason we have never gone to the Cutty Sark. You’ve inspired me to do it one day this summer.
It’s also managed by the Royal Museums Greenwich so you can expect a high level of education and entertainment 🙂
This looks such a fun day out. I’ve been to Greenwich once but didn’t have a chance to go on the Cutty Sark. It definitely looks worth doing
It’s a real gem on the banks of the Thames.