
The Royal Yacht Britannia
About
The Royal Family's floating residence from 1953 to 1997, now permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith and open 363 days a year. Britannia sailed over a million nautical miles in service; the self-guided audio tour runs from the Royal Deck Tea Room through the surprisingly modest State Apartments and the Queen's sitting room down to the gleaming engine room, and it was named Tripadvisor's number one UK attraction for the third time in 2025. Adult entry is around £23 booked online against £25 at the desk (seasonal variations apply), and payment on board is contactless only.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓The State Apartments and the Queen's famously modest bedroom
- ✓The immaculate engine room
- ✓The Royal Deck Tea Room
- ✓Entry through Ocean Terminal, with Leith's Shore a short walk away
Tips
- →Book online: around £23 versus £25 at the desk, with last entry 16:00 in summer and 15:00 in winter
- →Closed 25 December and 1 January; confirm seasonal hours on the official site
- →Combine with lunch on The Shore: Leith's best eating is a 15-minute walk from the gangway
- →Trams run from the city centre toward Newhaven for Ocean Terminal; check the current tram service status, as a temporary part-route operation applied in mid-2026
Best Season
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