Is the Royal Yacht Britannia worth Visiting?
Is the Royal Yacht Britannia worth Visiting? – The Royal Yacht Britannia recently won the best historic attraction award from Which so that’s a very positive start. There are five decks of ship to explore, including the Queen’s bedroom, the honeymoon suite, a fleet of v cool vehicles plus a corgi treasure trail for kids. This attraction works in all weather, but makes an excellent Edinburgh rainy day activity, so here’s the lowdown.
After decommissioning in 1997, the esteemed Royal Yacht could have docked anywhere. Competition was fierce to host it, but the pitch that won brought the vessel to Leith . Visitors get a real ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ experience comparing how the Royals lived, in contrast with the ‘work hard play hard crew’.
You can get to Leith via bus, tram, taxi or the hop on/hop off bus . The tour bus is cancellable 24 hours beforehand so book now and decide later. Access to the ship is through the Britannia reception area within the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre (which is also home to shops and a soft play centre). Pick up your audio guide at the Britannia reception, which is v simple to operate. Then it’s time to step aboard.
The tour starts at the bridge with all the steering, gadgets and power, and great views over the bow where the Royals would position themselves to wave at the crowds. Then you visit the Verandah deck with its thick teak floors that had to be cleaned daily by 8am without disturbing the Royals. This was an area for games, sunbathing, events, whatever was required. My favourite room came next, the Sun Lounge (pics above). Turns out it was the Queen’s favourite room too. It’s airy and relaxed and the sea views must have been fantastic.
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Within the State rooms things get intimate. It’s fascinating to see the relatively simple bedrooms of the Queen and Prince Philip, plus the honeymoon suite installed at Prince Charles’ request. I was drawn to the relaxed country feel of the chintz State Drawing Room (above). It’s nowhere near as grand as it sounds, and appears to be a comfortable family room. On the other hand, the Dining Room feels appropriately formal and has hosted SO many international leaders the mind reels.
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On the lower decks discover the quirky lives of the crew. The segregation between ranks is clear, with different bars and restaurants reserved for different sailors. Tales of a toy wallaby in a ceiling fan, plus a wooden monkey make it clear the crew got up to a fair amount of mischief.
The practical side of the ship is also clear – this prestigious ships was carrying the Queen after all and required everything she may require to look amazing, keep healthy and keep safe. There’s a huge floating laundry room, a very well-equipped sick bay for any emergency, plus a fleet of vehicles including a grand Rolls Royce, a Landrover and a v James Bond style landing vessel.
Finally, take a coffee break or have lunch at The Royal Deck Tea Room. It’s only open to those who visit Britannia so should never get too busy.
Families – Is the Royal Yacht Britannia worth Visiting?
When your kids have completed the Corgi Trail and found all the corgis hidden around the ship, they can claim a badge in the gift shop. The gift shop is extensive, and also sells soft toy corgis if you wish to take one home.
Find the best afternoon teas in Edinburgh here.
Where to Stay
View our favourite apartments in Edinburgh here.
Browse accommodation in Leith/Edinburgh here . Or book into the yacht’s partner ship, Fingal . Fingal is a former Lighthouse Board vessel that underwent a £5 million conversion to become a luxury floating hotel. It’s really something! Royalty has stayed here when conducting business aboard Britannia. And any guest aboard Fingal receives complimentary tickets to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Fingal’s restaurant boasts two AA rosettes, and welcomes non-residents too. I enjoyed my starter of Orkney scallops with ruby grapefruit and taramasalata. Then I opted for a vegetarian main, and it really delivered – harisa roast celeriac with hispi cabbage and potato fondant.
Afternoon tea is also available, served Wednesday – Sunday from 12.30pm – 3.30pm. It starts with an amuse bouche of sweet potato velouté. The savoury highlight for me was the Wye Valley asparagus and chorizo tart. And the sweet treats included a gorgeous Amaretto and raspberry white chocolate bar and a lemon and poppyseed macaron.
Have a glorious time in Edinburgh.
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If you found this guide helped you plan a break then please consider subscribing here or buy us a cuppa to support our work. Please join the conversation on Facebook, or check out the bonny photos on Instagram . For any queries or opportunities please email [email protected] . Content and images copyright of Scots2Travel. Contains affiliate links. Check out our Privacy Policy here . I visited Fingal on a press trip, receiving complimentary DBB and stay with Afternoon Tea.
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The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]
The Royal Yacht Britannia is scheduled to be closed 9 & 10 October for planned building works beyond our control
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Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023 - 2024
Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission..
Start your tour at our entrance on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal.
A great day out for all the family, explore each of the five decks at this top attraction in Edinburgh and discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace.
(Last Admission 6pm)
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Pre-book your tickets to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia, top attraction in Leith.
Hogmanay Aboard Britannia
Celebrate the New Year aboard the Royal Yacht
Homemade soups, sandwiches and cakes, along with speciality teas and coffees.
Apply for 12 months' free admission after your first visit.
Stay at our luxury floating hotel, Fingal, Tripadvisor's No1. UK Luxury Hotel, AA Hotel of the Year Scotland.
Visiting Britannia
TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 - 2024
The Royal Yacht Britannia is scheduled to be closed 9 & 10 October for planned building works beyond our control.
Click on the Visit page for more information before you visit.
Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!
Fingal Hotel
Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal. Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea.
TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK LUXURY HOTEL TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK SMALL & BOUTIQUE HOTEL AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes
Learn more: fingal.co.uk
COMMENTS
It was a custom built royal yacht. In the show Philip said that it was basically a WWII cruiser but he meant mechanically. In the show they have the queen launching Britannia as a yacht.
I'd say the best thing is the Royal Yacht Britannia. An absolute wealth of more recent royal history in this yacht and is a great visit. York: There is a small museum about Richard III who is the royal with biggest association with York.
Britainnia was the last in a long line of royal yachts dating back centuries. In the era before safe, reliable air travel & good road transport, the royal yacht had a very important function. Well into Elizabeth's reign that remained true. Britainnia featured in dozens of her royal tours.
Located at Ocean Terminal and accessed through the large shopping centre, the Royal Yacht Britannia is a must-see visitor attraction. Each level of the Queen's favourite floating home is accessed from at tower with stairs and lifts - no climb steep and narrow steps.
Royal Yacht Britannia. 23,631 reviews. #1 of 543 things to do in Edinburgh. Speciality MuseumsShips. Closed now. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Write a review. About. Step aboard Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating palace and experience this iconic attraction for yourself.
What a pleasure to know that you had a worthwhile visit aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia, discovering what it was like to travel the globe by sea for the Royal Family and crew of Royal Yachtsmen. Our dedicated Maintenance and Housekeeping teams do work very hard to keep the Yacht looking shipshape.
There are five decks of ship to explore, including the Queen’s bedroom, the honeymoon suite, a fleet of v cool vehicles plus a corgi treasure trail for kids. This attraction works in all weather, but makes an excellent Edinburgh rainy day activity, so here’s the lowdown.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is a five-star visitor attraction in Edinburgh. Britannia welcomes over 390,000 visitors a year from all over the world.
Royal Yacht Britannia. 23,619 reviews. #1 of 543 things to do in Edinburgh. Speciality MuseumsShips. Closed now. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Write a review. About. Step aboard Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating palace and experience this iconic attraction for yourself.
That decision “signalled the end of an unbroken succession of royal yachts dating back to the reign of King Charles II”, the Duke wrote in Britannia’s official history in 2003. The new ship would be crewed by the Royal Navy, senior sources said.