Embarking on the perilous sea journey between China and England during the 19th century, the Cutty Sark (rmg.co.uk) clipper boat was one of the fastest of its day, delivering 4.5 million kilograms of tea in seven years. Step inside the magnificent vessel, dry-docked in Greenwich, for exhibitions, props and the chance to climb the rigging.
The Decks
Walk below deck to see where cargo was stored and learn about the extreme living and working conditions for sailors. Sailors described the vessel as a "hellship" and a cursed vessel, as it took the lives of many sailors. The ship lost six men overboard, one to murder, one to suicide and two to illness, plus it lost five crew in Shanghai (three to cholera). See what they ate for dinner (salt pork and pea soup or potato pie were regulars – chased with lots of lime water) and see where sailors distracted themselves from the monotony of hours at sea, including at a makeshift theater below deck.
On the main deck, pigs and chickens would be kept in pens. Here, visitors can steer the huge wheel, which moved the 963-tonne boat through stormy weather, and enjoy gorgeous views across the River Thames.
Climb the Rigging
Make like the sailors did a century and a half ago with a hair-raising climb (adult/child £55/45) up the ratlines (rope ladders) to the "tops platform" of the grand ship, sitting around 23m up. Apprentices as young as 14 were tasked with shimmying up these terrifying rope ladders with bare feet and no safety harness, often when the boat was violently swinging at 20mph. Around 18 to 28 sailors on board the ship would be managing a colossal 11 miles of rigging and 32 sails.
Visitors can edge their way sideways across the lower topsail yard while standing on a single rope. Clip into the wire overhead and zoom down a zip line to the square below. If climbing the rigging, have someone at ground level outside the ship to take pictures.
The Hull
The lower level is the chance to walk beneath the Cutty Sark's colossal copper hull, offering a "fish-eye view" of the historic ship.
It was sheathed in this precious metal to stop barnacles and molluscs from penetrating the ship. At the far end of the hull (at the bow end) is a collection of more than 50 wooden figureheads, one of which would be fixed to the bow to bring a ship luck.
The "Cutty Sark" name was inspired by the Robert Burns poem Tam O'Shanter. A "Cutty Sark" is an old Scottish phrase for a short nightdress worn by one of the poem's characters, a young, attractive witch named Nannie. In 2021, the "Nannie" figurehead was installed on the bow of the Cutty Sark. She was inspired by drawings by Hercules Linton, the ship's original designer.
Fuel Up
Tuck into cakes, deli sandwiches or a full-tiered afternoon tea (adult/child £43.50/33.50) with finger sandwiches, scones and a view of the ship's vast copper hull at the Cutty Sark Cafe on the lower ground deck. Tip: table bookings include entry to the ship. This whole area is also bookable for private events, for the most spectacular setting for a party.