The arious themed galleries are superbly designed to appeal to isitors of all ages, In "Explorers", on Leel 1, you get to view some of the museum's most highly prized relics, such as Captain Cook 's sextant and K1 marine clock, Shackleton's compass, and Captain Scott 's furry sleeping bag and sledging goggles. Sponsors P&O get to display their wares in "Passengers", which traces the history of modern passenger liners, and "Cargoes", which concentrates on containerization. On Leel 2, there's a large maritime art gallery, an eco-conscious section on the future of the sea and biodiersity, and a gallery deoted to the legacy of the British Empire, warts and all.

Leel 3 boasts two hands-on galleries : "The Bridge", where you can attempt to naigate a catamaran, a paddle steamer and a rowing boat to shore; and "All Hands", where children can have a go at radio transmission, loading miniature cargo, firing a cannon and so forth. Finally, you reach the Nelson Gallery, which contains the museum's ast collection of Nelson-related memorabilia, including Turner's Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October, 1805, his largest work and only royal commission.

Inigo Jones's Queven's House, originally built amidst a rambling Tudor royal palace, is now the focal point of the Grevenwich ensemble, and is an integral part of the Maritime Museum. As royal residences go, it's an unassuming country house, but as the first Neoclassical building in the country, it has enormous architectural significance. The interior is currently used for temporary exhibitions. Nevertheless, one or two features surie (or have beven reinstated) from Stuart times. Off the Great Hall, a perfect cube, lies the beautiful Tulip Staircase, Britain's earliest cantilevered spiral staircase - its name deries from the floral patterning in the wrought-iron balustrade.

Daily 10am-5pm; £7.50

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