Welcome
The Royal Yacht Britannia is a 5 star tourist attraction and exclusive use evening events venue, berthed in Leith, Edinburgh. It has been judged Best UK Attraction (Which Magazine readers). Britannia is also Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award winner, and the top 1% in the world in its category.
The Royal Yacht Britannia was home to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family for over 40 years, sailing over 1,000,000 miles around the world. Now berthed in Edinburgh, you can follow in the footsteps of Royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
The Royal Yacht Britannia tour routeVisitor Centre ticket desksThe Royal Deck Rea RoomVisitor Centre toiletsTea Room toiletsGold level toiletsGrey level toiletsThe Royal Deck Tea RoomThe Royal Yacht Britannia Gift ShopOutside areas of The Royal Yacht Britannia tourHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
In order to reach our Visitor Centre from the bus stops use Ocean Terminal's main entrance and proceed to the second floor. This can be accessed by the escalators or by a lift which is located opposite the Waterstones entrance at the rotunda. The Visitor Centre is located near Pure Gym.
Travel by taxi
Parking
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
There is seating available on entry to the Visitor Centre. The area is lit well by both compact fluorescent bulbs and spot-lighting. There is a podium at the front of the Visitor Centre where a member of the team can give information about tickets and the local area..
Getting around inside
Ocean Terminal lift
Lift between decks
Internal Lift
Ticket/ information desk
Visitor Centre ticket desks
The first ticket desk in our Visitor Centre (on the left) has a lower counter area suitable for wheelchair users. The payment/information desks area has a hearing loop. Britannia operates a complimentary ticket policy for carers.
There are 5 wheelchairs available to borrow free of charge. Please ask at our ticket desk, if required. We can offer a pen and pad of paper to assist people in the ticketing area and also have a magnifying glass available.
Things to See and Do
The Royal Yacht Britannia tour route
Many exhibits within the Visitor Centre and on board have a descriptive sign next to them in English.
There is background noise/music on the Bridge, in the Officers’ Wardroom, in the CPO’s and PO’s mess, Royal Sailing Exhibition, Tea Room and Shop.
There are no displays that use flashing lights.
There are guides located along the route who will be delighted to help with any queries or requests.
Seating is provided throughout the tour route.
The Royal Deck Rea Room
The Royal Deck Tea Room can be accessed via the internal lift; please ask our staff if you wish to use this.
If the lift is not required to access The Royal Deck Tea Room, there are external stairs up from the Verandah Deck. There are 15 stairs, with handrails either side. These stairs are original, and narrower in depth than is normally the case.
Public toilet
Visitor Centre toilets
Visitor Centre toilets are located just before you collect your handsets, after you have paid for your tour.
Public toilet
Tea Room toilets
Public toilet
Gold level toilets
Public toilet
Grey level toilets
Please note, there is a slight slope in this toilet, due to the camber.
Shop
The Royal Yacht Britannia Gift Shop
Britannia's gift shop is located within Ocean Terminal shopping centre, adjacent to the Visitor Centre entrance and can be accessed at the end of the tour, or directly from Ocean Terminal, without having to visit Britannia itself.
Access from Ocean Terminal is via an open doorway with a width of 2700mm. On exit from the Britannia tour, the entrance to the Gift Shop is 1700mm in width.
The flooring within the shop is wooden, and level throughout. The tables and fixtures have spacing throughout to enable wheelchairs/pushchairs to browse the shop. Fixtures include shelving units, tables and gondolas.
A magnifying glass is available.
There is background music in the shop and a Britannia DVD which plays on a screen, with sound. There is a hearing loop system within the shop. Britannia staff are happy to offer any assistance where required.
Place to eat and drink
The Royal Deck Tea Room
The Tea Room has 35 tables and can seat 133 people. Table height is 720mm with chairs without arms. Guests are waited on with table service, by our staff.
There are floor to ceiling windows throughout,as well as spot lighting.
The flooring is original wooden deck. The menu caters for vegetarians and there are gluten, wheat free cakes, scones, soups and sandwiches available. Our staff will happily read out the menu to customers. A magnifying glass and reading glasses are available, on request. Please ask a member of our staff.
Crockery is white, with silver tea pots. Our table tops are cream coloured. There are accessible WCs within the Royal Deck Tea Room.
There are high chairs available for younger children, baby changing facilities, bottle and food warming.
All soups served are gluten free with gluten free rolls to accompany them. We also have gluten free bread available for our sandwiches and our potato wedges are gluten free. There are gluten free fruit scones and two gluten and wheat free cakes – the mini ginger loaf and the mocha syrup cake.
Getting around outside
While the majority of the tour is under cover, some areas are out in the open such as the Verandah deck and the area by the Royal Barge.
Please note that the decks can be slippery when wet but our staff will do everything they can to minimse this and will advise of any hazards.
All outside areas are still accessed by the lift towers and are highly accessible.
Customer care support
We provide braille and large print scripts for our audio guides as well as a British sign language tablet. Earphones and lanyards are available for use with our audio guide to allow visitors to keep their hands free.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support
We have an ongoing programme of training with our staff.
There is a first aid room on board and 34 members of staff are trained in general first aid.