Cutty Sark with kids: Family day out in Greenwich
‘You absorb 2,000 years of history just by being near the Thames.’ I don’t normally quote Martin Freeman, but after stumbling across this in an interview with the actor, I can’t help but agree.
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At the heart of all of London’s history lies the river: from the founding of Londinium by the Romans at a point narrow enough to build a bridge but deep enough for ships, to royal barges and traitors all swept along to the Tower. It’s even in nursery rhymes.
So I love the chance to take a boat along the Thames, to soak it all in and landmark spot. But I realised my daughter was yet to have her first experience – so after waiting for the weather to perk up, I planned a day out to Greenwich to discover what there was at the Cutty Sark with kids.
Although I’ve been to Greenwich quite a few times, I’ve never visited the historic clipper ship myself – for years it was being restored, then I was busy with a small person and forgetting just what treasures are in my home city.
Even better, the sky was an incredible bright blue, the sun shining, perfect for enjoying the river. Hopping on at Embankment, we could see the London Eye, before cruising smoothly past St Paul’s, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge and out towards Canary Wharf and Greenwich itself.
All I needed was a slightly less contrary three-year-old. Having woken up in an argumentative frame of mind, she was in no mood to join in with my helpful explanations of everything from the fish weathervane on Fishmonger’s Hall and the shining gold Monument, the griffins at the city boundaries, announcing stubbornly that she couldn’t see any of them.
Pfft. In the end, I gave her her colouring and settled back to enjoy the view. And even the grumpiest of preschoolers found her bad mood was defeated by the Cutty Sark itself.
The world’s sole surviving tea clipper and fastest ship of her time, she’s one of the first things you see after disembarking at Greenwich.
Masts soaring up to the blue sky, the brightly coloured flags were flapping, and we could hardly wait to climb the stairs to the main deck. But first, several decks to investigate.
It’s all very cleverly designed so you enter by the coppered hull of the ship, looking sleek as it shines with the clipper towering above you.
The Lower Hold is all about the tea history, from the replica old crates decorating the floor, although there’s a fascinating list of just what else she transported.
More interesting for older visitors, we quickly headed up to the tween deck, where various items from the clipper’s history are on display – and there’s plenty of interactive fun.
Minnie made a beeline for the ship’s wheels, some of which are part of a game to sail around the world faster than the original: we never made it out of Australia before wrecking ourselves.
But there’s also a model ship which fascinated her, a piano (another of the Cutty Sark’s cargoes) which fascinated me, and a moving seat to make you feel exactly as if you’re on the waves.
I also spotted several other children clutching activity trails, something we hadn’t been offered, so it’s worth asking on entry.
Fortunately, the staff on board are as helpful as they are friendly and radioed down for someone to bring us one as we made our way to the Upper Deck, where the crew of between 19 and 30 lived and slept.
They’re a fun introduction, so I regret not having that to entertain Minnie from the start, but there’s so much to do, you’d be hard pressed to complete everything on the trail.
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We settled for reading the flags and spotting a string of items tucked away around the deck, from pigs to a man in the rigging and a carved monkey.
This, for Minnie, was the absolute highlight and we made at least half a dozen circuits of the deck as she’d suddenly sprint back to wave hello again.
Yet more lovely staff humoured her by lifting her up to see him and look through the nearby telescope, explain how the flat surface was used to collect drinking water, and give us helpful tips on how to find the pigs we were hunting for.
In return, she managed to work out which way to stand to turn the wheel and how to operate it (unlike a majority of adults, it seems).
And while the chance to wear a yellow rain hat and play with the ropes, so thick she couldn’t get her whole hand round them, tempted her away from the monkey, I was having serious doubts about being able to persuade her to leave.
Fortunately a sudden urgent loo break meant I could whisk her off (there are toilets by the lifts just off the upper deck) and head downstairs to look at the figureheads by the cafe, underneath the clipper.
I’d always assumed visiting the Cutty Sark would be something for older kids to enjoy, but with or without the activity trail, there’s loads for preschoolers to do, and plenty of places where everyone’s encouraged to get hands on.
With more quirky facts than I can remember, such as the ship travelling the equivalent of two and a half journeys to the moon and back (principally as it baffled Minnie, who wanted to know why the ship was sailing in the sky), you don’t need to have a deep interest in the Opium Wars or Victorian shipbuilding to appreciate it either.
The finishing touch? Minnie bounding in to pre-school the next day and excitedly announcing ‘I went on a BOAT yesterday’. We’ll fit the other 1900 years of history in another day.
Need to know: Visiting the Cutty Sark with kids
Tickets cost from £20 for adults and £10 for children if you buy online before you visit. Under-fives visit free. There are also family tickets available as well as day pass combined tickets to include some of the other Royal Museums Greenwich.
You can sometimes find combined tickets including entry and a river roamer on the Uber boat Thames Clippers if you’re planning to take the boat as we did.
The Cutty Sark is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.15pm. There are also some extended openings for school holidays as well as regular character events and toddler time on Wednesday mornings.
If you’d rather not come by boat, Greenwich also has a rail station and the Cutty Sark DLR. It’s worth noting that North Greenwich tube is not nearby!
For more tips on things to do in Greenwich with kids, check out my guide, as well as my top things to do along the Thames
PIN FOR LATER: CUTTY SARK WITH KIDS
Disclosure: My entry to the Cutty Sark was courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich for the purposes of review. All opinions and obstinate three-year-olds are my own. I paid for my own boat trip (because I like them). This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
Images copyright MummyTravels
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I’ve never been to Grenwich but this is a great idea to add to our plans for London in September. My daughter would quite like this I think! 🙂
I do love Greenwich – such a lovely place to wander but the Cutty Sark was really fun.
Amazing, I’ve never been aboard the Cutty Sark, we’ve probably walked past by it a lot of times. Would love to do this the next time we’re in London 🙂 Looks amazing!
It’s definitely worth a stop next time.
Thanks Cathy ! We are looking forward seeing the Cutty Sark next Friday for the Easter Egg Hunt, fingers crossed the sun is out ! It will be also interesting to see if I’ll make it there 40 weeks pregnant or they will have the youngest visitor onboard ever 🙂
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Enjoy! I can imagine the hunt will be very fun – and I hope the visitor hold off a little longer to enjoy it another time.
I have done a boat trip through London, but it wasn’t as grand as this. Never done the Cutty Sark before, one for the list next time we visit London x
Love the boat trips – just for the experience alone. The Cutty Sark is a great bonus at the end though.
We loved Greenwich when we went last summer. It’s so beautiful and there’s loads to do there. The Cutty Sark is done very well I think and there’s an awful lot to do there (Robert enjoyed trying out one of the bunks). We went on the boat and came back on the DLR which was also great fun!
It’s such a great place isn’t it – we usually do boat there and train back but it was too lovely a day to pass up the return voyage. I agree, a lot of thought has gone into the Cutty Sark and so much to try – I never thought of clambering into a bunk!
I have never even heard of the Cutty Sark ( I know that’s bad) it looks like you had a great day out. It reminds me of HMS Victory that I visited a few years ago xx
Very fun – and absolutely, if you enjoyed the Victory, I think the Cutty Sark has a lot to discover.
I’ve never a actually been on there either. It looks lovely. I think i’d enjoy all the stuff about the tea. All your pictures are fab. Looks like you all enjoyed it x
Thank you! We did have fun, definitely worth a look.
Sounds like a great place to learn a bit about life on a boat in the olden times. It looks massive!
It’s not small but it’s not as big as you think you might want for 30 people!
I have never been to visit the cutty sark but it is always somewhere I have wanted to visit. It is great to know that it is really child friendly too. Another place for our to do list when we are next in London #countrykids
It’s taken me a long time to get there but a really fun day out.
What a great day out filled with learning and fun, the renovation they’ve done on the Cutty Sark is great. Minnie looks like she had a great time exploring all there is to offer on board, it’s great that there’s so many interactive parts and an activity trail for the less interactive parts. You definitely picked the right day to visit with such beautiful weather allowing you to spend so much free time exploring the open areas. Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
It’s amazing what they’ve done, and I was impressed at how many different age groups it worked for. We were lucky, such a beautiful day.
I’ve done Greenwich and the boat ride but not Cutty Sark. looks nice! #the weekly postcard
I’m really glad we went back again – I’ve been to Greenwich so many times but have always missed visiting the Cutty Sark before.
That boat looks so interesting! I wish we can go. The details that you have posted and the parts are just amazing. My son is so into that and I think that by just being there would be awesome for him already.
Thanks for sharing.
#countrykids
The boat is fabulous – I would definitely so that if you get the chance.
I’ve heard somewhere else that the Cutty Sark is great for pre-schoolers. It’s definitely on my wish list of sights to see when we’re in London next month. When we visited Portsmouth Historic Dockyard at Christmas we had a quick look onboard HMS Warrior and Tin Box Tot loved it. Sadly we had the pushchair with us so Mr TB had to wait outside with Tin Box Baby. Note to self: always bring the sling! #countrykids
We’ve had some good boat experiences – this was great for young kids which I hadn’t realised until recently. Sling would be useful here too though you can get around it with lifts.
Popping by again from #citytripping 🙂
Thanks!
I love what they’ve done with the Cutty Sark. I’d been as a child and we revisited not long after it reopened, with my little boy. He’s was too young then to really appreciate so I know we’ll be back at some point in the next couple of years. #CountryKids
It’s wonderful isn’t it – I kept missing it as I visited Greenwich which it was being renovated but glad to be able to explore.
I went a few years ago and the Cutty Sark was a great experience for me especially since I was obsessed with ships at one point! Don’t ask me why but I am glad that you enjoyed it.
It’s certainly perfect if you are – and very fun if you’re just interested too 🙂
I really should go into London more, there is so much to see and do. Looks like a great day out #countrykids
This looks fab I completely forget the things which are practically on our door step (albeit a short train ride) I can imagine Monkey would love this so may well put this on the bucket list in the Summer once number 2 has made an arrival! Xx
A summer boat trip to Greenwich would be lovely – and all fairly baby – friendly I think. I suspect Monkey would have a lot of fun.
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never explored the Cutty Sark, I’d absolutely love to! I had hoped to go around Greenwich when hubby ran the London Marathon 2 years ago but I was 27 weeks pregnant and didn’t want to risk missing him at the next view point! I’m glad Minnie enjoyed herself in the end and your pictures look great!xx
Thanks! That’s definitely something you don’t want to miss even for the Cutty Sark – but if you find yourself there again, I hope you get to visit.
We visited the Cutty Sark back in the 80’s before the fire and the restoration. We had our two little toddlers along with us and they really enjoyed running around the wooden decks, in the hold, and all over the ropes. But they didn’t have any activities for them at that time. What a real treat now and the ship looks amazing as well.
I remember it being there and hearing so much about the restoration (and fire) but had never got closer than walking past. They have done a fabulous job.
Silly me didn’t realize that Cutty Sark Whiskey is named after an actual ship. This looks like a wonderful, family friendly outing. We’re headed to London this summer, so I’ve pinned it to my board.
Thanks for pinning – I do hope you get there. The ship itself is named after a poem (which I realised I could hardly remember when I visited) so I’m not sure whether the whiskey might be named for that? Still worth a visit though 🙂
I love wandering up the Thames and imagining what life was like through the ages…Minnie will get it one day, I’m sure. The Cutty Sark is on my list..the interactive elements sound impressive and being able to take the wheel- surely a winner. #citytripping
It really is the heart of the city, isn’t it. (And turning the wheel is her high point on any ship!)
I’ve heard of Cutty Sark and I’ve heard of Greenwich, but that’s about it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Well, hopefully this has tempted you!
The journey sounds almost as good as the destination. Liking the Chinese crates too.
#citytripping
🙂
Absolutely – I never say no to a trip on the river.
Lovely post. We adore Greenwich and are considering moving there! All because of these fantastic museums and spaces that cater for children of all ages.
That’s a real seal of approval! It’s a lovely setting too, very green plus the river, and just such a laid-back atmosphere I think. I never get tired of hopping across the prime meridian either (however childish that is 🙂 )
My sister is going to be studying this fall at London School of Economics this coming fall so I am really looking forward to being able to visit her there. i’m slowly making a list of places and things I want to see there.
There certainly are plenty – how fantastic to have a good excuse to come over.
A lovely read! I was amazed how much there was to do at the Cutty Sark for children of all ages when we visited a couple of months ago. We also took the boat there and back – by far the best way to travel! I was completely hopeless with the navigation game too, but my eldest was much better. #citytripping
Thank you! I was trying to remember where I’d read the blog post about someone visiting with kids, and I think it must have been yours – I’d always assumed it was one for older kids, but so much to do for littler ones. Even if neither of us can navigate 🙂
Oh how fabulous, I love the Cutty Sark. Looks like you had the most glorious day too. We lived in South London for years before moving to Surrey although I’ve not been to see the Cutty Sark for ages, must get back! Great post, Greenwich is ace 🙂
It was incredibly blue sky – the kind of day you just have to be outside. Thanks!
My dad had a big thing for the Cutty Sark – we had an unfinished model sitting around the house for decades…
How lovely! It’s quite incredible what it achieved, and the speed it sailed to and from Australia at that time too.
“Why was the boat sailing in the sky?” Hilarious!! What a beautiful day to be on the river! #citytripping
Yup! Her brain definitely works very differently 🙂
Looks fantastic – we’ve often walked past but never ventured inside – that’s the problem with London, there is SO much to do! I do like exploring ships though and think the cutty sark has been bumped up my list now. #citytripping
The downside of being spoiled for choice. If you do manage to go, Greenwich has a lovely market with some great food as well if you can combine with a day it’s on.
Days out with 3 year old are always tricky 🙂 I remember visiting Cutty Sark and the Greenwich observatory – great place for a day out! #citytripping
She does like to keep me on my toes!
I love that there is so much interactive stuff for the kids. Years back we boarded on the giant sailing boats as they stopped in Perth for a look. Whilst my son enjoyed standing at the helm and climbing about, there wasn’t anything to really interact with as they were working vessels.
With the Cutty Sark ship the kids can really explore and get the opportunity for some of the history to sink in.
#CityTripping
Absolutely – it’s exciting to be on board and explore, but kids (especially younger ones) aren’t going to get much more than that, or read through explanations, so it was great that she could get so hands on.
I have never actually thought of visiting Greenwich. Greenwich to me is just… Greenwich mean time? But I’m sure my boys would love the cutty shark! #CityTripping
I love Greenwich – it’s brilliant with kids too, and you can find the prime meridian where GMT is measured, as well as a few great museums as well.
Pardon my ignorance but I wasn’t aware the Cutty Sark was a real ship (I thought it was only a brand). The inside looks very interesting. What I like is that it can be enjoy by people from different ages with different interests. I am a history buff and I am sure I would have enjoy all the quirky facts. You daughter is still little but she had her own great moments aboard (like the monkey, that is very cute).
I think the ship is more famous in the UK, so I’d always been half aware of it but not all the details of it being the fastest clipper ship of its time for example. And definitely lots for all the different ages and interests.
We only live down the road, but I’ve never taken the kids on board the Cutty Sark. It’s a crime really! Like you I thought it might be better for older children, but it looks as though I’m wron. Will have to go there soon.
I was impressed by how good it was for younger kids as well – and ideal if you can pop there on a day when it’s not too busy too.
I must say on rather regret only starting to get acquainted with Greenwich before we left London because, as you say, you get the excuse of getting the boat down, you get the excuse of getting the boat down, you get thes excuse of getting the boat down, and, oh yeah, the actual museums and general area when you are there are definitely worthwhile too. I don’t think I’ve ever been to the Cutty Sark though, which is a shocking admission given that it looks really interesting. Clearly one for our revisits.
Haha – that is absolutely my approach. What excuse can I find to get the boat along the Thames? Although the Cutty Sark was a rather great one, even if we’d arrived by DLR. There are hidden pigs as well as the monkey, in case any animal fans need extra tempting (disclaimer: not real pigs)
We went last spring after I ran a 10k in Greenwich and my kids LOVED Cutty Sark. We’re hoping to get back there again when they do their pirate days thing for kids!
Those do sound really fun – and a perfect pirate setting.
Really loved Greenwich! It’s an ideal daytrip from London. We especially enjoyed standing on the Prime Meridian. I find the science behind the measurement of longitude and old time sea navigation fascinating. #citytripping
Isn’t it – and I agree, I find this all so fascinating too.
I laughed so hard when I read “I went on a boat today”, hahaha, so precious! Sounds like a fun day, I haven’t been to Greenwich on my visit to London, so I definitely want to go next time 🙂
I think you’d love Greenwich – lovely atmosphere and lots to do, however many boats are involved!
I loved visiting Greenwich Park when we lived in Kent but ever got round to visiting the Cutty Sark, partly because we didn’t think it was toddler friendly! Off to pin this to my UK bucket list as yet another place I need to try and get to see when I am next over.
I hope you do – I think a lot of people (myself included) would just assume it’s for adults/older kids, but such a fun day out.
We have yet to visit the Cutty Sark, although it’s been high on my list for a while now. It’s good to know that it’s okay for younger children – I just assumed Monkey wouldn’t be that fascinated but I reckon from your great post it would be fine! #citytripping
I think he’d have a great time, so much to do – shame there isn’t a boat the whole way along the river for you!