Former Royal Yacht Britannia

The sun lounge - overlooking this deck - was one of the Queen's favourite places on Britannia. This is the most homely room on the tour, with a relaxed family feel to the surroundings. Here you can imagine Her Majesty escaping from the constant pressures of her state duties, relaxing on a sun lounger, sipping a small sherry while watching her grandchildren play in privacy - far away from the constantly prying eyes of the press.

Prince Philip picked and purchased the room's lightweight, colourful furniture in 1959 during a visit to Hong Kong. The Queen was fond of breakfasting in this room, enjoying the spectacular scenery through the large windows.

Both the Queen and Prince Philip's bedrooms are surprisingly simple. Both had their own bathrooms, and an interconnecting door links the two rooms which are mirror images in design, though each reflects the individual's tastes. While the Queen's pillows have lace borders, Prince Philip preferred a more masculine feel to his room.

If either required a nocturnal snack they pressed a button at the side of their bed to summon a steward, who was constantly on call to tend to their needs.

After viewing the royal quarters, you head back along the portside, downstairs to the section of the ship were food was prepared, served and relished by both officers and royalty. The officers' wardroom, where the 19 serving on Britannia would gather, is akin to a floating gentlemen's club. The large dining room table where they would take their meals dressed in their distinguished red sea rig is adorned by fine crystal.

Serving as an officer on Britannia was an honour that carried some benefits. When the Royal Marine Band was not on royal duty, they would provide a musical accompaniment to the meal. Wines would be taken from Britannia's wine cellars, and at the end of every meal the men would stand and drink a toast to Her Majesty before the musicians played the national anthem. Unusual rooms include the "Jelly Room," where the royal children's desserts were stored.

Although much of the silverware on Britannia is Edwardian it doesn't look dated. That's because exacting standards were required to preserve these treasures. A yachtsman had the pleasure of polishing the massive silverware collection on a daily basis. It is easy to understand why 240 tins of Brasso were brought on board for a three-month deployment!

The royal dining area is the first place on the ship that more closely resembles a museum than a home. The grand polished mahogany dining room table is adorned with gleaming silverware, sparkling candelabras and fine china.

Guests to this table were presented with the menus, printed in French, as a souvenir of their time on Britannia. And even when the royal family dined alone they would always dress for dinner. When Princess Margeret honeymooned on the royal yacht she wore her tiara at every evening meal!

It is a wonderful feeling disembarking Britannia. You feel as if you've just experienced a bit of history. Throughout our lives we have watched pictures of royalty and politicians waving from her decks, and it's really something to feel you've followed in their footsteps.

The free-and-easy feel to the tour and the minimal changes to the layout of the ship, make it easy to understand why Britannia is well on its way to becoming one of the top visitor attractions in Scotland.

Former Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean Drive
Leith
Edinburgh
Tel: (0131) 555 8800

Opening Hours

Britannia is open all year round. Admission times are:

January to March
Weekdays 10.00am - 3.30pm
Weekends 9.30am - 4.30pm

April to May
Weekdays 9.30am to 4pm
Weekends 9.30am to 4.30pm

June to September
Weekdays 9.30am to 4.30pm
Weekends 9.30am to 4.30pm

*Britannia will be closed between 24 September to 3 October 2001 for the yacht's move to Ocean Terminal.

October to December
Weekdays 10am to 3.30pm
Weekends 9.30am to 4.30pm

Britannia is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Admission Charges

Adult - £7.75
Seniors (aged 60+) - £5.95
Child (aged 5-17) - £3.75
Family (2 Adults & up to 3 Children) - £20.00
Students (with ID) -£3.75

The Royal Yacht Britannia is operated by a Charitable Trust and all profits go towards her long-term maintenance.

How to Book

All tickets to visit Britannia must be pre-booked and are sold on a timed entry basis to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of all our visitors. We recommend that you allow 1½ to 2 hours for your visit.

By Telephone: Our credit card booking and information line is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm. We look forward to taking your calls on (0131) 555 5566. Please note that if you require your tickets to be posted to you an administration charge of £1 will apply.

By Post: If you would prefer to book your tickets by cheque or postal order, please write to The Booking Office, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ. Please send the appropriate amount stating your preferred time and date of visit along with your full contact details. Please note that if you require your tickets to be posted to you an administration charge of £1 will apply.

In Person: Tickets can also be purchased in person from The Britannia Visitor Centre. A limited number of tickets can also be purchased in person from our own reception desk, although, admission cannot be guaranteed for personal callers at weekends, holidays and other busy times of the year.

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