The Sammy Ofer Wing: A Sea Change
Latest news
Closures
The outdoor play area, Regatta café and three galleries have now closed. Read more...
HLF grant for new wing
The Heritage Lottery Fund has confirmed a grant of £5m to the new wing. Read more...
Cornerstone unveiled
Sammy Ofer KBE unveils cornerstone of new archive and exhibition wing. Read more...
Construction contractor
Bovis Lend Lease has been chosen as the main construction contractor for the Sammy Ofer Wing. Read more...
Library hours update
Library hours from Jan 2009
Library hours from 2012
A sea change at the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is planning a major new wing. Scheduled to open in 2012 in time for the London Olympics, the custom-designed exhibition spaces and highly accessible archives will drive a sea change in the way the Museum presents its programme to an ever-growing volume of visitors, both from within the UK and internationally.
Why do we need a new wing?
The new wing will open access routes from the Museum to Greenwich Park with a new south entrance.
It will improve the Museum’s key visitor approaches from the Royal Observatory and major transport arrival points, as well as connections with the rest of the World Heritage Site.
The new wing will give visitors a complete sense of what the Museum offers: world-class displays, collections and visitor facilities, all in one accessible configuration.
It features five key elements:
- the new entrance from the south
- a substantial new space for special exhibitions
- an open archive research centre including key iconic objects and interactive galleries
- a stylish new café, brasserie and shop and upgraded visitor facilities
- flexible new learning spaces
Read a personal introduction from the Museum's Director, or more about
what the new wing will provide.
A brief history of the site
The Museum and its surroundings have been evolving since 1820, adapting to meet new needs and challenges. View slideshow
Mr Sammy Ofer, KBE
The new wing has been made possible thanks to a substantial gift by Mr Sammy Ofer, KBE.
FAQs
- How does the building of the new wing fit with the site’s WHS status?
- Will a new building jar with the classic lines of the existing buildings?
- Will a new building have a detrimental impact on the park?
- What is going to happen to the herbaceous border?
- Is the original stone wall being affected?
- Which parts of the border, specifically, will be affected?
- Do the new entrance ramps pass through the border?
- Are any trees being lost as a result of the scheme?



