Top things to do at Hull Maritime Museum

The Sailor's Night Sky

The Sailor's Night Sky

How did sailors cross oceans before maps, satellites and GPS? Join a young explorer and her grandfather as they discover the stars, constellations and navigational tools that helped generations of mariners find their way. This family-friendly 8-minute immersive film experience combines storytelling, astronomy and maritime history and includes audio description throughout.

Booking Information

Tickets for this experience are available onsite only.

Admission to Hull Maritime Museum can be booked in advance, but tickets for this activity must be purchased at the museum on the day of your visit, subject to availability.

Behind the Scenes: Open Store Tour

Step behind the scenes and explore our open store on a guided tour led by our Visitor Experience team. Discover rarely seen maritime objects, uncover the stories behind them, and learn how we care for and preserve Hull’s rich maritime heritage. - Available from September

Booking Information

Tickets for this experience are available onsite only.

Admission to Hull Maritime Museum can be booked in advance, but tickets for this activity must be purchased at the museum on the day of your visit, subject to availability.

Gallery Spotlight Talks 

Join our Visitor Experience Team as they reveal hidden stories, remarkable objects and fascinating features from around the museum. Informal, engaging and discussion-led, each spotlight talk is chosen by the team and offers a fresh perspective on the collections and the building itself. 

Take a moment to stop, listen, ask questions and discover something new during your visit.  

These short, relaxed talks take place in the galleries at quieter times throughout the day. No booking required. 

Object Encounters 

Take a closer look at museum objects with our friendly Visitor Experience Volunteers. These informal, drop-in sessions take place throughout the galleries and explore different themes inspired by the collections on display. Discover intriguing stories, ask questions and enjoy a hands-on encounter with history during your visit. 

Maritime Explorer Backpacks: Explore, Discover, Question 

Borrow a Maritime Explorer Backpack and discover the museum in your own way. Designed to encourage curiosity and exploration, the backpacks are filled with activities, prompts and tools to help children and families look more closely at the galleries and engage with the displays around them. 

There are no right or wrong answers, just plenty of opportunities to observe, ask questions, share ideas and make discoveries together. Whether you're examining a ship model, investigating a historic object or exploring the museum's spaces, the backpack helps turn every visit into an adventure.

Family Discovery Trail 

Put your observation and problem-solving skills to the test with our family activity trail. Explore the museum through a series of interactive challenges. 

As you make your way through the galleries, you'll be encouraged to investigate, question, design and think like an engineer, scientist or explorer.  

Suitable for families with children of all ages, the trail offers a fun and engaging way to discover the museum  

Pick up a trail and start exploring at your own pace.