Götheborg: Swedish tall ship docks in London this week- where to visit it and how to get tickets?

An 18th-century Swedish East India Company ship has made its return to London this week for the first time in 15 years.

The Götheborg, the world’s largest ocean-going wooden sailing, passed under Tower Bridge on Monday morning and is expected to make its way across the River Thames throughout the day before mooring in Canary Wharf.

The ship, which is a replica of the original that sank outside Gothenburg in 1745, is currently on a two year expedition to Asia.

It will remain in Canary Wharf till Friday, during which it will be open to visitors.

Where can you visit the Götheborg?

The Götheborg will be moored at South Dock Quay in Canary Wharf from Monday August 8 to Friday August 12.

The ship will be open to the public from August 8 to 12, during the following times.

• August 8: Open  2pm – 8pm
• August 9: Open 10am – 2:30 pm
• August 10: Open 10am – 5pm
• August 11: Open 10am – 5pm
• August 12: Open 9am – 11am

According to the official event website, tickets cost £15 per person for anyone above the age of 16.

Tickets for visitors aged five to 16 cost £7.50, and anyone under the age of five goes free.

Tours need to be booked in advance from here. Subject to availability, tickets can also be bought on-site, but they recommend booking in advance, to be sure you can visit.

The history of the Götheborg

The original ship owes its origins to the Swedish East India Company, which traded between 1731 and 1813, and was at the time, Sweden’s most valuable company.

The first Swedish ship Götheborg was launched in 1738 and went through three adventurous voyages to China (including one where she was hijacked by the British) before it’s wrecking outside the Fortress of Älvsborg.

In 1993, the Swedish East India Company was refounded, but this time with the mission to rebuild the Götheborg. Work started in 1995, and it took 20 years to complete the ship.

The ship now tours the world and last visited London in May 2007.