Cutty Sark

If you need a fun place to take the kids in London, take them to the Cutty Sark.  I'm serious, it was an exhibit built with kids in mind.  I was relieved that it was a museum where the kids could touch almost everything and I didn't have to stress about them breaking things.  

Our fearless crew.  

We worked our way from the bottom to the top.  A special dry dock was built for the Cutty Sark so that visitors are able to walk around under the hull and see the whole ship.  The hull is made from copper and zinc and they call it their golden hull.  Kelton trying to hold up the whole ship by himself.  

There is also a great collection of figure heads underneath, it's one of the largest in the world.  The kids picked out their favorites: an eagle, a dog, Hiawatha, Abraham Lincoln, although none of them chose Cutty Sark's which is Nannie.  She is a witch from a Scottish poem and she's holding a horses tail.  

Listening to various people's experiences with the Cutty Sark.  

Daxton liked chasing the fish on these screens.

The front of the hull

On the lower deck we walked through the hold that held the tea imported from China.  10,000 chests of tea could fit on her lower deck.  But she also transported wool, coal, shark bones, paper and pianos.  We were able to see the original frame and planks that had been left exposed too,

The tween deck got Cambrie's attention.  A deck built just for her!  

The highlights of this exhibit were the rocking seats that moved with the motion of the ocean.  

And a game where the kids had to use the trade-winds and currents to navigate their ship from Australia to London.  

Using their hands and noses to try to identify what products are packed in the crates.  

The original spy glass and megaphone used by Captain Woodget.  

Up on the upper the kids loved looking at all of the ropes in the rigging.  It made Moana's little boat seem like a child's toy.  

We also saw riggers up top cleaning and preserving the ropes, and Kelton really wanted to join them.  

The kids were actually allowed to climb in the sailor's bunks.  

They also put on some of the costumes worn by sailors of that era.  

The captains quarters were much more comfortable than the rest of the crew's.  We thought that the swinging cup holder above his dining table was pretty creative.  

Watch out everyone, kids at the wheel!