National Maritime Museum
nelson's coat, for nothing
Britain's seafaring story told for free in Greenwich, from Nelson's actual Trafalgar coat to hands-on galleries, a short walk from the park and the meridian.
Free to visit · Greenwich · Cutty Sark (DLR) · SE10 9NF
Opening: Daily 10am–5pm
The National Maritime Museum is the biggest of its kind in the world and, like the rest of maritime Greenwich, the main galleries are free. It is the nation's memory of the sea, told through ships, maps, figureheads and the lives of the people who sailed.
The object everyone comes for is small and quiet. Nelson's coat, the actual uniform he was wearing when he was shot at Trafalgar, bullet hole and all, sits in a case upstairs. Around it are galleries on exploration, empire, trade and the often hard truths behind Britain's relationship with the ocean.
It is a brilliant one with kids, with hands-on bits and big open halls, and it sits in a row of free Greenwich sights. Combine it with a climb up Greenwich Park to the Observatory hill and you have a whole free day out by the river.
Getting there: A short walk from Cutty Sark on the DLR, or take the river boat down to Greenwich Pier and walk up.
Best time to go: A weekday, or pair it with Greenwich Park on a clear day so you get the museum and the famous river view in one trip.
Insider tip: Do it as a loop with Greenwich Park. Museum first while legs are fresh, then walk up the hill behind it to the Observatory viewpoint for that free postcard view down the Thames to Canary Wharf. Both are free and two minutes apart.
Official site: https://www.rmg.co.uk
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide