The Cutty Sark: All You Need to Know Before You Visit
Located a little way out of the city centre, Greenwich is one of the most beautiful areas of London. It’s home to many fun tourist attractions such as the Maritime Museum, Greenwich University, Greenwich Park and, most notably, The Cutty Sark.
But what is the Cutty Sark? Where is it in London? When was the Cutty Sark built?
Keep reading for all you need to know about visiting the Cutty Sark.
Cutty Sark History
The Cutty Sark is moored in Greenwich and celebrated her 150th birthday in 2019. She was built in 1869 in Scotland and is the most famous tea clipper ever built. In her heyday, she sailed to countries far and wide, such as China and Australia, bringing tea to British shores.
She first set off from London in 1870 and was bound for Shanghai with lots of alcohol on board. When she returned later that year, she was carrying 1.3 million pounds of tea! The Cutty Sark would make eight such journeys in her lifetime before retiring from the tea trade in 1877.
She wasn’t in the tea trade for too long, as the opening of the Suez Canal meant that steamships now had a shorter route to China. From then on, the Cutty Sark had to find other cargo to transport, such as wool from Australia.
It was on these voyages that she became known as the fastest ship, as she would complete the journey from Australia almost a month quicker than the other ships!
However, with the advent of steamships, the Cutty Sark began to make less money from the wool trade. In 1895, she was sold to a Portuguese company and renamed Ferreira.
Keep reading to find out how she made her way back to London today!
Visiting The Cutty Sark Today
So how did the Cutty Sark go from being (the fastest clipper of her time) to one of Greenwich’s top tourist attractions?
In the 1920s, a retired navy captain recognised the Ferreira in Falmouth Harbour as the old Cutty Sark and decided to buy her. He paid £3,750, which was about 10 times what she was actually worth!
She was used as a cadet training ship for a number of years before being given to the Cutty Sark Preservation Society in 1953. This is when they built the dock for her at Greenwich and is where she still resides today!
She used to sit in a dry dock, and you could see the hull outdoors; however, after the Cutty Sark fire, the museum underwent a huge restoration project, and that’s when the beautiful domed class chamber I have already mentioned was built.
Now, from the outside, the ship does look a little like a spaceship cum actual ship since it looks like it is floating above a glass prism. It’s the modern-day Cutty Sark!
Your ticket will buy you entry aboard the ship so you can explore the museum and admire the deck of the ship. You’ll first go inside the ship and learn all about its history, starting with the tea trade. There’s lots of interactive info and sensory experiences from films to audio snippets and more. If you want, you can pick up a free audio guide to listen to as you walk around.
When you’ve finished exploring the old artefacts inside, you can head out onto the sunny deck and imagine what working aboard this beautiful ship may have been like. They may even be costumed characters wandering around on board for you to speak to!
You can poke your head into the crew’s old chambers, take a picture of yourself behind the wheel of the ship (a must) and then wander through the captain’s (much nicer!) quarters.
There are stunning views of Canary Wharf to one side of the ship and the town of Greenwich to the other.
Then you’ll head down to see the hull of the Cutty Sark in a magnificent chamber with a glass ceiling. You can even enjoy a spot of afternoon tea here now – more on that later!
You’ll finish off in the Cutty Sark’s gift shop, where you can take home some Cutty Sark commemorative tea or a small Cutty Sark model – sails and all.
Cutty Sark Meaning
“Cutty Sark” had a slightly less majestic meaning in old Scots, which was a short undergarment. This was also the nickname given to a witch called Nannie Dee, who features in Robert Burns Tam o ‘Shanter, and it’s after this witch that the Cutty Sark ship is named!
A Nannie Dee figurehead used to lead the Cutty Sark through the seas, but now she can be in the chamber underneath the hull, in the Long John Silver figurehead gallery. This is the largest collection of Navy figureheads in the world!
Nannie Dee is the topmost figurehead, and she has one arm reaching out, clutching a horse’s tail. Strange, right?
It’s all part of Robert Burns story where Tam and his horse are galloping furiously away from the Devil, and they just about get away… save for the poor mare’s tail!
Now, wha this tale o’ truth shall read,
Tam o’Shanter by Robert Burns
Ilk man and mother’s son, take heed:
Whene’er to Drink you are inclin’d,
Or Cutty-sarks rin in your mind,
Think ye may buy the joys o’er dear;
Remember Tam o’ Shanter’s mare
Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea
Since the Cutty Sark was first built to transport tea back to England, it seems apt that you can now enjoy a very British afternoon tea in the Cutty Sark Cafe. The cafe is located underneath her copper-plated hull in a unique hall with a stunning glass roof.
As you’d expect, you’ll enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches: salmon, cucumber, egg and ham. Then there’s a layer of sweet treats and mini cakes. To finish off, of course, there are homemade traditional raisin scones with Devon clotted cream and strawberry jam. NB, in Devon, they spread the cream on and then dollop on the jam. This is the right way to do things!
You’ll also get a pot of English breakfast tea, and the crockery that the tea and milk are served in is absolutely stunning.
The afternoon tea costs £47 per adult, and this also includes entry to the Cutty Sark, which is usually £22.
Find out more and buy tickets to afternoon tea aboard the Cutty Sark here.
Fun Facts about the Cutty Sark
Captain Richard Woodget learned to ride a bike on board. He’d always wanted to learn so he took his bike with him when they set sail! The man was a go-getter and it wasn’t enough to be captain of the fastest ship.
He also kept some Border Collies on board, and these were the first dogs of this breed to ever set paw onto Australia!
There was a three-year period when no one wanted to work on her because of murdered / drunk captains and people dying of sickness. When one crew member murdered another, and the captain helped him escape, the ship was thrown into turmoil. The crew were angry, and Captain Wallace realised his time as captain was definitely at a close so he jumped overboard. Drama!
A number of live animals were kept on board the ship, including pigs and chickens.
Useful Information
Cutty Sark Tickets
Adult: £22
Check availability for Cutty Sark tickets online here.
Where is the Cutty Sark?
The Cutty Sark is in Greenwich, south London. The closest public transport stop is the The Cutty Sark (for Maritime Greenwich) DLR stop. The entrance to the boat can be found just behind The Gipsy Moth pub.
Address:
King William Walk
London SE10 9HT
Opening Hours
10am – 5pm every day
This post is sponsored by Royal Greenwich Museums. As always, all opinions are my own.
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I may be a little biased as I live in the lovely borough of Royal Greenwich, but you’re right: it is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in London! Thanks for this great review. The Cutty Sark is definitely a must-see attraction :-)