Royal Museums Greenwich has unveiled its October 2026 programme, with free bug-themed half term workshops and shows, astronomer-led planetarium sessions and character encounters for families across the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and the Queen’s House in south east London.
With the Royal Observatory partly closed for major redevelopment, much of the astronomy fun has moved down the hill to the National Maritime Museum this year. Here is what is on for families this month.
Royal Museums Greenwich half term events: bugs take over
The October half term programme has a creepy crawly theme, and most of it is free.
Bug Detectives (27 and 30 October, 11am and 3pm) lets children aged 5 to 13 step into the shoes of a museum conservator. They will learn how the team tracks, traps and identifies the tiny pests that would happily munch through the collection. Free, in the National Maritime Museum’s Lecture Theatre.
Great Big Bug Show (28 and 29 October, 11am and 2pm) sees poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko explore the world of minibeasts through music and song. This interactive show is aimed at children aged 3 to 12 and is free, on the Ocean Map at the National Maritime Museum.
Creepy Crawly Crafts runs at the National Maritime Museum on 28, 29 and 30 October (11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm) for ages 3 to 12, and is free. Children make their own bug to take home. A similar crafts session runs aboard Cutty Sark on 27, 28 and 29 October for ages 5 to 13, free with admission to the ship.
Astronomy for families at the National Maritime Museum
The Peter Harrison Planetarium, Modern Astronomy galleries and Altazimuth Pavilion at the Royal Observatory have closed for the “First Light” redevelopment, due to finish in spring 2028. The Prime Meridian line, Meridian Observatory and Flamsteed House remain open, and the Royal Observatory’s astronomers have relocated to the National Maritime Museum in the meantime.
Astronomers Take Over is a hands-on family space in the museum’s Special Exhibitions Gallery. Visitors can meet real astronomers, join science demonstrations and watch shows in a temporary planetarium. Tickets start from £8 for the experience only, with a higher price including the planetarium.
Unboxing the Universe is a live science show on weekends at 1.30pm and 3.30pm during term time, with demonstrations, audience participation and the chance to put your biggest space questions to an astronomer. Recommended for ages 7 and over, tickets £16.
Astronomy and Islam: Family Special (10 October, 10.10am to 11.30am) explores the links between Islam and astronomy in a planetarium experience followed by a workshop. Families will learn how to spot the next New Crescent Moon and hear the stories behind Arabic constellations. Suitable for children over 7.
Astronomy LEGO Brick Club takes place every Friday afternoon, with LEGO and DUPLO building inspired by space, time and navigation. It is free and recommended for children under 12 and their families.
Up at the Royal Observatory itself, families can touch Luke Jerram’s new Mirror Moon sculpture, a giant mirrored Moon mapped with NASA data so you can run your fingers over its craters and mountains. It is free with Royal Observatory entry. Weekend Observatory Unlocked talks and activities (11am to 2.30pm, ages 7 and over) are also included in admission.
Cutty Sark family activities in October
Cutty Sark’s resident shanty groups, Swinging the Lead and The HogEye Men, will perform traditional sea shanties in the ‘Tween Deck on 3 and 4 October at 11.45am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
Character Encounters bring the ship’s history to life on 10, 11, 17 and 18 October and every day from 24 to 31 October (10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm). Families can meet Captain Woodget, builder Jock Willis, Nannie the figurehead and cook James Robson.
For under-5s, Ship Mates play sessions run on 7, 14 and 21 October at 10.30am, 12pm and 1.30pm. Adults pay £5 and under-5s go free. Older children can pick up a free Ship Keeper’s Kit at the admissions desk, and daily Highlights Tours run at 12pm and 2pm (adult £5, child £2.50).
All of these, apart from Ship Mates and the Highlights Tour, are free with admission to the ship.
Queen’s House turns 10
The Queen’s House is celebrating 10 years since its transformation, which reopened it to the public on 11 October 2016. An Anniversary Celebration weekend on 10 and 11 October (11.30am to 3.30pm) features a mix of free and ticketed talks, tours and events, suitable for all ages.
Free Queen’s House Characters performances also take place on 4, 18 and 25 October at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
More free family sessions at the National Maritime Museum
- Character Encounters: meet sailor John Simmonds, Tamara the Time Traveller and Alice the Pirate on 3, 10, 17 and 24 October. Free.
- Discover Sundays: artist-led creative sessions for under-13s, Sundays in term time, 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. Free.
- Play Tuesdays: songs, stories and play for under-5s, Tuesdays in term time. £4 per child and adult, under 6 months free.
- Baby Yoga: a maritime-themed session for babies under one and their grown-ups on 9 October. £10.
- SENsory Sailors: a free session for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities on 10 October, 11am to 12.30pm.
- Safe Harbour: a free workshop for foster and adoptive families on 31 October, 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Older children who enjoy coding can head to the free CoderDojo at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre near Kidbrooke on 3 October (10.30am to 12pm, ages 7 to 17).
Plan your visit
The National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark are open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4.30pm. General admission to the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House is free, but you will need to book a timed ticket in advance. Charges apply for the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark.
The sites are a short walk from Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich and Maze Hill stations. Full listings and tickets are available at rmg.co.uk.
