What is the Cutty Sark?
Launched in 1869, the Cutty Sark is the world's last surviving tea clipper, one of the fastest sailing ships of her time, built to race tea from China and later wool from Australia. She now sits in a dry dock in Greenwich, raised above the ground so you can walk underneath her copper-clad hull.
Inside you explore the decks and holds, with interactive exhibits on life at sea. It's part of Royal Museums Greenwich, alongside the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum (free) and the Queen's House (free).
Ticket prices
Royal Museums Greenwich recommends booking online to guarantee entry. Prices are sometimes lower online and in off-peak sales. The Rig Climb (climbing the ship's rigging with an instructor) and afternoon tea under the hull are booked separately.
Is the Day Pass worth it?
Yes, if you'll see both: it saves about £6 per adult. The Royal Observatory is the busier of the two, so book a morning slot there and do the Cutty Sark afterwards.
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How busy is the Cutty Sark?
Greenwich gets very busy on sunny weekends, school holidays and around Greenwich Market days. Rain sends people to the free museums nearby, not usually to the Cutty Sark.
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Go when it’s quiet: see live crowds and the hourly forecast.
How to skip the queues
- Book online with a time slot.
- Come at 10 am on a weekday.
- Do the Royal Observatory first if you have the Day Pass: it's uphill and busier later.
- Arrive by boat for the best approach and no tube crowds.
What you'll see
- The lower hold: the ship's iron frame and cargo story, with tea chests.
- The 'tween deck: interactive exhibits on the ship's races and the crew.
- The main deck: the rigging, the captain's cabin and crew quarters.
- Under the hull: walk beneath the gleaming copper hull, the most memorable view.
- Figurehead collection: one of the largest collections of merchant ship figureheads.
Plans by visitor type
A Greenwich day
Royal Observatory at 10 am, walk down through Greenwich Park, Cutty Sark at noon, lunch at Greenwich Market, then the free National Maritime Museum and Queen's House.
Families
Kids love the hammocks, the interactive games and the figureheads. Under 4s are free and there's lift access to all decks.
Thrill-seekers
Book the Rig Climb for views over the Thames. Age, height and fitness rules apply.
Insider tips
- Arrive by river. The boat from central London is the best way to see the Cutty Sark from the water first.
- Free nearby: the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House and the view from Greenwich Park.
- Walk the Greenwich Foot Tunnel under the Thames to Island Gardens for the classic view of the Old Royal Naval College.
- Afternoon tea under the hull is a memorable treat. Book ahead.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying separate tickets when you'll see the Royal Observatory too.
- Arriving after 4:15 pm.
- Leaving the Royal Observatory until a busy weekend afternoon.
Best (and worst) times by season
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Cutty Sark, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Monday, 10 am-12 pm
A short history
Built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, the Cutty Sark was designed for the China tea trade, where ships raced to bring the season's first tea to London. The opening of the Suez Canal the same year meant steamships soon took over, and she moved to carrying wool from Australia, where she set speed records. She later sailed under the Portuguese flag before being brought back to Britain and put on display in Greenwich in the 1950s. After a serious fire in 2007, she was restored and reopened in 2012, raised up so visitors can walk underneath.
Is the Cutty Sark worth it?
Yes, especially for families and anyone interested in ships or trade history. Walking under the hull is unique. Combine it with the Royal Observatory and Greenwich's free museums for one of London's best day trips.
FAQs
How much is the Cutty Sark?
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£22 for adults, £11 for children and £16.50 for students. Under 4s are free.
Is there a combined ticket with the Royal Observatory?
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Yes, the Day Pass costs £38 for adults and £19 for children.
What are the Cutty Sark's opening hours?
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Daily 10 am-5 pm, last entry 4:15 pm, with longer hours in summer.
How long do you need at the Cutty Sark?
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1.5-2 hours.
What's the best time to visit the Cutty Sark?
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10 am on a weekday. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.
Heading to Cutty Sark?
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How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
