An impressive vessel with a rich heritage

Popular plate: The tea room on board the ship is an excellent place to stop for a traditional English afternoon tea, but offers little to suit a larger appetite.

Once the official Royal Yacht of Queen Elizabeth II, transporting the monarch to a variety of engagements all around the world, the Britannia has since reinvented itself as quite possibly Britain’s finest exhibition ship. Permanently moored in Leith, the imposing vessel maintains its original design and function, so members of the public can explore everything from the high-tech command deck to the grandiose rooms where the royal family lived whilst at sea.

The ship is also home to a number of exhibitions about life aboard the ship, giving visitors a real insight into daily life for the 300-plus crew. All in all, the impressive Royal Yacht offers an alternative angle on British history through a seafaring lens.