A swashbuckling exhibition all about pirates is opening in London - dates, tickets and what to expect

• Pirates, at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich will open on 29th March.
• The exhibition explores the fascinating life of pirates and their portrayal over the years.
• The exhibition is recommended for ages 7 and up - and includes some fearsome details about pirate life.

A swashbuckling exhibition centred around the pirate life is opening in London.

The bold exhibition will explore the notorious deeds conducted by brutish buccaneers and will aim to separate the fact from fiction.

The exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich opens on 29th March and will run (or should that be sail?) until January 2026.

The exhibition explores the perception of piracy in popular culture – from comical characters like Captain Pugwash and Captain Hook to anti-heroes like Long John Silver and Captain Jack Sparrow – and examines why the idea of a pirate’s life still fascinates us today.

While often portrayed as swashbuckling scoundrels, the real history of pirates is far more complex.

Pirates follows the global history of piracy from the South China Sea to the coast of North Africa and explores the issues of modern piracy facing seafarers today. The exhibition illuminates real-life figures, including Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach, William Kidd, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, and reflects on how perceptions of pirates, both past and present, are shifting.

Exhibition highlights include a deep look into the pirates’ hunters cup and history of the ‘Golden Age of Piracy’.

Pirate exhibition London - When, where, how to get there?

Where: Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Dates: 29th March 2025 - 4th January 2026.

Tickets: Adult: £15 | Student: £11.25 | Child: £7.50 (members go free.)

Recommended for ages 7+.

Nearest station: Cutty Sark station (DLR)