Visit the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh: tickets, prices, schedules

Are you in the Scottish capital? Don't miss visiting the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh

The Scottish capital does not lack a plump. With its medieval quarters, historic castles, modern quarters and green hills, Edinburgh will surprise you. Famous for its many festivals, shopping arteries, gastronomy and heritage, the city is an ideal destination for a stay with family or friends.

Of course, you will not miss visiting the famous Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland or the underground streets of the city. You may also be tempted by a Whisky tasting, a visit to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art or a walk in the Prince Streets Gardens .

But another visit awaits you: that of the Royal Britannia Yacht. This ambassador of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, moored in the historic port of Leith in Edinburgh, is an indispensable place to visit in Edinburgh. You will discover the former floating palace of Queen Elisabeth, elected number one attraction in Scotland by the VisitScotland National Tourist Agency. This symbol of the power of the British Empire is not likely to disappoint you.

Ready to discover one of the jewels of the British crown? Here is everything you need to know to visit the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh.

History of the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh

Britannia has the peculiarity of being the last of a long line of royal yatch. It was built by John Brown and Co yards in Clydebank, Scotland. The vessel is one hundred and twenty-seven meters long for more than five thousand eight hundred tons.

On 16 March 1953, the Royal Britannia Yacht was baptized by Queen Elizabeth II. A racing yacht with the same name belonged to King Edward VII and then to George V from 1893 to 1936.

The Royal Britannia Yacht was used by the Queen and the Royal Family for exactly nine hundred and sixty-eight official trips. Queen Elisabeth 2 particularly appreciated this exceptional boat. She appreciates the refinement and will tell herself that she feels on Britannia as at home. For nearly forty-four years, the vessel was the official reception site given by the Queen and her family. Banquets and State visits were regularly organized. Britannia was then able to accommodate up to forty-five members of the royal family and five tons of baggage.

In 1994, the British Parliament decided to end the Royal Match career for budgetary reasons. In 1997, the ship made its last trip to Hong Kong, when the city surrendered to China. He finally retired to Portsmouth Harbour in December 1997, after having travelled over a million nautical miles, made six hundred stops and moored in a hundred and thirty-five countries. A busy career!

Today, Britannia is moored in the port of Leith, three kilometres from Edinburgh. Today it is a museum appreciated by tourists.

What to see and do when visiting the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh

To visit the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh, you will first have to enter a huge shopping center. The entrance takes the air of a shop and you can start by discovering explanatory panels on the construction and life of the Royal Britannia Yacht.

Before you board the ship, you will be given an audio guide in French so that you can discover all the details of life aboard the yacht.

The main bridge of the yacht

You will start the ship’s visit by the main deck, the captain’s cabin and the three masts, with a small golden peak. Four other bridges complete the ship. For the little story, know that coins are hidden under the ship's masts. You can also admire the Queen's Rolls Royce in the ship's garage, the official lounges and the luxurious machine room.

You will discover the areas of the Admiral as well as that of the officers and the crew Chambers of officers, non-commissioned officers, messes and bathrooms, the boat is a real floating house. It is important to know that more than two hundred and fifty crew members lived on this ship.

Private apartments of Queen Elizabeth 2 and Prince Philip

You will obviously visit the Queen's and her husband's apartments. The couple’s room is rather simple and unpretentious. You will discover many personal memories, gifts received during trips of royal spouses and family photos. Know that to furnish their room, the couple to use furniture that was previously in the yacht that belonged to George 5. The veranda offers a sumptuous space where the royal family came to relax in privacy, taking a sunbath, or playing a game of palet or hockey. Prince Philip sometimes installed his painting knight and a foldable swimming pool was sometimes mounted to refresh himself.

You will then go to the drawing room who served as a reception room at the Queen. It could accommodate up to two hundred and fifty people. You will discover one of the favorite places of the Queen: the Sun lounge . She loved to go there to read and rest.

Dinner room and operating room

Well, don't miss the dinner room. This huge hall welcomed some of the world's most powerful figures, such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher.

More surprisingly, you'll discover an operating block. The vessel is, in fact, equipped in the event of a serious health problem and has, in particular, been used for rescue operations during the civil war in Aden.

At the end of the tour, a tea room allows you to take a break. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared homemade dishes while enjoying a beautiful view of the port and a warm welcome. The menu includes special coffee and cocktails, tasty soups and sandwiches as well as English cakes and scones. A fun and refined way to slip into the skin of the Queen of England for a moment.

Finally, a shop will allow you to bring back a small souvenir of your visit to the Royal Britannia Yacht.

How to go to the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh

Getting to Edinburgh

To visit the Royal Britannia Yacht, take a flight to Edinburgh. This international airport is perfectly served by many daily flights from most major European cities. You will have no difficulty finding a flight. To get the best price, compare prices on Ulysses before you book.

Getting Yacht Royal Britannia to Edinburgh

You can take bus lines 11, 22 and 35 towards the Ocean Terminal to visit the Royal Britannia Yacht. Take about thirty minutes from Edinburgh city centre.

Once at the terminal, the vessel’s entrance is on the second floor of the mall.

Schedules and Rates of the Royal Britannia Yacht

What time is the Royal Britannia Yacht?

• From January to March: from 10:00 to 15:30
• From April to October: from 09:30 to 16:30
• From November to December: from 10:00 to 15:30

The Royal Britannia Yacht is closed on December 25 and January 1.

How much does a visit to the royal yacht Britannia cost?

• Adult: £16.50 or about 19 euros
• Child between 5 and 17 years old: £8,75 or about 10 euros
• Child under 5 years old: free
• Seniors (over 60 years old): £14.50 or about 16.75 euros
• Students: £14.50 or about Euro16.75
• Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £46.00 or about 53 euros

Nearby attractions near the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh

If you have a little time left, you may like to visit:

• Royal Edinburgh Botanical Garden
• Calton Hill
• The National Gallery of Portraits of Scotland
• The Palace of Holyrood
• Scottish Parliament

Did you have the chance to visit the Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh? Share your impressions in comment !