Covering the nation's maritime history, both in peacetime and war, The National Maritime Museum (NMM) is an interesting place to visit for adults and children. Opened by King George VI on 27 April 1937, in what was formally The Royal Hospital School, each of the museum's galleries are arranged thematically. As well as exhibits on seafaring characters and historical events, there's background on different types of sailing ships both old and new
Covering the nation's maritime history, both in peacetime and war, The National Maritime Museum (NMM) is an interesting place to visit for adults and children. Opened by King George VI on 27 April 1937, in what was formally The Royal Hospital School, each of the museum's galleries are arranged thematically. As well as exhibits on seafaring characters and historical events, there's background on different types of sailing ships both old and new. Set out on three separate levels, the floor plan of the museum is, level by level:
Level 1: Explorers - traces the history of exploration on the high seas, including the Vikings (who not only raided nearby lands, but sailed uncharted seas), and the Polynesians who migrated to islands within the central Pacific using double-hulled canoes. The galleries also give an overview of the voyages undertaken by the great European explorers including Columbus, Magellan, Drake and Cook.
Level 1: Passengers - documenting the history of passenger travel by sea, the exhibition explores the reasons for migrants fleeing by ship from Europe to 'New World' America, as well as looking at famous ocean liners operated by Cunard, P & O and the White Star Line. Level 1: Maritime London - looks at the vessels used to transport raw materials across the high seas, including exhibits on giant oil tankers, container ships and roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) ferries.
Level 2: Trade and Empire/Art and the Sea - exploring the relationship between art and the development of trade, sea travel and military expansion in Europe, the Museum's gallery is among the largest maritime collections in the world. A second gallery devoted to Trade, explores the legacy of the British Empire, with works depicting the slave trade and the shipment of goods such as tea from China.
Level 3: Hands-on children’s galleries - very much a set of children's galleries, the interactive displays allow youngsters to practice all kinds of skills including steering, gunnery, signalling and navigation.
Check the good website on www.nmm.ac.uk