Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6JJ
The Royal Yacht Britannia first launched in 1953 was the official seafaring vessel of Queen Elizabeth II and the British royal family for over four decades. Used for state visits, royal vacations, and diplomatic trips, the vessel is now a popular tourist attraction moored in Edinburgh where it offers a fascinating glimpse into royal life.
Throughout its working life, the Royal Yacht Britannia was the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II during her overseas tours, sailing over one million miles around the world while promoting British interests abroad.
The vessel is now kept in immaculate condition by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust and is open year-round for visitors to follow in the footsteps of world leaders as they explore the royal’s private quarters and the below-deck rooms. Self-guided audio tours will take you to every nook and cranny of this enormous ship while information panels explain what life would have been like on board the vessel in its heyday.
There’s also an excellent restaurant onboard on the upper deck as well as a gift shop in the visitor centre, and as Britannia is moored alongside Ocean Terminal you can easily visit the restaurants, shops, and cinema that the waterfront shopping complex has to offer.
1: The Royal Yacht Britannia served as the floating residence of the British Royal Family for over 40 years. Exploring this iconic vessel gives you a unique opportunity to delve into the fascinating maritime history of the Royal Family and discover the stories behind their voyages and state visits.
2: The Royal Yacht Britannia has been meticulously preserved since its decommissioning in 1997. As you explore the ship, you’ll be able to view the opulent interiors which include the State Apartments, the Royal Bedrooms, and the impressive Royal Deck Tea Room.
3: The Royal Yacht Britannia is located in the historic port of Leith, just a short distance from Edinburgh’s city centre. The yacht is docked permanently, allowing visitors to soak in the waterfront views while they explore the vessel. After your visit, you can take a walk to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Leith with its charming shops and restaurants.
1: Although the tickets are a wee bit pricey there’s a lot to see so you’ll spend a good 2-3 hours on Britannia. While the tickets are expensive if you only make one visit, they allow unlimited re-entry for one year, so keep hold of them in case you decide to return another day.
2: Ocean Terminal is a nice shopping centre with a cinema and several cafes and restaurants. You could easily stretch your Britannia visit to last most of the day if you use those facilities.
3: If you want to explore the city centre after a visit to Britannia take Lothian Bus services 11, 22, 34, 35 and 36. Highlights of Edinburgh include Edinburgh Castle (obviously), Calton Hill , The Scott Monument , Holyrood Park and Holyrood Palace .
The ship is entered via the visitor centre in Ocean Terminal which is situated on the top floor of the shopping mall. As you walk around Britannia’s five main decks on a self-guided tour you can listen to an audio guide that explains what life was like on board not only for the royal inhabitants but also for the Royal Navy crew that manned it during its voyages.
Starting at the bridge you pass through the state apartments, the crew quarters, and the engine room before finally reaching the racing yacht Bloodhound which is part of an interesting royal sailing exhibition.
There are many highlights of this ship that all family members will enjoy – including the huge state banquet room with its massive dining table and the gleaming Rolls Royce Phantom that used to travel on the ship along with the Royal Family.
If you fancy a wee treat you can pick up some delicious homemade fudge in the NAAFI sweet shop. but make sure you leave enough room for the Royal Deck Tea Room where you can sample top-notch Scottish cuisine as well as coffee and sandwiches. The entry ticket includes free re-admittance for one year so if you ever go back to Ocean Terminal you could always take another visit just for the restaurant.
Britannia was built at the Clydebank shipyards near Glasgow and successfully launched in 1953, with its maiden voyage to Malta beginning in 1954. During its time at sea, Britannia was manned by volunteers from the Royal Navy, some of whom liked it so much they served onboard for over 20 years.
Whenever royalty was on the vessel a full troop of Royal Marines accompanied them, and during this time they would have sailed around the globe several times as the royal family undertook their ambassadorial duties in almost every nation on earth. Britannia also performed services as an aid ship, evacuating over 1,000 refugees from the civil war in Aden in 1986, and was ready to be converted into a hospital ship at a moment’s notice.
Britannia was eventually decommissioned in 1997 after mounting political pressure regarding the cost of maintenance made its continued use impossible. The ship was finally tied up at Ocean Terminal where The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust was set up to look after it. Today, more than 300,000 people visit the Royal Yacht Britannia each year, making it one of the top five tourist attractions in Scotland.
Check out the Britannia Visitor Centre : Start your visit at the Britannia Visitor Centre located in Ocean Terminal. There, you can discover Britannia’s fascinating history through exhibits and photographs before you step aboard the yacht itself.
Explore the Royal Yacht Britannia : Step aboard the British monarch’s former floating palace and explore the state apartments, crew’s quarters, and engine room. This magnificent ship offers a unique glimpse into royal life at sea thanks to audio guides which are included in the ticket price.
Tea at The Royal Deck Tea Room : After your tour, unwind at the Royal Deck Tea Room. Enjoy traditional teas, delicious cakes, sandwiches, and spectacular views of the docks and the Firth of Forth . It’s a great way to reflect on your visit to Britannia before deciding where to go next.
Attend a Special Event : The Royal Yacht Britannia hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from Hogmanay celebrations to Burn’s Night suppers . To see which events are coming up next, head to the official Royal Yacht Britannia website .
Visit The Gift Shop : You cannot miss Britannia’s gift shop in Ocean Terminal which offers a wide range of exclusive gifts and souvenirs. From royal memorabilia to nautical-themed toys, you’re bound to find the perfect memento for your visit.
Ocean Terminal . 74 Ocean Dr., Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ. 2-minute walk. A large shopping centre that’s one of the first arrival points for ships sailing into the Firth of Forth. Ocean Terminal contains a collection of restaurants, coffee shops, and department stores.
Leith . 8-minute walk. A vibrant and historic area of Edinburgh that is renowned for its trendy bars and restaurants. Leith is architecturally significant for the number of restored Victorian warehouses that line Commercial Street and Bernard Street. Some of Scotland’s best restaurants are located in Leith, including The Kitchin and Wishart.
The Water of Leith . Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6HE. 11-minute walk. A walkway that runs for 12 miles from the Colzium Hills outside of Edinburgh to Leith. The majority of the path is set on quiet pavement that runs alongside the river. Much loved by locals for its wildlife.
Leith Links . 4 Links Gardens, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 8AA. 18-minute walk. Informal gardens and a play park that was historically a golf course but has been revamped into a recreation area.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society . The Vaults, 87 Giles St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BZ. 13-minute walk. The Vaults is the main site for the SMWS in Edinburgh. Visitors can sample a range of quality single malt whiskies as well as gins and rums, along with optional expert-led tasting sessions.
Where is the royal yacht britannia berthed.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed at Leith Port in Edinburgh, next to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre. Ocean Terminal is a 15-minute drive from Edinburgh city centre, and the Royal Yacht Britannia Visitor Centre is on the second floor. Address: Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ.
No, the British Royal Family does not currently have a yacht. The last royal yacht was the HMY Britannia, which was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a museum ship in Edinburgh.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is owned and managed by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust.
The Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in 1997 due to maintenance costs and changing politics which meant the yacht was considered unnecessary. It was estimated in 1996 that a refit would cost £17 million and would only prolong the ship’s life for an additional 5 years.
Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .
Her Majesty's Yacht no longer carries the monarch and has been out of service for a quarter of a century
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We're talking of course about Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia. Otherwise simply known as "The Royal Yacht".
The vessel carried royals around the world from 1954 until 1997. And over those 43 years it is said to have clocked up more than a million nautical miles.
No. There have been royal yachts since long before Britannia - which was built at Clydebank in Dunbartonshire. It was the 83rd royal yacht since King Charles II took the throne in 1660 and restored the English monarchy.
It wasn't even the first royal yacht called Britannia. A previous royal yacht called Britannia built for the future King Edward VII in 1893.
Although Britain has been without a royal yacht for a quarter of a century now, there are plans for a new royal ship. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously discussed plans for a 'new national flagship' within the next few years that would potentially fulfil a similar role.
The Britannia carried out its last mission in 1997 when it brought the Prince of Wales and the last Governor of Hong Kong back to the UK after the ceremony to hand the territory over to the People's Republic of China. The Queen, who rarely shows emotion in public, is said to have shed a tier over the decommissioning of the yacht.
The Britannia is now birthed in the Port of Leith in Edinburgh in Scotland. The moored vessel is a tourist popular attraction for visitors to the Scottish capital - who can visit the Queen's bedroom and the yacht's on board garage, among its other features.
The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]
Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission
The ‘Yotties’, the Royal Yachtsmen, had a daily rum ration up until the 1970s.
Once the Royal Family stopped bringing a Rolls Royce on board, the Garage was used as a beer store.
During Britannia's 44 years in service, there were an estimated 3,295 crew who proudly served aboard the Royal Yacht.
Below are lists of the former Officers and Royal Yachtsmen. They were meticulously compiled over a five year period by M J Hill [Lt Cdr Royal Navy, LSA (S) HM Yacht Britannia 1960-63]. We are very grateful to him for his dedication to this project which was first published in October 2013. Please note that this list generally reflects when someone joined Britannia, be it for the first, second, or third time, and what their role was at that time, it does not always take into account any subsequent promotions gained whilst aboard.
Royal Yachtsmen (alphabetical order) Royal Yachtsmen (date joined)
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The Royal Yacht Britannia is scheduled to be closed 7 – 10 October for planned building works out with our control.
Click on the Visit page for more information before you visit.
Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!
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.
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Rusmania • Deep into Russia
The Astrakhan Region is situated in the south of Russia where the River Volga drains into the Caspian Sea forming one of the largest river deltas in Europe. It is also though a land of both deserts and semi-deserts. Historically this area was the location of Sarai-Batu - the original capital of the Golden Horde. The administrative centre is the city of Astrakhan, which arose as a Golden Horde trading point and was annexed into Russia by Ivan the Terrible in the mid-16th century. Today the city is famous for its white kremlin - the most southern kremlin in the whole of Russia.
The best time to visit the Astrakhan Region is in July and August when the lotuses blossom on the Volga Delta and the famous Astrakhan watermelons are harvested. The region is also associated with the black caviar from the Caspian Sea.
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2 Comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Nature , Photos , Regions
The nature of Astrakhan region is unique for Russia. Nowhere else in the country will you be able to find a territory composed of semi-deserts and deserts, where camels live, and the most famous Russian river Volga carries its waters.
Astrakhan oblast is located in the south-east of the East European Plain. The region is situated in the Caspian lowland where the Volga River flows into the Caspian Sea. The region stretches over 400 km in the form of a narrow stripe. Photos by GeoSerzh
Tags: Astrakhan oblast · landscapes
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Hakamdeen Khan india · November 20, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Very Beautifull Astrakhan
Anonymous · November 20, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Beautiful astrakhan
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Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of the British monarchy.She was in their service from 1954 until 1997. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and is the second royal yacht to bear the name, the first being the racing cutter built for the Prince of Wales in 1893. During her 43-year career, the yacht travelled more than a million ...
A Floating Palace. Britannia was launched from the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, on 16 April, 1953. For over 44 years the Royal Yacht served the Royal Family, travelling more than a million nautical miles to become one of the most famous ships in the world. To Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia provided the perfect Royal ...
7. There were more than 200 crew on board. During royal tours, Britannia was manned by 220 yachtsmen, 21 officers and three season officers and a Royal Marine band of 26 on royal tours. Up until the 1970s, the crew had a daily ration of rum and she was the last Royal Navy vessel to have the crew sleep in hammocks. 8.
Hire Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace and experience an event of a lifetime. History. A ship like no other. Shop. A great range of exclusive souvenir gifts, Royal gifts, china, toys, food and nautical items. ... The Royal Yacht Britannia is scheduled to be closed 7 - 10 October for planned building works out with our control.
The royal family has a long history of seafaring—the first official royal yacht was the HMY Mary (HMY stands for His or Her Majesty's Yacht), gifted to Charles II by the Dutch in 1660. In fact ...
1998. After arriving in Leith, Edinburgh on 5 May 1998, The Royal Yacht Britannia opened as a visitor attraction on the 19 October 1998. 2016. The Royal Yacht Britannia, now a five-star visitor attraction and exclusive evening events venue, celebrated welcoming 5 million visitors since opening in 1998. 2019.
The Royal Yacht Britannia was the royal family's private yacht from 1953 to 1997. It's five stories tall, had more than 240 staff, and was known as the queen's "floating palace." Britannia is now ...
As a former Royal Navy Commander, Prince Phillip also saw to the ship's technical details, and his Bluebottle racing yacht inspired the Britannia's navy-hued hull. Outer decks were made of two ...
The Royal Yacht Britannia features in season 5 of the Crown. Find out the true story behind the ship, and why the floating palace was so beloved by the Queen. ... King Charles' coronation could 'never' compare to Queen Elizabeth's 'absolute perfection' says former lady-in-waiting; As captured in The Crown season 5, the Queen truly ...
The Royal Yacht Britannia was the royal family's private yacht from 1953 to 1997. The Queen once said that "Britannia is the one place where I can truly relax." The ship has made several ...
This year marks two major milestones for the iconic Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Family's former yacht, aboard which they would cruise the Western Isles of Scotland each summer. Celebrating both 70 years of service and 25 years as a multi-award-winning floating museum and visitor attraction, this regal yacht is more popular than ever.
2. Britannia was the 83rd Royal Yacht. King George VI, Elizabeth II's father, had first commissioned the royal yacht that would become Britannia in 1952. The previous official boat had belonged to Queen Victoria and was rarely used. The tradition of royal yachts had been started by Charles II in 1660.
An aerial view of the royal yacht Britannia during Charles and Diana's tour of Italy along the Grand Canal on May 5, 1985, Venice, Italy (Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images) ... A former BBC History Magazine section editor, Rhiannon has long been fascinated by history and continues to write for HistoryExtra.com. She has appeared on the ...
Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, also known as the Royal Yacht Britannia, is the former royal yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in service from 1954 until 1997. It currently sits at dock in Scotland. (Photo by David Levenson/Getty Images) The HMY Britannia has been out of commission since 1997, but the last British royal yacht ...
Explore all five decks of the Best UK Attraction and former floating palace of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Hear fascinating stories with your free audio guide. ... (AGAIN) 2023-2024, The Royal Yacht Britannia. For over forty years, the Royal Yacht sailed over one million miles on nearly a thousand official visits for the British Royal Family. Now ...
The Royal Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of HM Queen Elizabeth II and is located at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre in Edinburgh.The yacht is one of Scotland's premier tourist attractions, and visitors can explore it on a self-guided tour that takes them through the main dining hall, the royal family's private quarters, and the engine room.
A previous royal yacht called Britannia built for the future King Edward VII in 1893. Although Britain has been without a royal yacht for a quarter of a century now, there are plans for a new ...
Great British Royal Ships: Royal Yacht Britannia - Queen's Former Floating Palace | UK Documentary#RoyalShips
During Britannia's 44 years in service, there were an estimated 3,295 crew who proudly served aboard the Royal Yacht. Below are lists of the former Officers and Royal Yachtsmen. They were meticulously compiled over a five year period by M J Hill [Lt Cdr Royal Navy, LSA (S) HM Yacht Britannia 1960-63]. We are very grateful to him for his ...
Astrakhan Oblast ( Russian: Астраха́нская о́бласть, romanized : Astrakhanskaya oblastʹ; Kazakh: Астрахан облысы, romanized : Astrahan oblysy) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast) located in southern Russia. Its administrative center is the city of Astrakhan. As of the 2010 Census, its population was ...
The Astrakhan Region is situated in the south of Russia where the River Volga drains into the Caspian Sea forming one of the largest river deltas in Europe. It is also though a land of both deserts and semi-deserts. Historically this area was the location of Sarai-Batu - the original capital of the Golden Horde. The administrative centre is the city of Astrakhan, which arose as a Golden Horde ...
Astrakhan Oblast. Astrakhan Oblast is a region in the Lower Volga, descending from steppe along the Volga to the northwestern Caspian Sea. It borders Volgograd Oblast to the north, Kalmykia to the west, and Kazakhstan to the east. Photo: Alfredovic, CC BY 3.0. Photo: Wikimedia, CC0. Ukraine is facing shortages in its brave fight to survive.
The nature of Astrakhan region is unique for Russia. Nowhere else in the country will you be able to find a territory composed of semi-deserts and deserts, where camels live, and the most famous Russian river Volga carries its waters. Astrakhan oblast is located in the south-east of the East European Plain. The region is situated in the Caspian ...