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CUTTY SARK-LONDON-UK

(Image credit- Bartholomeus Thoth, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

  • HISTORY

Cutty Sark is the world’s last surviving tea clipper which built to carry tea from China to London. Cutty Sark was built in 1869 in Dumbarton, Scotland. There was good price for fresh tea, so the product needed to be delivered as early as possible. It was the fastest ship at that time which had a speed of 20 miles an hour. There are three layers of structure.  On the outside are brass sheets which is attached to the wooden planks, which, then to an iron frame. Originally the ‘Muntz’ or ‘yellow was used instead of brass when it was on service. Cutty Sark is made from the finest quality wood. The upper layers of wood are East Indian Teak and the lower layers are American Rock Elm.

(Image credit- PICRYL | License details)

Cutty Sark (ship, 1869) - SLV H91.250-165 - PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Search

The clipper cutty sark in Sydney port 1869.

Facilities

  • Tickets: Tickets and prices.
  • Eat and drink

Underneath the ship’s copper hull on the lower ground deck of the ship a café is located where you can try deli combination sandwiches with classic British ingredients, cakes made fresh for you daily, cream teas, assorted snacks and children’s dishes, with many healthy options. Only Cutty Sark ticket-holders can have the entrance.

  • Accessibility:

Cutty Sark has accessible toilets, and our cafés and gift shops are wheelchair-accessible.

  •  Audio guide are also available to help you make the most of your visit.
  • Opening time: Open daily 10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm)
  • Getting there:

Trains and Underground services to Greenwich

The nearest rail stations are Greenwich and Maze Hill. Direct trains run to these stations from London Cannon Street and London Bridge.

If you are using the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will take you straight to Cutty Sark station. The DLR connects with other Underground lines at Bank, Tower Gateway and Stratford stations.

Bus services to Greenwich

The following buses stop near the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House: 129, 177, 180, 188, 286, 386 and N1. The following buses stop near Cutty Sark: 129, 177, 180, 188, 199 and 386.The following buses stop near the Royal Observatory Greenwich and Peter Harrison Planetarium: 53, 54, 202 and 380.

By river

The pier is situated right next to Cutty Sark and is a five-minute walk from the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House and a short walk up the hill to the Royal Observatory.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

The fastest and most frequent river transport services, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers depart from all major London piers every 20 minutes. Your journey time is 45 minutes from London Eye Pier, 25 minutes from London Bridge Pier or 20 minutes from Tower Pier

TIPS

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS

  • THE MAIN DECK

You can admire the pristine decks and rigging (The rigging typically includes masts and ropes), and get your hands on Cutty Sark’s famous ship’s wheel. A great team of woodworkers worked hard to restore its wheel when the ship opened in 1957. The original feature of the steering mechanism is well preserved on Cutty Sark. Compared to the earlier tiller designs this ingenious design taking up far less space within the ship which allowed more room for the cargo.

  • ENJOY THE VIEW

(Image credit- :Karen Roe from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

You get a beautiful and stunning views across the river Thames. You can spot some London landmarks at the skyline

  • CHECK OUT BENEATH THE SHIP

( Image credit- Karen Roe from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Cutty Sark was lifted over three metres (10 feet) from the ground level to preserve the shape of the hull and relieve the pressure on the keel. This allows the visitors to see and walk beneath the ship and allow the copper alloy sheathing. The innovative hull design with iron frame took significantly less space than the old version of wholly wooden hull. It made the ship stronger and spacious.

  • SEE THE CUTTY SARK FIGUREHEAD   ‘NANNIE’

(Image credit– :Christine Matthews / Cutty Sark Figurehead, Greenwich)

File:Cutty Sark Figurehead, Greenwich - geograph.org.uk - 663090.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Figureheads are decorative carved wooden sculptures that were considered as lucky charms and the spirit of the ship. The name ‘Nannie’ comes from Tam O’Shanter, a poem by Robert Burns. The poem tells the story of Tam the farmer, who encounters a group of witches in Alloway Kirk – including the beautiful witch, Nannie. The ship is named after her dress. Cutty sark means ‘short nightdress, in Scottish.

  • VISIT THE CABINS

You will get a chance to see the cabin where the crew lived and slept.

Cutty-sark - PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Image

  • MEET THE CUTTY SARK CHARACTERS

This family fun happens on weekends and Fri-Mon in school holidays | 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm. Prices Included with entry to Cutty Sark.

  • VISIT FIGUREHEADS

There is huge collection of Merchant Navy ship figureheads in the world which include Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth Fry, Benjamin Disraeli and Sir Lancelot. Most of these figureheads are only the remaining of the ships which are long gone.

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