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Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience: The full review 2025

Travel back in time to 1869, when the world’s fastest sailing ship, Cutty Sark, was built to transport tea from China to Britain. Step aboard and experience life as a Victorian seafarer, climbing the towering rigging and braving the high seas on record-breaking voyages around the globe.
Chantal Welch
Written by Chantal Welch 15 August 2025
a low angle photo taken from a distance of a person climbing the Cutty Sark, wearing a jumpsuit and harness
Experience panoramic views across London's skyline at the Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience. Image courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich. Photo credit: Nathan Turner.

Plan your visit

  • Location: Greenwich, London SE10.
  • Nearest stations: Greenwich Station and DLR or Greenwich Pier for riverboats
  • Rig Climb hours: Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, from 16 May until 31 October 2025.
  • Duration: One hour, depending on the climbing speed of the individual.
  • Age requirement: 8 years and above (with adult supervision).
  • Entry: £60 for adults, £49 for children (includes entry to Cutty Sark).

Book a Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea – pair your climb with a truly unique afternoon tea experience beneath the ship itself.

Discover Cutty Sark like never before

The Cutty Sark ship against a blue sky background in London

Exploring this national icon has long been on my list, and the Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience offers a truly one-of-a-kind adventure, immersing you in Cutty Sark’s story while delivering an unforgettable experience.

Perched proudly in Greenwich since 1954, Cutty Sark is a 19th-century tea clipper that once raced across oceans at record-breaking speeds and is one of the world’s most famous historic ships. Preserved as a museum and a London attraction, this 156-year-old ship offers a rare glimpse into Britain’s maritime past.

For a limited time, you can experience it from a new perspective, following in the footsteps of the 653 men who served on the ship. The Cutty Sark Rig Climb gives you the chance step into the shoes of sailors and scale the ship’s towering masts, just as the crew once did.

What is the Cutty Sark Rig Climb?

A woman wearing climbing equipment holding onto the ratlines of the Cutty Sark about to climb.

The Cutty Sark Rig Climb is a first-of-its-kind experience in Greenwich. On arrival we were welcomed by the Wire & Sky team underneath Cutty Sark’s original copper hull and then kitted out with a helmet, gilet and harness before a safety briefing. No mobile phones are allowed but the team take a nice selection of photos for you to purchase.

En route to the main deck, we were taken on a tour of the interior of Cutty Sark, making our way past the cargo displays of Chinese tea and Australian wool, and fascinating exhibits showcasing how sailors lived and worked on the ship during long voyages

The main deck is where the adventure begins, and once safely clipped to the ropes, it was time for us to climb the near vertical ratlines of the main mast which is 46.3 metres (152 feet) high, to the top platform which is 21 metres (69 feet) above the main deck. In sailor’s terms, ratlines are the ropes that form a rope ladder up to the yards, which are the horizontal spars that hold the sails. 

It’s at this stage I imagined what it would have been like for the sailors and young apprentices, ordered to shin up the ratlines in all weather conditions without shoes or modern safety equipment. It would be a physically demanding and risky job, especially in bad weather!

A woman smiling while holding onto the Cutty Sark's ropes high up above the rooftops of Greenwich

Now, with a mix of adrenaline and nerves, I stepped onto the first rung of the rope ladder and began to climb. Before I know it, I’m 15 metres above ground and taking in the views with the realisation of just how high up I am. There was no turning back now! I tried to not look down, focusing on holding onto the rope ladder and my climbing technique with the small top platform in sight.

I’m not a huge lover of heights but wanted to conquer any fears and challenge myself with this activity. Wire & Sky’s friendly team were on hand to give me plenty of encouragement and confidence, guiding me as I traversed from the rope ladder onto the top platform via stepping out onto a single rope in mid-air. I felt completely safe the whole time, and once I’d made it, I was able to soak up the views of London’s skyline.

But the challenge doesn’t end there…with the team reattaching my harness, it was time to climb even higher, up another vertical rope ladder. There was no platform waiting for me, only the Lower Topsail Yard and Rebecca from Wire & Sky, who was perched up there and ready to guide me onwards.

Daunted but determined, I gripped onto the ladder and reached the point where I needed to leave the main rigging and inch my way sideways across the horizontal Lower Topsail Yard, with just one rope to stand on in mid-air and one to grasp onto. This was the most exhilarating part for me and combined with the fabulous views of London made it an incredible experience.

A woman standing on a thin foot rope and waviing from the Lower Topsail Yard.

A real highlight for me was the descent, with the hard part now ticked off, it was a short climb down to the top platform and a smooth, controlled zip line down to the main deck. This experience is definitely one for thrill-seekers and adventure lovers!

A taste of life at sea - why you should try it

A smiling woman in climbing gear zip lining down the Cutty Sark.

If you want to try something completely unique, but equally thrilling, then this is for you. From start to finish it’s an adventure as you immerse yourself in the attraction and get close to an iconic London landmark.

You’ll be able to enjoy panoramic views of London’s skyline, with the Old Royal Naval College, river Thames, Canary Wharf and central London all in sight, and explore the ship afterwards.

Reach new heights and book your Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience.

Make your day out in Greenwich memorable

Topiary lines a gravel path to the Queen's House, a royal villa in Greenwich.

Greenwich is a great place to explore, it has a rich maritime history, royal heritage, a beautiful park and world-class attractions.

Take time to visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the home of Greenwich meantime (GMT) the Old Royal Naval College with its stunning Painted Hall, the elegant Queen’s House and the National Maritime Museum.

Sightsee and save with a Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass.

Discover more adventurous activities to do in London