The Cutty Sark is a maritime icon here in London. The 19th-century vessel, which sits by the Thames in Greenwich, was the fastest ship of its time, and is now the world’s sole surviving tea clipper.
While you may have explored the ship by walking along the deck, or standing beneath the raised copper hull, there’s also an utterly unique – and rather thrilling – alternative way to explore this award-winning tourist attraction. Are you brave enough to scale its rigs and 42-metre mast?!
What exactly is the Cutty Sark Rig Climb?
Channel your inner sailor: the Cutty Sark Rig Climb will give you a real taste of life out at sea. Have a go at climbing some of the ship’s eleven-plus miles worth of rigging, just like the crew would have done in the late 1800s. Well, almost as they would have done; you’ll have the 21st-century benefit of being strapped up with safety gear, as you scale the historic vessel.
The climb will start with a safety briefing beneath the copper hull, before you’re taken to the Main Deck, and start your climb up the ship’s ‘ratlines’ (rope ladders). It’s a great opportunity to learn captivating information about the ship’s past, and the crew’s life onboard. As you walk in the footsteps of hundreds of sailors before you, you’ll eventually reach the platform, where you can stop and take in the views of London. It’ll then be back down to the deck via the footrope of the Lower Topsail Yard.
The climb will be personalised to the individual climber’s capabilities, and while it is suggested visitors allow around an hour for their climb, you can take it completely at your own pace.
Do you have to book tickets for the Cutty Sark Rig Climb?
Yes, you must book tickets to do the rig climb at the Cutty Sark – you can find tickets here. Children, and young people aged under 25 years old, benefit from reduced ticket prices.
Tickets also include general admission to explore the rest of the Cutty Sark on the day of your climb, so you can learn more about this historic ship, as well as have a nosy in the crew’s cabins, and enjoy the waterside London views.
Who can do the rig climb?
All climbers must be at least 1.2 metres tall and weigh less than 21 stone.
If you’re looking for things to do with kids this summer, the Cutty Sark Rig Climb is an option for your adventurous little ones aged 10 and above. Anyone under 18 will require parental consent and at least one paying adult to accompany them.
When is the Cutty Sark rig climb open?
While the Cutty Sark is open to visitors daily, the rig climb is only open every weekend until the end of October 2024. Don’t miss your chance to have a go – secure your tickets today.
📍Cutty Sark, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT