Maritime London - Discover the past, explore the present

Explore the history of maritime London from Roman settlements to today's Docklands. Find out about the individuals and events that have contributed to its wealth and importance, and discover the communities who have made this great port city their home.

Magnificent gilded barges, liverymen in their finest uniforms, the splendour of lavish celebrations: the Thames is the ‘royal river’, used for centuries by British monarchs to involve the people in ceremony and festivities displaying their regal status.

The Royal River exhibition brings together nearly 400 fascinating and often unique objects, including one of the largest-ever loans of Royal Collection objects to any museum. Created to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Royal River presents the historic Thames in all its glory, from British royal and City events to London’s famous watermen, and the river’s transformation after the notorious ‘Great Stink’.