Exploring the Cutty Sark Greenwich

Are you a history buff looking for your next adventure? Look no further than the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. As one of the last surviving tea clippers from the 19th century, this iconic ship offers visitors a glimpse into maritime history like no other. From its sleek wooden exterior to the fascinating stories behind its voyages, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this must-see destination.

I last visited the Cutty Shark ship in Greenwich, London around 20 years ago long before it became the attraction it is now and when it was exposed to the elements. We were housesitting in London and it was a beautiful day to cruise the Thames after a ride on the London Eye.

How to get to the Cutty Sark Ship

Cutty Sark station on the Docklands Light Railway is a one-minute walk away, with connections to central London and the London Underground. Greenwich Pier is next to the ship and is served by scheduled river boats from piers in central London.  

We took a River Cruise down the Thames heading to the National Maritime Museum, the river cruise allowed us to hop on and hop off which was brilliant as it meant we got to see so many sites along the Thames River. If you are visiting London with kids there are so many things to see in southeast London beyond the Cutty Sark Greenwich from museums to aquariums you can keep the kids busy for days.

Cutty Sark Maritime Greenwich

Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich is a light metro station on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Bank-Lewisham Line in Greenwich, south-east London, so named for its proximity to the Cutty Sark in the Maritime Greenwich district. It is the most central of the Greenwich DLR stations, being situated in Greenwich town centre.

Where is the Cutty Sark Ship located?

The Cutty Sark Ship is placed in a prominent position on Greenwich Pier and is quite outstanding with its clear encased support system and views of the ship rising above the pier. If you are a London Marathon fan then you will know the Cutty Sark is a landmark on the race trail.

The Cutty Sark is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich, a collection of historic monuments also including the Royal Observatory, the Queen’s House, and the National Maritime Museum.

The Royal Museums Greenwich are located within Maritime Greenwich, one of four UNESCO World Heritage sites in London.

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How to plan your trip to the UK, Ireland and Scotland

Cutty Sark Price for tickets and other Greenwich attractions

Cutty Sark hours

The Cutty Sark Museum onboard the ship is open from 10-5 every day.

Cutty Sark location

King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10.

Story of the Cutty Sark Ship Greenwich

How old is the Cutty Sark? Cutty Sark is 150 years old. During its years as a British merchant ship, Cutty Sark visited sixteen different countries and travelled the equivalent of two-and-a-half voyages to the moon and back.

What does the name Cutty Sark mean? It is named after a character in the poem by Robert Burns called Tam O’Shanter. It refers to a short nightie worn by one of the main characters in the poem, a witch called Nannie.

Did the Cutty Sark have a sister ship? This was The Tweed. Originally a paddle steamer, she was transformed into a sailing ship by John Willis, and soon became his favourite ship. Originally named Punjaub; The Tweed began life in 1854 as a naval frigate operated by the East India Company.

What is the meaning of Cutty Sark? Cutty Sark’ is an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. ‘Cutty’ means short or stumpy, and ‘sark’ means nightdress or shirt.

The Cutty Sark is a British clipper ship that was built on the River Leven in Dumbarton Scotland in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line, she was one of the last tea clippers to be built, and one of the fastest. The building of Clipper ships was soon to be abandoned due to the advent of the steam engine.

In the same year, the Suez Canal opened which meant that Britain gained a faster route to China to ply the tea trade. With massive amounts of competition, the Cutty Sark turned to the Australian wool trade where she held the record for the fastest time to England for over 10 years.

In 1895 the Cutty Sark was sold to a Portuguese company that operated it as a cargo ship. In 1922 she was sold to a British sea captain and moved to Falmouth Cornwall was she was used as a training ship. In 1938 she became an auxiliary cadet training ship but by 1954 she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich for public display.

The Cutty Sark is listed on the National Historic Ships and she is one of only three remaining original wooden hulls on iron frame clipper ships from the nineteenth century.

The Cutty Sark has been damaged by fire twice in recent years, in 2007 she was going through a complete restoration when she caught on fire. In 2014 there was also a small fire where some damage occurred. It does make you wonder though why it is that these historic ships and buildings seem to be prone to these fires. In recent years with Notre Dame, Windsor Castle, and the Glasgow School of Art you have to wonder what is going wrong during these historic restoration projects.

6 Facts about the Cutty Sark

• The Cutty Sark is looked after by the Cutty Sark Trust and its president is the Duke of Edinburgh who set up the trust in 1951.
• She has the world’s greatest collection of ship figureheads displayed in the gallery.  
• If you are a whiskey drinker you are probably quite aware that there is a Cutty Sark whisky which my husband tells me is “not bad” for a non-Irish whiskey.     
• The ship was named after the witch Nannie Dee who appears in Robert Burns’ poem Tam o’ Shanter. The ship’s figurehead is a carving of a bare-breasted Nannie Dee with long black hair holding a grey horse’s tail clutched in her hand.

• The Cutty Sark is a magnificent sight on the Greenwich Pier. She is raised about  3m above her dry dock to give visitors this view. This part of the restoration garnered the Trust much criticism and a Carbuncle Cup award by Building Design Magazine.
• One of the fundraisers to save the Cutty Sark and restore her was undertaken by Jerry Bruckheimer the Oscar-winning film producer. A collection of his photos taken during the film Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End was placed on display and auctioned to add to the restoration coffers.

The Cutty Sark has a variety of animators and interactive projections playing various roles on different days that introduce you to life onboard a vessel like the Cutty Sark. You can meet Captain Woodget the ship’s longest-serving master. Nannie the Witch was carved into immortality as the figurehead. Then there’s Mrs Ray who misses her son Clarence and his letters from around the world.

You will also meet the cook of the Cutty Sark and find out what they ate onboard the ship, and Jock Willis the man who built the Cutty Sark.

You can explore the ship from top to bottom and take in several interactive displays that show you life at sea on board a tea clipper.

This is a true hands-on experience, the writing on the display boards is clear and informative.

You get to learn about the world and all its wonders in maps of the era, images, and video presentations. There are even benches that simulate the ship’s movement.

My husband was entranced by the whole experience and as someone who loves sailing he absolutely would go back time and time again

 After exploring the ship and meeting the characters onboard, relax and enjoy the British tradition of afternoon tea. Located underneath the world’s sole surviving tea clipper, the Cutty Sark café is a great place to relax as well as being in a unique setting underneath the original hull of this spectacular ship.

The Cutty Sark was built in 1869 to challenge the best tea clippers on the China tea run. While Cutty Sark’s days of racing across the oceans to get the finest and freshest teas back to London may be over, the tradition continues under its copper hull of bringing a tea experience to our visitors.

Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience

For the first time since the ship’s arrival in Greenwich in 1954, visitors can climb the rigging of Cutty Sark and get a taste of what it would have been like to sail the historic ship.

The Cutty Sark Museum has partnered with Wire & Sky to bring this amazing experience to Greenwich. Visit the ship, climb the rigging and enjoy a view of the Thames like no other. Ticket cost per Adult: £52 and this includes your entry fee to the museum and ship.

Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea

Celebrating a birthday or special occasion? Visiting the Cutty Sark cafe is a great family day followed by a tasty afternoon tea for the whole family.

Afternoon tea includes:

A selection of finger sandwiches

A homemade traditional raisin scone, Devon clotted cream, and strawberry jam

A selection of mini cakes

A pot of English breakfast tea

Why not make it even more indulgent by enjoying a glass of Prosecco? Book online your afternoon tea at £27 per person. Please note this includes admission to the ship. Pre-booking is essential with a minimum of 72 hours in advance. See the Afternoon Tea menu here.

Exploring the Cutty Sark Greenwich is an unforgettable experience that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history and culture of maritime trade during the 19th century. The restored ship is a testament to the craftsmanship of sailors from centuries ago and provides a unique opportunity for tourists to step back in time and witness what life was like on board a sailing vessel. With its stunning architecture, extensive collection of artefacts, interactive exhibits, and breathtaking views of the Thames River, visiting the Cutty Sark is truly an adventure that should not be missed.

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