Pirates; National Maritime Museum, Greenwich; until 4th Jan 2026; Adults £15, Children from £4
Explore the myth, discover the truth at Pirates at the National Maritime Museum!
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.