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The Royal Yacht Britannia

Experience Tripadvisor's Best UK Attraction 2023. Follow in the footsteps of Royalty and explore this floating Royal residence with a fascinating audio tour of five decks (available in over 30 languages).

Tripadvisor's Best UK Attraction 2023, Best UK Attraction (Which magazine readers) and Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award winner 

Please note due to the upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Britannia will be closed 11 - 23 March and 25 - 28 June. 

Visit this award-winning attraction, just two miles from Edinburgh's city centre at Ocean Terminal.  The Royal Yacht Britannia played host to some of the world’s most famous people, from Nelson Mendela to Winston Churchill, but above all was home for the British Royal Family for over 40 years. Now you can discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.

You'll receive a truly warm welcome at Britannia's Visitor Centre before you board this famous ship where you will discover the history of Royal Yachts and view displays and historical photographs of Britannia's fascinating past before boarding Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace.

What will you see?

• Tour Britannia’s five decks
• 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- the Sun Lounge
• 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 the Royal Deck Tearoom and admire the stunning waterfront views.

The tour is available in:

• Audio handset tour, available in over 30 languages
• Children’s audio tour
• Audio tour for those with sight loss
• ASL and BSL tablet
• Braille script ​​​​​​ ​​​​​

Complete the Britannia experience with a visit to the  Gift Shop in Ocean Terminal, where you’ll find exclusive Britannia souvenirs, china, toys, gifts and nautical items.

Berthed just moments away, Britannia's sister ship, floating hotel Fingal, offers 22 luxurious cabins inspired by the former Northern Lighthouse Board tender's rich maritime heritage. For further information, visit Fingal's website .

HELPFUL INFORMATION:

-  Please note that due to upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Britannia will be closed 11 - 23 March and 25 - 28 June. -  All weather experience -  Highly accessible for wheelchair users, single buggies and those with limited mobility. Read our accessibility statement here . -  Free Annual Pass for 12 months admission included -  The entrance to Britannia is via our Visitor Centre on the 2nd floor of Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

How to get here?

By tram: Take the tram to stop 'Ocean Terminal' (Newhaven direction).

By bus: Majestic Tour Bus and Lothian Buses 10, 16, 34 and 35 run from the city centre towards Ocean Terminal. Majestic Tour buses depart regularly from Waterloo Place / St Andrew Square in the centre of Edinburgh. The Majestic Tour is operated by Edinburgh Bus Tours .

By train:  Arrive in the city centre at Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, just 2 miles from Britannia. 

By car: Follow signs to Edinburgh and Leith or North Edinburgh. Then follow brown tourist signs for Britannia. Free car parking at Ocean Terminal (level E is nearest). For satnav our postcode is EH6 6JJ. Go inside the shopping centre for Britannia’s visitor centre and the start of the tour. By plane: Britannia is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh Airport.

For further information on finding Britannia, please see here .  

OPENING TIMES

Please check the Britannia website for full opening times and prices. EVENING EVENTS Exclusive dinners and receptions can be hosted on board. Call our events team on +44 (0) 131 555 8800 and see how we can create your event of a lifetime, or visit the events section of our website .

PRIVATE TOURS A private tour on board The Royal Yacht Britannia is an exclusive experience, giving you access to Britannia’s five decks, and a unique insight into the history of the Royal Yacht and how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked on board. Both Morning and Evening tours are available. Call our events team on +44 (0) 131 555 8800 or for more information visit click here . PRESERVING BRITANNIA Britannia is cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust , a self-funding charity registered in Scotland (SC028070). By visiting Britannia you will be helping us to preserve this important piece of history for future generations.

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk See our reviews on Tripadvisor Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Instagram

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Transport and Parking

• On Public Transport Route
• Public Parking Nearby

Accessibility

• Hearing Loop
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Lift or stairlift
• Large print, braille or audio
• Level Access
• Wheelchair access throughout
• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility

Dietary Options

• Gluten Free

Typical Prices

• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Lunch Available
• Licensed Bar
• Cafe or Restaurant

Payment Methods

• American Express
• Diners Card
• Credit Card
• Coastal Location
• Sea/Loch View

Awards & Schemes

Related items of interest

• Sailing on Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound

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Accommodation, attractions, food & drink, terms and conditions.

Opening hours The Royal Yacht Britannia

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The Royal Yacht Britannia

• Current: Opening hours

This museum is closed temporarily.

The daily opening times of The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh

The following overview lists the visiting hours for The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh . The hours of the current day (today) are highlighted. Please note that opening hours on special days or holidays may differ from what is displayed here. We therefore recommend you to always check the opening hours with The Royal Yacht Britannia before your visit and see if it might be needed to reserve a time slot.

• #19 in Edinburgh
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Want to know when The Royal Yacht Britannia is open? These are the opening hours:

January* - March -10:00 - 15:00 April - August - 9:30 - 16:00 September- 10:00 - 16:00 October - 10:00 - 15:30 November - December - 10:00 - 15:00 Due to upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Britannia will be closed 11 - 23 March and 29 April - 5 May. The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 1 January and 25 December. The last admission to the Royal Yacht on 24 December is 2:30pm.

More about The Royal Yacht Britannia

Free-City-Guides.com

Independent Advice for your city break

The Royal Yacht

The Royal Yacht Britannia was Queen Elizabeth II’s most loved form of transport. The yacht and its crew travelled the world on Royal engagements for decades until it reached the end of its working life in 1997. Now the yacht has a new purpose as one of the most visited tourist attractions in Scotland. It’s been preserved just as it was when the Queen and the rest of the British Royal Family used it.

You’ll see the royal apartments, walk the decks and see the crew quarters. Don’t forget to have your photo taken with the ships bell too! We think you’ll need to allow 2 to 3 hours for your trip to the Royal Yacht Britannia, more if you plan to eat and shop in the Ocean Terminal centre. Adult admission is £15 which includes the audio guide (2016 prices). Family, HM Armed Forces and concession tickets are also available. In peak holiday times we’d advise that you pre-book tickets to avoid waiting when you get to the yacht…

Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets with Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets with Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour

In other times though, we’ve been able to buy tickets and hop straight on board. The Royal Yacht now has a “tea room” on the Royal Deck which allows you to enjoy refreshments with all the views of the waterfront.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is open daily as follows: November, December, January, February & March from 10am – 3.30pm (last admission). April, May, June & October from 10am – 4pm (last admission). July, August & September from 9.30am – 4.30pm (last admission).

The yacht is moored at a huge shopping complex called “Ocean Terminal” which has been part of the transformation of the old docks in Leith. It’s packed with shops, cafes and restaurants. As such it is a bus or car journey from Edinburgh City Centre.

LOCATION & CONTACT

Address: The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ Tel: +44 (0)131 555 5566 Email: [email protected]

Buses to Ocean Terminal run every few minutes from Princes Street (No 22) and regularly from other areas of the city too.  The journey takes around 15 minutes.   Alternatively use the Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour which stops at Ocean Terminal.

MORE ON THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA

Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets with Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour Royal Yacht Britannia  – Official website Royal Yacht history  – Wikipedia Hotels near the Royal Yacht Britannia – Best prices from Hotels.com Books on the Royal Yacht Britannia  – Amazon.co.uk DVDs on the Royal Yacht Britannia  – Amazon.co.uk Tripadvisor reviews

BACK TO…EDINBURGH CITY GUIDE

Royal Yacht Britannia

Royal Yacht Britannia, reasons to visit the Queen’s yacht

Royal apartments.

This beautiful vessel once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II , sailing her all over the world on State visits and Royal Family holidays , and now you too can explore its decks, discovering what life on board was like for both the Royals and the crew .

Useful Information

Nov-Mar 10am-3.30pm

Apr-Sep 9.30am-4.30pm

Oct 9.30am-4pm

£16.50 adults

£14.50 seniors/students

£8.75 children

Free children under 5

On the upper decks, you will see the various rooms where the Royal Family spent their time on board . Imagine them hosting guests in the magnificent State Dining Room, or simply relaxing in the Sun Lounge.

You can also see the Royal Bedrooms, and browse the photography exhibitions about Royal Yacht Britannia’s travels - Princes Charles and Princess Diana even used the yacht for their honeymoon .

For a truly regal experience, stop by the Royal Deck Tea Room, a glass walled cafe on the top deck , offering elegant cream teas and a lunch menu.

It’s also possible to hire out the State Apartments for private functions - Zara Tindell, the Queen’s granddaughter, held her engagement party on board in 2011.

Life for the crew

You can also see the areas of the ship where the Royal Yachtsmen lived and worked . Explore the Sick Bay, Laundry, and Crew’s Quarters, and don’t forget to stop at the NAAFI sweet shop to try their delicious fudge!

The Engine Room is also a highlight, where you will marvel at the massive, gleaming machinery that powers the yacht.

You should also check out the sailing exhibition, to learn about the Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound, which is moored next to Britannia .

If you are interested in the affairs of the Royal Family or f you are passionate about sailing, the experience of exploring the Royal Yacht Britannia will worth the visit.

You can see the Royal Yacht in the harbour of Leith, which can be reached on foot or by bus from the city centre. Enter through the Britannia Visitor Centre inside the Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

Get directions to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Related Activities

You won’t be able to see Bloodhound in July and August, as she is moored in Oban at this time, where she can be hired for day sailing.

Don’t miss...

The magnificent Rolls-Royce Phantom V that remains on board, which travelled with the Royal Family around the world!

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A Visitors Guide to The Royal Yacht Britannia

Launched in 1953, The Royal Yacht Britannia served the Royal Family for nearly 50 years, until it’s decommissioning in 1997. Aside from the Royal Family, the yacht also welcomed a number of high profile politicians and celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Liz Taylor, Nelson Mandela and Sir Winston Churchill.

Being based near Edinburgh, I was amazed when I discovered that Damon had never visited. I hadn’t been in nearly 10 years so one rainy weekend we decided to take the full tour and enjoy the tea room.

• Location and Getting There

Opening Times

Ticket types and prices, royal deck tea room, location and getting there.

The Britannia is permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal, Leith just north of Edinburgh city centre.

Parking At Royal Yacht Britannia

Parking is free at Ocean Terminal if you’re taking a car. The blue car park, level E, is closest to the Visitor Centre.

You can find the Visitor Centre on the 2nd floor of the shopping centre, towards the Debenhams end.

The easiest way of getting there is by using Google Maps . Alternatively, use the postcode EH6 6JJ or follow signs for Leith, then the brown Royal Yacht Britannia signs.

The 11, 22 or 35 Lothian Bus services will take you to the Britannia from the city centre of Edinburgh. Tickets can be purchased with correct change on the bus (no contactless payment option), online , from the Lothian Buses m-tickets app or from a preloaded citysmart card.

UberX, UberXL and Exec are available in and around Edinburgh. Prices vary but use our Uber code: andrewy2730ue or sign up here to get a free ride.

The Britannia

The Britannia is open all year round, with the exception of the 25th of December and the 1st of January.

Admission Times are also dependent on the season:

*Last admission is 2:30pm on December 24th and 3pm on December 31st.

For updated opening times, check out this page on the official website.

The Royal Deck Tea Room

**The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on December 25th and January 1st. Last admission to the Royal Deck Tea Room is 2:45pm on December 24th and 3pm on December 31st.

Ticket prices remain the same all year round. We’d recommend booking through Viator .

There are a range of ticket types available, including discounts for senior citizens (60+), children (5-17), students and members of the armed forces (with identification).

Your ticket will grant you access to the visitor centre, the yacht itself (self guided tour with included audio guide) and the Royal Deck Tea Room.

Groups of 15 or more get access to special rates which you can find more information about here .

Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you can apply for a free annual pass (just ask at the till), allowing you to visit during the following 12 months. The Annual Pass will also entitle you to a 15% discount at the tea room and the gift shop.

The Annual Pass is a great idea, especially if you’re considering a return visit to the tea room. We’ll talk in more detail about the Tea Room later on but for now I’ll just say a return visit might be likely.

Audio Guide

After purchasing your ticket at the till, you’ll first take a walk through the Britannia Visitor centre where a short exhibition will tell you about the history of the ship.

After that, you’ll get given your audio guide , which is available in 30 languages:

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Russian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian, Korean, Japanese, Urdu, Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic, Thai, Turkish, Cantonese, Punjabi, Portuguese-Brazilian, Welsh, Romanian and Gaelic.

There are also English audio guides available for children, visually impaired visitors and for those with learning disabilities. For those with hearing difficulties, a British Sign Language tablet or printed script can be provided.

The tour of the ship itself lasts approximately one hour.

You will get to see the full five decks of the ship.

Near the top of the ship, towards the stern you can find the teak-lined sun lounge. This was a private family room where The Queen would enjoy afternoon tea.

The state dining room, the largest room on board, hosted royalty, prime ministers and presidents. Sir Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were all entertained in this venue.

The room is still actively used as an events space and can accommodate up to 196 dinner guests.

One of the surprises on the tour was the freshly made fudge, which you could sample for free on one of the lower decks.

When Damon and I thought about going to tour the Britannia, we read that there was a tea room on board. We didn’t, in all honesty, expect much, based on our experience with most museum cafés. But this completely surprised us.

The Royal Deck Team Room sits in a beautiful glass box on Britannia’s top deck, with stunning views over the Forth and the bridges in the distance.

The menu offers a range of soups, sandwiches and cakes. You can also choose from a selection of teas, coffees, alcoholic (wine, champagne, whisky, cocktails etc.) and non-alcoholic soft drinks.

Damon and I both opted for the Britannia Special (a soup and sandwich platter). Everything on the plate was delicious, from the Cullen Skink soup to the chicken sandwich and the smoked paprika potato wedges.

The whole experience, from the view to the food and the silverware really surpassed our expectations.

Is Afternoon Tea Served On The Royal Yacht Britannia?

No traditional afternoon tea is served in the Royal Deck Tea Room aboard the Britannia. Instead, it is served aboard the Fingal (see below). There are instead 3 specials options in the tea room:

Moët Cream Tea Special For Two: Bottle of Moët Imperial NV plus a sandwich (from their list) and a scone or slice of cake. Loose-leaf tea or coffee is included - £57.50

Cream Tea Special For One: Pot of loose-leaf tea or coffee, plus a sandwich (from their list), a scone or slice of cake and a glass of sparkling Rosé - £26 (£28 for Moët Imperial NV option)

Britannia Special: Soup and a sandwich. Served with paprika potato wedges and garlic mayonnaise - £15.95

Cost Of Afternoon Tea On The Fingal

Afternoon tea is served on board the Fingal (Britannia’s sister ship also docked in Port Leith - 10 mins walk from the Britannia).

The afternoon tea costs £40 per head and includes a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies.

accessibility

A central lift makes the Britannia accessible on all levels and accommodates wheelchair users or those with specific access needs.

Ocean Terminal, where you gain entry to the Britannia, has disabled Parking on every level and lifts connect each floor.

Recognised assistance dogs are welcome on board.

For further information, check out this page on the official Royal Yacht Britannia website.

Take The Tour In The Morning

A morning tour will likely be quieter than an afternoon tour. Naturally, the ship has some close quarters so the less people the better.

Buy Tickets online To Skip The Queue

If you purchase your ticket online, you won’t have to wait at the till. On peak days, especially during summer, this can save you a lot of time. Tickets are priced exactly the same.

Don’t Miss It If your Cruise is Berthed Nearby

Cruise ships regularly dock in Leith. The Britannia Visitor Centre is likely only a 5 minutes walk from your cruise ship.

Take Advantage Of Free Parking At Ocean Terminal

You wouldn’t normally see ‘Edinburgh’ and ‘Free Parking’ in the same sentence so take full advantage if it’s the easiest way to get there for you. Ocean Terminal, Blue Car Park, Level E.

Take Advantage of The Free Annual Pass

We only discovered this was an option after our visit. When we ate in the tea room, we thought we’d like to go back but we didn’t want to have to pay full admission again for the privilege. This, for 12 months at least, solves that problem.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is consistently rated one of the top tourist attractions in Scotland and, after my return visit and Damon’s 1st visit, we could see why. Have you visited the Royal Yacht Britannia? Or do you have any questions before your trip? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Everything about tourist attractions

Royal Yacht Britannia – tickets, prices, discounts, afternoon tea, what to see

Royal Yacht Britannia used to be Queen Elizabeth’s Palace on Water and is now Scotland’s most popular tourist attraction. 

Known by many names such as Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia, Queen Elizabeth’s Yacht ,  HMY Britannia, etc., this Yacht was in the Queen’s service for 44 years and sailed more than a million miles worldwide. 

It is a perfect opportunity to see how the British Queen lived when traveling with other Kings and Queens, World leaders, and celebrities. 

This article shares everything you must know before booking your tickets for the Royal Yacht Britannia tour.

Top Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

# Royal Yacht Britannia tickets # Royal Edinburgh ticket

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Here is a quick video on what visitors can expect inside Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia.

Your Royal Britannia tour starts from the Visitor Centre, on the second floor of Ocean Terminal, where you get the historical background about the Royal Family and Yachtsmen.

You then pick up the audio guide, which is part of the entry ticket, and board Queen Elizabeth’s Yacht and explore five fascinating decks.

Highlights on the Yacht’s Royal side are the Sun Lounge, the State Dining Room, and The Queen’s Bedroom.

On the ship’s operational side, you get to see the Crew’s Quarters, the Engine Room, the laundry, etc.

More than 95% of the exhibits you will see during your tour are original and are taken on loan from The Royal Collection.

If you prefer, you can also visit the Royal Deck Tea Room.

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Royal Yacht Britannia tickets

This entry ticket gets you complete access to the Royal ship that’s now berthed in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith.

Visitors can explore all five decks at a leisurely pace even as they take in the public and private lives of the British Royal Family.

This ticket also includes the complimentary audio guide. 

Adult ticket (18+ years): 18.50 pounds Child ticket (5 to 17 years): 9.25 Pounds  Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children): 50 Pounds Infant ticket (under 5 years): Free entry

This combo is known as the 48-hour Royal Edinburgh Ticket and is a real money saver. 

If you are visiting Edinburgh for the first time, we highly recommend this Royal attractions combo. 

This ticket gets you to access three of the best attractions in the city:

• Royal Yacht Britannia
• Edinburgh Castle
• Palace of Holyroodhouse

And to top it all, you also get unlimited travel for 48 hours on three of Edinburgh’s hop-on-hop-off bus tours. 

Address:  Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, United Kingdom. Get Directions

The Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed in Leith, Edinburgh, just 2 miles from the City Centre.

Britannia’s Visitor Centre is on the second floor of Ocean Terminal, just 15 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh City Centre.

Ocean Terminal is soon going to be  re-branded  as Porta. 

There are many ways to get to the Royal Yacht. 

If you are coming by train, you must get down at  Edinburgh Waverley .

From outside the station, you can take a taxi to cover the 3.7 kms (2.3 miles) to Ocean Terminal. 

From the Waverly station, you can also take bus No. 22 and 34.

You must board the buses at  Princess Street (Stop PN) , and after 24 minutes and 27 stops, get down at  Ocean Terminal (Stop OF) .

There is a bus from the Station, every 15 minutes.

Lothian Bus services  run three buses – Bus No. 11, 22, and 35 – from Edinburgh City Centre to Ocean Terminal. 

You can purchase tickets on the bus by presenting the correct change or from the  Lothian Buses app .

A single journey on a Lothian Bus costs 1.70 Pounds. 

If you use Satnav, use the postcode EH6 6JJ. 

Else, open Google Maps to get  directions to Ocean Terminal .

If you prefer a taxi, we recommend  Uber ,  Central Taxis , or  City Cabs .

Car Parking

Royal Yacht Britannia offers free parking at Ocean Terminal.

Blue Car Park on Level E is closest to the tourist attraction’s Visitor Centre. 

This part of the Park also has spaces for Blue Badge holders. 

If you reach by foot, taxi, or bus, access to Royal Britannia is from the Ocean Terminal Shopping Center’s main entrance on the ground floor. 

You must take a lift to the 2nd floor of Ocean Terminal and walk towards the building’s East end.

You will first spot Debenhams and then HMY Britannia’s Visitor Center entrance.  Even though you can book tickets at the venue (the ticket desk is to the left of the visitor center entrance), it is better to  buy them online , much in advance, to avoid last-minute disappointment. 

During the peak months of April to October, Royal Yacht Britannia opens at 9.30 am, and the last entry is at 4.30 pm. 

The rest of the year, the Royal Yacht opens at 10 am, and the last entry is allowed till 3.30 pm. 

The last admission on 24 December is at 2.30 pm, and on 31 December it is at 3 pm. 

Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 25 December and 1 January.

Royal Yacht Britannia tour

The Royal Yacht Britannia   tours are a perfect way to feel like a celebrity for a few hours. 

In this section, we share a few things you must know before you book your tour of the Royal ship. 

No, tours of HMY Britannia don’t start at a stipulated time. 

When you book your tickets, you only select the ‘date.’ 

On the day of your visit, reach the Royal ship between their opening hours to start exploring.

Her Majesty’s Yacht doesn’t offer guided tours. 

However, every ticket comes with an audio guide to walk around and tour the ship yourself.

Kids get their own version of the audio guide. 

You need at least two hours to explore Royal Yacht Britannia to satisfaction. 

However, if you plan to visit the Royal Deck Tea Room, you must factor in another 30 to 60 minutes. 

Visits during July and August tend to take longer because of the crowd. 

Kids up to four years get the maximum discounts at Britannia, Edinburgh – they get in for free. 

On the adult ticket price of 17 Pounds, children aged 5 to 17 years get almost 50% discount and pay only 8.75 Pounds.

Seniors who are 60+ and students with valid educational ID cards get a 2 Pound reduction on the full ticket.

People in the Armed Forces (with valid ID) can also claim the reduced price of 8.75 Pounds. 

However, this Armed Forces discount is available only at the Britannia ticket office.

Every Britannia Yacht entry ticket comes with a complimentary audio guide.

While receiving the audio guides at the Handset Desk, you can ask for straps to wear the audio guides around the neck. Headphones are also available.

Kids can opt for the children’s version of the audio guide.

The audio tour is available in 30 languages; English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Russian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian, Korean, Japanese, Urdu, Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic, Thai, Turkish, Cantonese, Punjabi, Portuguese-Brazilian, Welsh, Romanian and Gaelic. 

Besides the audio guide, visitor guides are also available through the tour route to help if you have questions.

Royal Yacht Britannia afternoon tea

The Royal Deck Tea Room is on board Britannia and tables are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is a perfect restaurant to enjoy freshly prepared food and stunning views of the harbor. 

The menu includes specialty coffees, cocktails, tasty soups, sandwiches, cakes, scones, etc.  Download Menu

The Royal Deck Tea Room has 35 tables and can seat 133 people.

During the peak months of April to October, the Royal Deck Team Room opens at 11 am, and the last admission is at 3.30 pm. 

January to March: Opens at 11 am, last admission at 3.30 pm

November to December: Opens at 10.30 pm, last admission at 3.45 pm

Royal Yacht Britannia interiors

Many tourists wonder what’s inside the Royal Yacht before they book their tickets. 

Some out of curiosity and some to know if a visit to Royal Yacht Britannia is worth it. 

We list below some of the highlights of this Palace on water. 

State Apartments

The State Apartments are the collection of rooms where the Royals lived or entertained their guests. 

The Royal family relaxed in the State Drawing Room whenever they traveled together. 

It also acted as a reception room for up to 250 guests. 

The Verandah Deck was a private space for the Royals, where they could sunbathe or enjoy quoits or deck hockey. 

This area of the ship also had a collapsible swimming pool for the Royal Family to splash around if they wanted.

The Sun Lounge was one of the Queen’s favorite rooms onboard HMY Brittania. 

The beautiful teak-lined room was a designated family room and offered a lot of privacy from the rest of the ship.

This massive dining room onboard Britannia has played host to the world’s most influential people, such as Nelson Mandela, Sir Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, etc. 

With its white paneled walls adorned with gifts received during State visits, this room represents ultimate luxury. 

The Engine Room is a testament to British marine engineering skills because, until the ship got decommissioned in 1997, everything was working fine. 

This room is full of gleaming brass, chrome, and white enamel with the ‘heavy stuff’ under the hood pumping 12,000 horsepower, which would help Britannia and her four-bladed propellers to a maximum of 22.5 knots.  

Eight men operated the Engine Room, Boiler Room, and associated machinery rooms.

The 240 Officers and Yachtsmen on board Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia sometimes had to change their uniforms up to six times a day. 

This is why it was the only ship in the Royal Navy to have a laundry service permanently on board. 

The laundry machines, dryers, and steam presses on the ship worked non-stop, and sometimes the temperature even went up to 48 degrees Celcius (118 degrees Fahrenheit)

The Admiral was responsible for Royal Yacht Britannia’s safe functioning and commanded the 19 officers and 220 Yachtsmen who operated the ship.

He worked, entertained, and often ate (he couldn’t join the other officers in their mess unless invited) in the Admiral’s Cabin. Image: Royalyachtbritannia.co.uk  

The Bridge was HMY Britannia’s center of command and control on all her journeys. 

From here, the officers reporting into the Admiral navigated, passed orders, recorded the logbooks, etc.

Back then, all Royal Navy ships had a Navy, Army, and Air Force Institute shop, known as the NAAFI. 

The crew members and the officers would shop for their daily needs, such as toothpaste, shaving creams, magazines, etc. in this shop. 

Sources # Royalyachtbritannia.co.uk # Architecturaldigest.com # Wikipedia.org # Tripadvisor.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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She is a city fanatic who loves exploring different cities, understanding their culture, meeting people, and discovering hidden gems. She likes to holiday in offbeat places that mainstream tourists are yet to discover. When on holiday, she avoids crowded tourist traps. Favourite cities: Bern, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

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Royal Yacht Britannia

Top choice in Leith

Built on Clydeside, the former Royal Yacht Britannia was the British Royal Family's floating holiday home during their foreign travels from the time of her launch in 1953 until her decommissioning in 1997, and is now permanently moored in front of Ocean Terminal . The tour, which you take at your own pace with an audio guide (available in 30 languages), lifts the curtain on the everyday lives of the royals, and gives an intriguing insight into the Queen's private tastes.

Britannia is a monument to 1950s decor, and the accommodation reveals Her Majesty's preference for simple, unfussy surroundings. There was nothing simple or unfussy, however, about the running of the ship. When the Queen travelled, with her went 45 members of the royal household, five tonnes of luggage and a Rolls-Royce that was carefully squeezed into a specially built garage on the deck. The ship's company consisted of an admiral, 20 officers and a 220-strong crew.

The decks (of Burmese teak) were scrubbed daily, but all work near the royal accommodation was carried out in complete silence and had to be finished by 8am. A thermometer was kept in the Queen's bathroom to make sure the water was the correct temperature, and when the ship was in harbour one crew member was charged with ensuring that the angle of the gangway never exceeded 12 degrees. Note the mahogany windbreak that was added to the balcony deck in front of the bridge: it was put there to stop wayward breezes from blowing up skirts and inadvertently revealing the royal underwear.

Britannia was joined in 2010 by the 1930s racing yacht Bloodhound, which was owned by the Queen in the 1960s. Bloodhound is moored alongside Britannia (except in July and August, when she is away cruising) as part of an exhibition about the Royal Family's love of all things nautical.

The Majestic Tour bus runs from Waverley Bridge to Britannia during the ship's opening times.

Ocean Terminal

Get In Touch

https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

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Opening Times

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

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

Britannia will be closed 11-23 March and 25-28 June due to the redevelopment of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre

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Plan your visit to Scotland's Best Visitor Attraction!

How to get to Britannia

Bus Britannia is easily accessible from the city centre via the hop-on, hop off Majestic Tour Bus , or by Lothian bus numbers 11, 22 and 35, which all depart regularly. Local buses have contactless for an adult single fare, but are unable to give change for other ticket types therefore you should ensure that you have the correct amount. 

Car Car parking is free within Ocean Terminal Car Park. Level E of the Blue Car Park (2 nd floor of the Shopping Centre) is closest to Britannia however, you can park on any level with stairs and lifts to take you up to our Visitor Centre and the start of your tour. Sat Nav postcode EH6 6JJ.

Opening Times

Britannia is open 9.30am - 4.30pm (April – October) and 10am – 3.30pm (November – March).  The Royal Yacht is closed on 1 January and 25 December.

At last admission (3.30pm/4.30pm respectively) you still have 2 hours to complete the tour with an average audio guided tour lasting 1.5 hours. If you wish to visit the Royal Deck Tea Room, we advise starting your tour half an hour before last admission (3pm/4pm) as this will allow you plenty of time to relax with a cup of loose-leaf tea and a freshly baked scone!

Tickets and Queues

We never run out of tickets! If you like to be organised, you can buy your tickets in advance from our website. We will e-mail an admission barcode allowing you to bypass our ticket desk, straight into the exhibition. Our tickets are the same price online as our walk-in rates. Any discount vouchers must be redeemed at the ticket desk.

Royal Deck Tea Room

Tables are unreserved allowing visitors to head up to the Royal Deck Tea Room at any time during their tour. All the soups, sandwiches, cakes and scones are made on board in the Royal Galley.

All the elements of an Afternoon Tea (cakes, scones and sandwiches) are served in the Tea Room however, they are served full sized and are plated as individual elements (sandwiches, slices of cake etc) from our menu . 

Should you wish to pre-book an Afternoon Tea, served on a stand, Britannia's luxury floating hotel, Fingal , is a short 5 minute walk away. A stunning Afternoon Tea  of perfectly formed savoury and sweet delicacies  is served in The Lighthouse Bar aboard this former Northern Lighthouse Board ship. To book call +44 (0)131 357 5000.

Visiting Britannia

Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023

Due to upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre , Britannia will be closed 11 - 23 March and 25-28 June.

Click on the Visit page  for all you need to know 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. 

AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

• What to see
• Monuments and attractions

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Built in the mid-16th century under Ivan the Terrible,  St Basil's Cathedral is the symbol of Moscow and, often of Russia as a whole. Its brightly coloured, exquisitely carved architecture is the stuff of fairytales.

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow is a proud survivor of the city's tumultuous history. Rising majestically from Red Square , it provides a striking contrast to the monochrome buildings characteristic of the Soviet era that fill much of the city. It has remained standing despite several fires, Napoleon's invasion and the demolition of churches like the   Cathedral of Christ the Saviour  under Stalin.

An iconic building

Enchanting visitors with its vibrant mix of bright colours, the towers topped with differently designed onion domes - some swirled like ice creams, some textured with diamond patterns - St Basil's Cathedral is the most famous building in Moscow , offering an unforgettable postcard image for everyone who visits the city, whether at day or night.

Inside the unique exterior is a small temple made up of a labyrinth of nine different chapels , one of which is topped by the central bell tower. Each small chapel is  exquisitely decorated with Orthodox iconology, gilt details and colourful murals .

One of Moscow's most precious treasures

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and internationally recognised symbol of Russia, St Basil's is one of Moscow's most spectacular monuments , a magnificent landmark that has been present for almost 500 years of the city's history .

During your trip to Moscow, you're bound to pass by the cathedral on numerous occasions: it's definitely worth seeing both in the day , to fully admire its vivid rainbow of colours, and at night , to see the lovely illuminations after dark. While it is one of of the capital's must-see monuments, if you're short on time or have a tight budget, just stick to seeing the outside.

It's often common to confuse the cathedral as part of the Kremlin , which is located just next door, but they are completely separate. As well as the Kremlin, St Basil's central location means you can combine it with a visit to  Lenin's Mausoleum , the GUM  or the  Moscow's State Historical Museum .

Red Square.

Daily from 11 am to 5 pm (may vary depending on the season).

Adults: ₽ 700 ( US$ 7.70) (500 RUB for citizens of Russia and the EAEU). Young people between 16 and 18 years and students: 150 RUB. Children under 16 years old: free entry.

Closest metro to Red Square : Ploschad' Rovulyutsii (line 3, blue).

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