About

Enjoy a royal day out in Greenwich this coronation bank holiday weekend, and discover a place that's been home to royalty for more than 500 years.

The National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House are hosting a series of free events marking the coronation of King Charles III, including royal-themed tours, picnics on the lawns and fun family workshops.

Free tours and talks will run throughout the long weekend in the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House. There will also be an opportunity to step back in time to the reign of Charles II and meet a 17th-century astronomer, cartographer and rope-maker.

On Monday, Sea Cadets in Greenwich will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘World’s Largest Boatswain’s Call Lesson’. Sea Cadet units across the country will be taking up the challenge, with hundreds of cadets set to gather on the lawns outside the Queen’s House. Will they set a new record? Come to Greenwich to find out!

All activities are FREE. You can book Museum tickets in advance to guarantee entry, or simply turn up on the day and join the celebrations.

Book your FREE ticket now!

Below find highlights of the day:

Friday 5th May
Talk: The Early History of the National Maritime Museum
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm 
The National Maritime Museum was opened by the King’s grandfather, George VI, two weeks before his own coronation. He was accompanied by the 11-year old Princess Elizabeth, one of her earliest official engagements as heir to the throne. Join this 15 minute talk to learn more about the first few years of the National Maritime Museum’s history.

Saturday 6th May
Workshop: Royal Drawing
Venue: Queen's House
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-4:00pm 
Join a drop-in drawing workshop, focusing on the royal portraiture in the Queen’s House, including Queen Anne in her coronation robes.

Talk: Queen Consorts
Venue: Queen’s House
The Queen’s House was built for Anne of Denmark, Queen Consort to James I, and Henrietta Maria, Queen Consort to Charles I. Learn about these and other Queen Consorts, including Queen Camilla, in these 20-minute talks.

Talk: Royal Gallery Favourites
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: 11:00am and 1:00pm 
Learn about royal-related objects in 15-minute talks across the National Maritime Museum.

Talk: The Early History of the National Maritime Museum
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: 3:00pm 
Join this 15 minute talk to learn more about the first few years of the National Maritime Museum’s history.

Sunday 7th May
Workshop: Step into the 17th Century
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: All day 
Step back in time to the world of Charles II with three 17th century visitors. An astronomer, cartographer and ropemaker will share the knowledge and traditions of the 1600s, hosting a series of demonstrations in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum.

Workshop: Kids’ Trails and Crown Making
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: All day 
Learn more about the royal history of Greenwich and make your own crowns in this free craft workshop.

Workshop: Royal Drawing
Venue: Queen's House
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-4:00pm
Join a drop-in drawing workshop, focusing on the royal portraiture in the Queen’s House, including Queen Anne in her coronation robes.

Talk: The Court of Henrietta Maria
Venue: Queen’s House
The Queen’s House was completed between 1629 and 1638 for the Queen Consort of Charles I, Henrietta Maria. Learn more about Henrietta Maria’s court, her role as a patron of the arts and her relationship with the Queen’s House.

Talk: Queen Consorts
Venue: Queen’s House
The Queen’s House was built for Anne of Denmark, Queen Consort to James I, and Henrietta Maria, Queen Consort to Charles I. Learn about these and other Queen Consorts, including Queen Camilla, in these 20-minute talks.

Talk: Royal Gallery Favourites
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: 11:00am and 1:00pm 
Learn about royal-related objects in 15-minute talks across the National Maritime Museum.

Monday 8th May
Sea Cadets Guinness World Record
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: 3:30-4:00pm 
The Sea Cadets will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for ‘World’s Largest Boatswain’s Call Lesson’, with between 250 and 300 cadets whistling together on the lawns outside the National Maritime Museum.

Workshop: Royal Drawing
Venue: Queen's House
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-4:00pm 
Join a drop-in drawing workshop, focusing on the royal portraiture in the Queen’s House, including Queen Anne in her coronation robes.

Talk: Charles II and the Van de Veldes
Venue: Queen’s House
In 1676, Charles II granted a studio in the Queen’s House to renowned Dutch artists Willem van de Velde the Elder and his son, Willem van de Velde the Younger. Discover how the King’s support influenced their work in England.

Talk: The Court of Henrietta Maria
Venue: Queen’s House
The Queen’s House was completed between 1629 and 1638 for the Queen Consort of Charles I, Henrietta Maria. Learn more about Henrietta Maria’s court, her role as a patron of the arts and her relationship with the Queen’s House.

Talk: Royal Gallery Favourites
Venue: National Maritime Museum
Time: 11:00am and 1:00pm 
Learn about royal-related objects in 15-minute talks across the National Maritime Museum.

* All talks and workshops are free and suitable for all ages.