royal yacht britannia how long to visit

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The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pre-book tickets? 

We strongly recommend pre-booking tickets online to guarantee admission.

How are the tickets sent?

Tickets will be e-mailed to the e-mail address providing during ticket purchase. This e-mail can be shown on your phone/tablet or printed out. 

How can I pay for tickets?

You can pre-book tickets online or your can pay via card or contactless at the ticket desk on arrival. Please note that we do not currently accept cash. 

Can I pre-book with my vouchers?

It is not possible or necessary to pre-book with Britannia Gift Vouchers/Virgin Experience Days/Leisure vouchers. Please follow the instructions on your voucher and then bring your vouchers with you on the day and our team at the ticket desk will process your admission.

Do you offer military discount? 

Yes, we offer a   rate of £10. These discounted tickets are only available at the ticket desk. Please be reassured, even though it is not possible to book these discounted tickets in advance, you will still be able to buy your tickets and visit on the day.

Do you offer NHS discount?

How do I get to Britannia?

Click here for directions . 

When does the Yacht close and how long do I have after last admission?  

Our tickets are sold by arrival times and once you are on board you can stay as long as you wish within our opening hours. We close 2 hours after the last admission. 

Ocean Terminal is currently undergoing redevelopment, adding new leisure and retail businesses, as well as residential spaces. As part of this redevelopment, Britannia will also be gaining a  new Visitor Centre and Gift Shop  which will involve us operating out of temporary accommodation whilst these new facilities are being created. Our entrance and Gift Shop are currently on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. 

* The last admission to the Royal Yacht on 24 December is 2:30pm.  The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 25 December  and  1 January. 

Can I change my date/time slot if I can no longer make it?  

Yes,  please  contact us on 0131 555 5566 or email  enquiries@tryb .co.uk , Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00.

Can I get a refund?

Bookings can be moved free of charge. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before your visit. To request a refund please e-mail [email protected] with your order reference.

I pre-booked my ticket but I'm running late, can I still visit?   

You can still visit, as long as you arrive within our opening hours. Our team at the ticket desk will let you on board as soon as possible on your arrival.

Can I leave luggage somewhere whilst I visit?

Due to operating out of temporary accommodation for our entrance, we are currently unable to store luggage.

How do I listen to your audio guide as I tour Britannia? 

Tours are self - guided and include an audio tour available on your mobile or an audio handset which is included in the  price of admission.  If possible, please bring your own headphones for use with your mobile phone. However if you are unable to do so, we do have headphones available on request from our handsets desk.   

Is Britannia accessible? 

Britannia is highly accessible via two central lifts. For further information please see  our   accessibility page  where you can find our  access statement .  

Please note, should you visit with someone acting in a carer capacity, they will receive free admission to Britannia. This ticket is only available on the day from the ticket desk on the ground floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre. It is not necessary or possible to book this in advance, however please be reassured that they will be able to visit with you on the day. 

Is there a dress code to visit?

There is no formal dress code to visit however due the nature of the decks on board the ship, please wear sensible shoes, no high heels. Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing for touring the five decks.

Will the Royal Deck Tearoom, NAAFI and Gift Shop be open? 

Yes, our Tearoom, Gift Shop and  NAAFI will be open. 

Will there be facilities and catering? 

Yes,  all of  our toilets and  the  Royal Deck Tearoom will be open. 

Can I pre-book a table in the Royal Deck Tearoom? 

No, as tables are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you must purchase a Britannia admission ticket or be an Annual Pass holder to visit the Royal Deck Tearoom.

Can I pre-book with my Annual Pass? 

Annual Pass holders do not need to pre-book, just come along at your chosen date/time within our admission hours and show your pass at the entrance on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal.

Is there parking? 

Visitors to Britannia should use the Ocean Terminal car park. Parking is free. There are accessible parking spaces and dedicated parent and child parking bays available.  

Is there motorhome parking available? 

There is no allocated motorhome parking. Car parking is free in the multi-story car park. There are however, frequent bus and tram  services to Ocean Terminal.  

How long is a typical tour of Britannia? 

We recommend you allow 2 hours for your visit. Please allow longer if you wish to visit our stunning  Royal Deck Tearoom .  

Can I bring my dog on board? 

We welcome guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs. It is not possible to bring other dogs into Ocean Terminal or on board Britannia.  

Can I take photographs on board? 

You are welcome to take photographs on board. There are some great photo opportunities, especially on the outer decks.  

Does Britannia have hotel accommodation? 

There is no hotel accommodation on The Royal Yacht Britannia. Our sister ship,  Fingal Hotel , offers 22 luxurious cabins, inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime heritage and named after Stevenson Lighthouses. Fingal Hotel is now permanently berthed just moments away from Britannia in the historic Port of Leith. Open to both overnight guests and non-residents, treat yourself to an unforgettable experience in  The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar , serving  Afternoon Tea , dinner   and spectacular  cocktails .  

I am an international traveller, can I visit following Brexit?

See advice for international visitors from national tourism agency VisitScotland here . 

Do you have a risk assessment?

Yes, you can see our risk assessment here .

Last updated: September 2024

Visiting Britannia

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 - 2024

PLEASE PRE-BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO GUARANTEE ADMISSION Start your tour at our entrance, currently located on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. Please note that tickets purchased in person are by card/contactless only. 

Click on the Visit page  for more information before you visit.

Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!

Fingal Hotel

Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal.  Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea. 

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK LUXURY HOTEL TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK SMALL & BOUTIQUE HOTEL AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

How Long To Visit Royal Yacht Britannia?

Table of Contents:

The Royal Yacht Britannia, launched in 1953 in Scotland, has served the Royal Family on 968 official voyages, traveling over one million miles. It is recommended to allow 2 hours for a typical tour, with an additional 1.5-2 hours for the Royal Deck Tearoom. The tour typically lasts about an hour and a half, with additional time for the Royal Deck Tea Room.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 1 January and 25 December, and the last admission on 24 December is 2:30pm. The Royal Edinburgh ticket for 48 hours includes multiple HOHO buses, the Castle, Britannia, and Holyrood House. The best time to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia is during the spring or early autumn, as the weather is pleasant and crowds are less.

The Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia is available for 7 hours and 30 minutes, with free cancellation. Experience Tripadvisors’ Best UK Attraction 2023 and follow in the footsteps of royalty with a fascinating audio tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia.

📹 A TOUR OF THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA

Join me for a private tour of the late Queen’s favourite home – The Royal Yacht Britannia. Go beyond the ropes for a look inside the …

Do you need to book to see the Royal Yacht in Britannia?

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission. Start your tour at our entrance on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. A great day out for all the family, explore each of the five decks at this top attraction in Edinburgh and discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating palace.

Visiting Britannia. TRIPADVISOR’S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 – 2024.

PLEASE PRE-BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO GUARANTEE ADMISSION.

Start your tour at our entrance, currently located on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. Please note that tickets purchased in person are by card/contactless only.

Who owns the Britannia?

Britannia is owned and cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust.

The Trust. Britannia is owned and cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. Britannia is part of the Core Collection of the National Register of Historic Vessels, the official register of the most important British ships in existence.

As befits its charitable objectives, the Trust’s principal activity is to encourage as many people as possible to visit Britannia, in order to learn more about this iconic vessel and the ambassadorial role she undertook throughout the world. Since opening to the public on 19 October 1998, Britannia normally attracts between 350,000 and 400,000 visitors per annum, usually making it one of Scotland’s top 10 paid admission visitor attractions. Since first joining our national tourist board’s quality assurance scheme, VisitScotland has graded us in the 5 Star ‘World Class’ category. In addition, for 13 years Britannia received the highest quality mark awarded that year by VisitScotland, making it Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction. The Royal Yacht Britannia has, for the second time, been awarded Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction andhas retained its Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award, which is awarded to less than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings.

Click here to make a donation to ourCharitable Trust (SC028070).

How long to spend at Britannia?

2 hours How long is a typical tour of Britannia? We recommend you allow 2 hours for your visit. Please allow longer if you wish to visit our stunning Royal Deck Tearoom.

Frequently Asked Questions. Do I needto pre-book tickets?

We strongly recommend pre-booking tickets online to guarantee admission.

Tickets will be e-mailed to the e-mail address providing during ticket purchase. This e-mail can be shown on your phone/tablet or printed out.

How long do you spend at Royal Yacht Britannia?

How many people visit Royal Yacht Britannia?

Entrance to the yacht is via the Ocean Terminal development, and over 300,000 people visit the Royal Yacht Britannia every year. She is one of the UK’s top evening events venues. On 18 May 2006, the Swiss-born Hollywood actress and first Bond girl, Ursula Andress, celebrated her 70th birthday on board. On 29 July 2011, a drinks reception was held on board Britannia for Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips and her then fiancé, Mike Tindall, to celebrate their forthcoming wedding.

An early Land Rover in much-restored shape is displayed in the on-board garage and a retired Rolls-Royce Phantom V state car is parked on the wharf below the ship. The tour of the five decks open to the public includes the Queen’s bedroom, which can be viewed behind a glass wall, and the state dining and drawing rooms, which hosted grand receptions for kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers throughout the world. The clocks on board are stopped at 3:01, the time that the Queen last disembarked. The royal deck tea room was added in 2009.

The 1936 racing yacht Bloodhound, once owned by the Queen and Prince Philip, is now berthed alongside Britannia. Bloodhound was one of the most successful ocean-racing yachts ever built and was the yacht on which King Charles III and the Princess Royal learned to sail. The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust bought Bloodhound in early 2010 and she is the centrepiece of an exhibition focusing on the Royal Family’s passion for sailing. Visitors can view Bloodhound from a specially built pontoon when the racing yacht is in port. During July and August, she is berthed in Oban marina and is available for private charter, as she sails around the islands once visited by the Royal Family during their annual fortnight holiday in the Western Isles of Scotland. During this period, Royal Yachtsmen (Yotties) from Britannia’s original crew sail the yacht for the Britannia Trust.

How long should I plan to spend at the British Museum?

Three to four hours How long does it take to tour the British Museum? Recommended visiting time is at least three to four hours, but if you’re interested in joining some of the many different talks and tours at the museum, then be prepared to spend the entire day wandering around.

It is commonly said that when you are in London, you are never too far away from a museum. With over 150 museums, galleries and exhibitions spread across the city, one can see why this statement holds true. London has a museum for literally everything – a science museum, a war museum, a natural history museum, a museum dedicated to The Beatles, a zoology museum, even a Freud museum! Looking at this vast list, it is safe to say that Londoners love their museums and all the history and traditions associated with it. However, out of this list, there is one museum in particular – the British Museum, which overshadows and outshines all the rest.

Here’s a detailed guide to the British Museum in London, tickets to the best British Museum Tours, the must see exhibits at British Museum, the British Museum restaurants and a few insider tips that will help you plan your British Museum visit effortlessly.

The British Museum in London is one of England’s largest, oldest and most comprehensive museums, with its permanent collections housing over 8 million works and articles. Through its exhibits and collections, this museum takes you back to the birth of mankind and civilization. The British Museum is dedicated to documenting and showcasing the evolution and culture of humankind, with exhibits from all over the world.

Can you have dinner on Royal Yacht, Britannia?

Dining on board The Royal Yacht Britannia is a once in a lifetime experience.From 8 to 196 guests, Britannia is equally perfectly suited to an intimate family dinner, a wedding anniversary or birthday as to a corporate celebration.Choose from three private diningRoyal function rooms including the candlelit State Dining Room, the Officers’ Wardroom or the Royal Deck.We also offer a range of entertainment options to delight you and your guests.

From artisan breads to delicate petits fours, every element of every dish is made on board in theoriginal Royal Galleys by our talented in-house team of chefs, led by Executive Chef Mark Alston. Mark is passionate about the quality and provenance of the food he serves on board and uses the very best Scottish suppliers, many of whom are Royal Warrant Holders supplying the Royal Family.

Start your evening by being piped aboard and touring the Royal Yacht with our expert tour guides telling fascinating stories of life aboard, a glass of Champagne in hand, tasting exquisite canapés.

How much to go on the Royal Yacht in Britannia?

Tickets & PricesPrices (free audio guide in 30 languages included)PriceAdult£19.50Student (with ID)**£13.50Child (aged 5-17)£9.25Child (under 5)FREE.

Getting Here. Looking for directions? Find out how to find Britannia via tram, bus or car.

STEP ABOARD FOR A GREAT DAY OUT. A Royal residence for over 40 years, The Royal Yacht Britannia sailed over 1,000,000 nautical miles on 968 state visits with the Royal Family where they entertained prime ministers and presidents. NowTripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023 – 2024, you can discover across five decks stories of life at sea for both the Royal Family and the 220 Royal Yachtsmen who served on board. Our five-star visitor attraction is located in Leith, just two miles from Edinburgh’s city centre.

• What will I see?. Britannia’s five decks with yourfree audio guide
• Feel like the captain of the ship in the Bridge
• Follow in the footsteps of Royalty through the State Apartments
• See Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite room
• Discover below decks in the Crew’s Quarters
• Admire a tour highlight, the gleaming Engine Room
• Take in the Royal Sailing Exhibition
• Enjoy soups, sandwiches, cakes and scones in theRoyal Deck Tearoom
• Admire the stunning waterfront views from the Best UK Attraction (Tripadvisor)

Does the royal family still own the yacht Britannia?

Since 1998, following a successful national tender process, Britannia has been berthed permanently at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh. There are currently no British royal yachts, although MV Hebridean Princess and MY Leander G have both been used by the royal family.

Data about launch years from Royal Yachts of the World by Tim Madge.

• Mary (1660–1675)
• Royal Escape (dates unknown)
• Anne (1661–unknown)
• Bezan (1661–unknown)
• Katherine (first ship of that name) (1661–unknown): built by Phineas Pett
• Minion (dates unknown)
• Charles (first ship of that name) (1662–unknown)
• Jamie or Jemmy (1662–unknown)
• Henrietta (first ship of that name) (1663–unknown)
• Merlin* (1666–unknown)
• Monmouth (1666–unknown)
• Navy (1666–unknown)
• Saudadoes (1670–unknown)
• Cleveland (1671–unknown)
• Queenborough (first ship of that name) (1671–unknown)
• Deale (1673–unknown)
• Isle of Wight (1673–unknown)
• Kitchen (1670–unknown)
• Katherine (second ship of that name) (1674–unknown)
• Portsmouth (first ship of that name) (1674–unknown)
• Charles (second ship of that name) (1675–unknown); Charlot (1677–unknown); Mary (second ship of that name) (1677–unknown); Henrietta (second ship of that name) (1679–unknown); Izabella Bezan (1680–unknown); Fubbs (1682–unknown); Isabella (first ship of that name) (1680–unknown); William & Mary (first ship of that name) (1694–unknown); Squirrel (1694–unknown); Scout (1695–unknown); Queenborough (second ship of that name) (1701–unknown); Soesdyke (1702–unknown); Portsmouth (second ship of that name) (1702–unknown); Isabella (1703–unknown); Drake (1705–unknown)

Was there a swimming pool on The Royal Yacht Britannia?

Here the Royal Family relaxed in privacy, sunbathing or enjoying games of quoits or deck hockey. Prince Philip would occasionally set up his painting easel here and there was even a collapsible swimming pool for the Royal Family to take a dip if they wanted.

Who owns the Royal Yacht in Britannia?

As befits its charitable objectives, the Trust’s principal activity is to encourage as many people as possible to visit Britannia, in order to learn more about this iconic vessel and the ambassadorial role she undertook throughout the world. Since opening to the public on 19 October 1998, Britannia normally attracts between 350,000 and 400,000 visitors per annum, usually making it one of Scotland’s top 10 paid admission visitor attractions. Since first joining our national tourist board’s quality assurance scheme, VisitScotland has graded us in the 5 Star ‘World Class’ category. In addition, for 13 years Britannia received the highest quality mark awarded that year by VisitScotland, making it Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction. The Royal Yacht Britannia has, for the second time, been awarded Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction andhas retained its Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award, which is awarded to less than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings.

Is it worth it to visit the Royal Yacht in Britannia?

It isn’t an essential thing to do when visiting Edinburgh as the ship really doesn’t have many links with the city and isn’t a part of Edinburgh’s history. However, a visit tothe Britannia will easily fill 2 hours of your time and the pubs and restaurants of Leith are worth exploring when you are in the area.

The Gift Shop has lots of things to tempt the dedicated Royal Family fan, but it is quite expensive.

The No.22 bus from Princes Street takes you to Ocean Terminal in about 20 mins.

📹 Get an inside look at Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Yacht Britannia

Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Yacht Britannia is celebrating its 70th anniversary where it now rests in Scotland’s Port of Leeth as a …

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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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