The UK has a rich maritime history, and across the country, you can find beautifully preserved ships that tell the story of exploration, war, trade, and innovation. From the world’s first iron-hulled steamship to legendary naval warships, here are some of the best places in the UK to see old boats like the SS Great Britain and experience maritime history firsthand.
1. SS Great Britain – Bristol
Designed by the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain was the first iron-hulled, propeller-driven ocean liner. Now fully restored in Bristol’s Great Western Dockyard, visitors can explore its decks, engine room, and the immersive Being Brunel Museum.
📍 Location: Bristol
2. HMS Victory – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
The HMS Victory, best known as Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), is one of the most famous warships in the world. Visitors can walk its decks, explore the captain’s quarters, and see where Nelson spent his final moments.
📍 Location: Portsmouth
3. Cutty Sark – Greenwich, London
A legendary tea clipper, the Cutty Sark was one of the fastest sailing ships of the 19th century. Today, it is beautifully restored in Greenwich, where visitors can walk beneath its suspended hull and learn about its incredible journeys across the world.
📍 Location: London
4. The Mary Rose – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
The Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s warship, sank in 1545 and was spectacularly recovered in 1982. The interactive Mary Rose Museum showcases thousands of artifacts from the wreck and provides a unique glimpse into Tudor naval warfare.
📍 Location: Portsmouth
5. RRS Discovery – Dundee
The RRS Discovery was the ship that took Captain Scott and his crew to Antarctica in 1901. Now docked in Dundee, it serves as a fascinating museum where visitors can learn about Scott’s ill-fated expedition and early polar exploration.
📍 Location: Dundee
6. HMS Belfast – London
This WWII Royal Navy warship is permanently moored on the River Thames. Visitors can explore its decks, gun turrets, and operations rooms while learning about its role in the D-Day landings and Arctic convoys.
📍 Location: London
7. The Tall Ship Glenlee – Glasgow
The Glenlee is one of only a few remaining Clyde-built sailing ships, now docked at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. Visitors can explore its decks and learn about its life as a merchant and training ship.
📍 Location: Glasgow
8. HMS Caroline – Belfast
A veteran of World War I, the HMS Caroline is the only surviving warship from the Battle of Jutland (1916). Now restored in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, it offers interactive exhibits and a look at life on board a wartime cruiser.
📍 Location: Belfast
9. The Historic Dockyard Chatham
This living maritime museum is home to several historic ships, including the HMS Gannet, a Victorian Royal Navy sloop, and the HMS Ocelot, a Cold War-era submarine. The dockyard also features original rope-making and shipbuilding facilities.
📍 Location: Chatham, Kent
10. SS Nomadic – Belfast
The SS Nomadic was the tender ship that carried first-class passengers to the Titanic in 1912. Now restored and docked in Belfast, it provides a fascinating connection to the Titanic story and White Star Line’s luxurious ocean liners.
📍 Location: Belfast
Final Thoughts
From legendary warships to record-breaking sailing ships, the UK is home to some of the world’s most fascinating maritime treasures. Whether you’re exploring the grand decks of the HMS Victory, stepping aboard the pioneering SS Great Britain, or learning about polar exploration on the RRS Discovery, these historic vessels offer a unique glimpse into Britain’s naval and maritime legacy. Perfect for history buffs, families, and sea lovers alike, these sites make for unforgettable historical days out.