HMS Unicorn
HMS Unicorn
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
HMS Unicorn is one of the UK's most unique visitor attractions and a real treasure in the city of Discovery! A fascinating journey through time, we will guide you through the ship’s journey from a Georgian warship to becoming Dundee’s Royal Naval base during both World Wars. Built in 1824, she is the 3rd oldest ship still afloat in the world today and the most original old ship in existence. Come aboard for the unique opportunity to explore all four decks of the ship and get hands on with knot tying, try out our hammocks, learn about our armament and more! Take a tour of the ship using our brand-new guidebook, or if you're lucky, a guided tour from one of our fantastic volunteers before finishing off with a visit to our gift shop.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Joanne R
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    a great place to visit
    This is one of the best historic attractions in Dundee. The Volunteers are enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable. All staff are welcoming, polite and helpful. We have been a number of times over the years, three times with different educational groups, and many times as a family. It is also a wonderful place for young people or others to volunteer, where they gain work experience, are well trained in developing the skills they need and will enjoy the sense of community on board the ship.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 September 2023
  • Neil R
    Cumbernauld, United Kingdom13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great attraction.
    A great visit to a seriously under advertised historical battleship from the time of George IV. moored not far from Dundee city centre. Very enthusiastic volunteers were on hand to guide and explain the layout and workings of the ship and its crew. The only drawback was the height difference from the date of the ship's launch till now. Apparently the average height of people then was 5 foot 4 inches and that was reflected in the ceiling heights so care must be taken to avoid bumping your head. Staff were all very knowledgable and friendly and it seems a shame more people are not aware of Unicrn's presence. Give it a look.
    Visited September 2023
    Written 26 September 2023
  • glitrberi
    86 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Maritime History
    This is a definite must-see! If you get there in time for a tour do it. My tour guide was Beth and she was very knowledgeable and personable. You could tell she really cared about the ship and its history. When you visit, make sure you pay your respects to Diego the cat, who is the honorary captain of the ship!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 19 October 2023
  • Mark
    Sheffield, United Kingdom705 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Low beams
    This was one other attraction I had pencilled in, and had mixed feelings.The ship is full of history and there's loads to keep you occupied as you travel the 4 decks, inside was great but externally it is in need of extensive repairs,but don't let appearances but you off.The staff were great and answered all the questions put to them, they have a real love for the ship and hope it can be restored to even a small part if its former glory. Just a heads up the bottom decks are low, and a mean low, so be prepared for a bit of a stoop, not sure how the crew managed. In all a great end to my few days in Dundee
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 October 2023
  • hespenal
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A hidden gem within the heart of the dockland
    Walking along the street toward the berth at which the vessel is moored, we both looked at one and other and thought...... blimey. Is this a real venue? Luckily we sucked it up and stepped aboard and with that we were warmly greeted by the front desk person who ensured we were well informed and welcomed. As far as 200yo vessels go, its amazing to think it still floats and as complete as it is. A great many number of artefacts and stories to be read and hear as part of the joined up tour. 100% recommend a visit to anyone.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 November 2023
  • Andythebaggie
    Birmingham, United Kingdom3,224 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fab Georgian era naval survivor!
    The unicorn is situated a street in from the waterfront close to Discovery point, so conveniently both sites can be done in one day. The ship unusually has the roof it was built with, as it never saw active service this was not removed. It does add to the unusual appearance. We were welcomed on board by the friendly staff and Diego the ships cat. Then it’s back to the quayside to watch an informative video in a small cinema. We were fortunate that Robert a knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteer offered to show us round in a guided tour. There are 4 decks to explore and the headroom gets lower the further you descend. It’s interesting to see the improvements in shipbuilding techniques since the napoleonic era. One of the highlights was the doors taken from an impudent French man of war at Trafalgar! The Unicorn still has most of its original timbers, so it the most complete historic ship still surviving. Definitely a museum worth visiting,
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 November 2023
  • Meg F
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic experience!
    The ship is a hidden gem! It was really well maintained and clean. We had a fantastic tour with David who was friendly, informative and always reminding us to watch our heads to keep safe. There is lots of engaging educational boards, videos and interactive points throughout the ship. Every member of staff was really welcoming and friendly. We would highly recommend.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 November 2023
  • Kiera K
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely recommend! Fantastic experience!
    We visited HMS Unicorn and went on a guided tour done by Tony. Tony was very informative, engaging and answered any additional questions we had. As someone who would say they aren't that interested in history, I was fully invested in finding out more about this fantastic ships history. The stories we were told were inmersive and I could imagine myself being on board back in the day. Definitely a trip worth taking, whether interested or not in history! I'll definitely be back! Thank you so much HMS Unicorn!
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 9 December 2023
  • Gordon850
    Perth, United Kingdom74 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great attraction.
    Visited here today with my son after lunch. Apart from another couple we were the only visitors, so took advantage of a guided tour by one of the staff. You wouldn't need to be particularly interested in ships to really enjoy the visit here, but as a marine biologist I was perhaps a bit biased! Very well laid out, with informative interpretation boards and optional audio points. Got to handle a cannonball, as well as chain shot next to the glass fibre replica cannon which had me fooled - apparently the original ones are now too heavy for the decks. Ventured down to the hold where head space was extremely low ( and I felt my age bending over!) but again, well worth the effort. All 3 staff we met were very welcoming and informative, not forgetting the large resident cat who submitted to getting stroked. Thoroughly recommend here for a visit, and I'll probably come back later with my wife to show her how good it is.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 December 2023
  • Charlotte F
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great visit for adults and children
    Really great visit. Very helpful and friendly staff, a very well preserved boat with an interesting story and 4 amazing decks to visit. They also have little hunts to do for the kids so the parents can take the time to read or listen to the boat's story. Convenient QR code system to replace the audio guides. Definitely worth a visit !
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 January 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles655 reviews
Excellent
456
Very good
154
Average
26
Poor
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10

namenotgiven
UK34 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
We planned holiday dates around its supposed opening hours and booked trains to Dundee only to find out on the eve of our intended visit that it is in fact shut. This contradicts the information given when we phoned up a month ago - and two of us phoned separately and got the same answer so not a one-off mistake. So disappointed.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review, and I'm sorry your experience was not what you had hoped for. Our opening hours this year, particularly over the festive period, had changed from previous years and I apologise that this obviously caused some confusion. However our opening hours are always available online through our website and social media channels - with any changes to our hours published promptly. We hope that moving forward in to 2020 you might be able to visit us and have the opportunity to explore Scotland's Oldest Ship as expected!
Written 9 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Emma A
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
Thanks to Beth, who gave us a fun, interesting and thorough tour of this brilliant ship. She took us to all the nooks and crannies and had a great supply of knowledge about the nitty gritty of life aboard the ship. Beth and the other member of staff (really sorry that I cannot remember his name) were friendly and enthusiastic on a very damp, cold quiet day in November.

We even got a friendly blink from the ship's cat (who has his own story)!

Fantastic attraction, with lots of information if you want it, or just to wander around a very atmospheric and genuine ship.
Written 20 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Caroline S
Dundee, UK121 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Friends
A great historical experience, most interesting and informative, most knowledgeable staff was Tony, who answered all our questions and more. A good experience for kiddies too with lots of interactive ,puzzles and games. Would suggest they have a "Wishing Well" or similar to make donations as the renovation will be extortionate! Can't wait to return with my grandchildren !
Written 22 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

caleyfan
3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Couples
A well spent couple of hours visiting HMS Unicorn. Very unassuming vessel from the outside and not very well advertised but don't be fooled by the exterior. Once inside our personal and very informative guide, Bob showed us round and explained the history and workings of this ship. A Great insight into what it would be like to have served on board.
They are actively seeking funds to upgrade the exterior so a visit is money well spent.
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Miriam A
Peebles, Scotland, United Kingdom95 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
Really interesting experience. Spent nearly 2 hours in there - lots to see and very helpful staff/volunteers. Be prepared for steep steps and bending down as some of the ceilings are very low - but it's great to imagine what it must have been like with 200 men on board. Highly recommend a visit. There's a film you can watch first to set the scene and then go round. There was a volunteer who could talk you through the history and she was lovely and very knowledgeable and there were QR codes if you wanted your own audio tour - or interesting information panels.
Written 9 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bea W
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
I took my grandchildren here for a boat making workshop and we all had a fantastic time. The lady in charge of the workshop was a credit to the ship. She kept everyone motivated and engaged in making and racing the boats despite looking a little rushed at times.
After the activity we explored the rest of the ship using the trails provided and you were able to get access to lots of hidden places around the ship. It was very historical and educational about what life was like on an ancient ship.
Written 15 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gordon R
Elgin, UK2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
Brilliant attraction, staff were all very friendly and on hand to provide information and advice. I would certainly recommend as it was very interesting to see the ship and learn about the history of it. Free to roam through and take your time to absorb the information with friendly approachable staff on hand to provide information.
10/10 - would recommend to anyone and will definitely re-visit in the future.
Written 25 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rich F
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Volunteer guides were extremely interested and interesting - great knowledge and enthusiasm. A museum where you are really part of the exhibit, wandering through the ship with access to virtually all areas. Stooping to walk the lower decks really left a vivid impression of what life must have been like for the sailors on board. Will be back again as impossible to take in all the information in one visit. Just incredible to think 100 years on from this wooden warship's construction we had developed nuclear-powered submarines and spaceships to the moon!
Written 22 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dominic W
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
The guide gave a fantastic tour of HMS Unicorn. It was full of detailed and expert knowledge and brought to life with originality and great humour. I discovered so many of the sayings I hear and say sometimes myself (sling your hook; toe the line; show a leg; freeze the balls off a brass monkey), and discovered they come directly from life on board ships like this! Really enjoyed it, thanks.
Written 4 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debby D
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
As a family of four we visited HMS Unicorn in Dundee. You are allowed on all four decks and there’s lots to see and learn. There are parts you can get your hands on and both children (5 & 8) loved trying out a hammock, putting on the captains hat, meeting Diego the grumpy ships cat, trying to tie sailors knots and colouring/word searches etc. We spent 2 hours there. One of the highlights was the fountain of knowledge that was the volunteer ’Bob’. He told us loads of interesting things we would never have known and brought the experience to life with his stories and the way he involved the children, allowing them to get a hands on experience and answering their questions. I would definitely recommend HMS Unicorn!
Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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HMS UNICORN (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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