Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
Khelly
Olga
+1 more
Justin
Chuma
Misti
Stephen
Valeria
Catherine
The Royal Yacht Britannia holds a significant place in British maritime history as the former royal yacht of the United Kingdom. The yacht stands as a testament to the connection between the British monarchy and maritime traditions, and its legacy continues to be preserved through its role as a museum and tourist attraction, visited by over 300,000 people each year.
Britannia played a central role in hosting state banquets, receptions, diplomatic functions, and even royal honeymoons. You can learn about the yacht's involvement in historical events and its importance in representing British prestige.
The yacht served as the floating residence for the British royal family for over four decades. Exploring Britannia provides insight into the private lives of the royals, including Queen Elizabeth II’s bedroom, and their travels around the world on 968 state visits.
Designed by Sir Hugh Casson, the Royal Yacht Britannia is a masterpiece of naval architecture and interior design. Admire the elegant and luxurious features, including the State Apartments and furniture from the old Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert.
The Royal Yacht Britannia serves as a living museum, preserving and showcasing a significant part of British maritime history. Gain a deeper understanding of the monarchy's connection to maritime traditions, including how it sailed over a million nautical miles.
The yacht features various exhibitions with displays, artifacts, and multimedia presentations spread across five decks, providing an overview of the yacht’s history and role in the royal and diplomatic spheres.
From the bridge at the Royal Yacht Britannia, you can see the navigational center of the yacht and learn about its operations.
Marvel at the State Apartments, including the Queen's and Prince Philip's bedrooms and the elegant State Drawing Room that served as a reception room for 250 guests.
Visit the Sun Lounge, Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite room, where she enjoyed breakfast and afternoon tea with panoramic views.
Discover the bedrooms of other members of the royal family, which provide a glimpse into their private spaces aboard the yacht.
Delve into the heart of the yacht by exploring the Engine Room, which showcases the technical aspects of the Royal Yacht Britannia's propulsion.
Explore the largest and grandest room on board, where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip entertained powerful figures like Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Margaret Thatcher.
See where the Admiral worked, entertained, and often ate during his time on board. In charge of the Britannia’s operations, the Admiral also had 19 Officers and 220 Yachtsmen working for him.
Explore the NAAFI shop which was stocked with everything the Officers and Yachtsman might need - from toothpaste to Britannia souvenirs.
In contrast to the regal State Apartments, see the living quarters where the crew, referred to as Royal Yachtsmen, were cramped in alongside operational equipment.
Enjoy waterfront views as you indulge in scones, sandwiches, and specialty teas in the same spot where the royal family played deck games.
See where the royal family sunbathed, played games of quoits or deck hockey, or swam in the collapsible swimming pool. Prince Philip also painted here.
Be it the Royal Sailing Exhibition or the Royal Yachts Exhibition, see exhibitions showcasing photographs and memorabilia that outline the yacht’s legacy.
Note: Last admission on Dec 24 is 2:30pm.
Closed: Jan 1 and Dec 25
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Royal Yacht Britannia is during the spring or early autumn. During this time, the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller and you’ll have to wait less to visit the yacht.
Address: Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, United Kingdom | Find on Maps
The entrance to the tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia is on the Ground Floor of the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre.
On Royal Yacht Britannia:
On Fingal:
Over the past 25 years, Britannia has been featured in many TV series, documentaries, and weather and news segments. You can spot the Britannia on episodes of both Downton Abbey (when the family sails to the Dowager Countess of Grantham’s inherited villa in the South of France) and season 2 of The Crown.
Edinburgh Castle is 5.1 km from Royal Yacht Britannia. Perched on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks and offers stunning views of the city.
Just 3.8 km from Royal Yacht Britannia is the famous Palace of Holyroodhouse. The palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland and is located at the end of the Royal Mile.
Explore the world of Scotch whisky with interactive exhibits and tastings at The Scotch Whisky Experience. The Scotch Whiskey Experience is located 5 km from Royal Yacht Britannia.
You can enjoy cheaper ticket rates online as compared to offline purchases of tickets. Irrespective of the tourist season, you are guaranteed entry to the attraction on the day of your visit if you have booked your tickets online. You can book tickets for the attraction from pretty much anywhere, thus making online booking easy and convenient.
It will take you around 2 hours to complete a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia. However, allot more time if you want to enjoy afternoon tea at the Royal Deck Tearoom. You are welcome to stay however long you like onboard.
All the clocks on board remain stopped at 3:01pm to mark the exact time Queen Elizabeth II was piped ashore for the final time during the decommissioning ceremony.
You can still visit, as long as you arrive within our opening hours. The team at the ticket desk will let you on board as soon as possible on your arrival.
A day on Britannia for Queen Elizabeth II would begin at 7:30am. She would have breakfast in the Sun Lounge at 8:30am. At 9:15am, she would commence official duties with her private secretary in the Sitting Room. The queen and the royal family dined in the State Dining Room at 1pm, and afternoon tea was served in the Sun Lounge at 5pm. The rest of the day would be taken up to discuss dress and jewelry requirements for drinks with the Captain in the State Drawing Room Anteroom followed by dinner at 8pm in the State Dining Room. At 9:30, the royal family would retire to the Drawing Room for coffee, drinks, games, films, or even a spin on the piano. The Queen retires to bed at 11pm, and as per custom, no one goes to bed until the monarch does.
Yes, private guided tours are available that allow you to access areas that are otherwise restricted to the public. Enter through the Royal Brow, the official entrance previously reserved for the royal family, and get exclusive access to the Admiral’s Cabin and the State Apartments, including the State Dining Room, on a private morning tour.
Yes, you can rent the space for birthday parties, anniversaries, corporate events, or incentive events. The State Dining Room, Officers’ Wardroom, and the Royal Deck are available for drinks receptions or private dining events.
