Sir Max Aitken Museum
Sir Max Aitken Museum
4.5
About
This magnificent 18th century, Ratsey and Lapthorn sail maker’s loft, was acquired and restored by Sir Max Aitken in 1947. Today, with its traditional splendour, the building boasts Sir Max’s personal collection of historic and nautical artefacts, and is open to the public during the summer months. The Museum is also available to rent for private lunches, dinners or meetings all year round.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
60 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
9
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Judith C
Guildford, UK93 contributions
Jul 2023
Disappointingly, having checked opening days and times, the museum was shut on arrival for a private function. We went across the street to the tourist information point to ask if there was anything else we could see in Cowes, and were told it is quite common for the museum to be closed without warning. There is not much else in Cowes (just shops and eateries) so have a back up plan if you are on a day trip and have scheduled this into your itinerary.
Written 19 July 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.
SimonM84
Chester, UK51 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This is a truly delightful museum celebrating the life of one of the colourful characters which Cowes has attracted over the years. Beautifully maintained and cared for by most charming ladies with both great knowledge and a real sense of the importance of making such a special place still relevant today by it being used regularly for dinners and special occasions too. What a huge asset to Cowes !
Written 9 July 2018
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.
Yachtjudge
Lymington, Hampshire,England420 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
It's not often that its possible to see such a wonderful collection of yachting and related memorabilia. It is even less often that it is possible to see it linked to a close personal interest of the person who collected it, in what was and still is part of that family home.
The museum is tiny but it has some wonderful historical pieces. The Tiller of the former Royal racing yacht Britannia and the sea going gimballed cradle of the Emperor Napoleon the Third are just two of the pieces. Bits of the life of Sir Man Aitken - whose life included being a Battle of Britain fighter pilot in World War 2 links in to many of the pieces on display as do the yachts in which he competed in many of the world's ocean races, including of course the Fastnet Race.
It's right on Cowes High Street. Easy to access. The opening hours are restricted because it is supported entirely by volunteers and voluntary donations.
Allow at least an hour and pre-book a tour. It is entirely free to enter and to have a tour but donations are welcomed.
The museum is tiny but it has some wonderful historical pieces. The Tiller of the former Royal racing yacht Britannia and the sea going gimballed cradle of the Emperor Napoleon the Third are just two of the pieces. Bits of the life of Sir Man Aitken - whose life included being a Battle of Britain fighter pilot in World War 2 links in to many of the pieces on display as do the yachts in which he competed in many of the world's ocean races, including of course the Fastnet Race.
It's right on Cowes High Street. Easy to access. The opening hours are restricted because it is supported entirely by volunteers and voluntary donations.
Allow at least an hour and pre-book a tour. It is entirely free to enter and to have a tour but donations are welcomed.
Written 12 September 2017
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.
yvonne s
33 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
What a smashing museum beautifully curated and very knowledgeable staff who are really enthusiastic - a definite must see for anyone in Cowes especially those interested in historical maritime
Written 29 July 2017
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.
YachtSkipper
Whippingham, UK158 contributions
Sept 2016 • Business
We visited here for a sailing regatta dinner on a Saturday evening and what an incredible place - although we had booked the venue for dinner after a days sailing we had the pleasure of dining surrounded by a rare and fascinating collection of nauticalia - well worth a visit to see some of the unique history of Sir Max Aitken as well as the wider history of his life as a WW2 pilot and keen yachtsman - don't miss the chance when you are in Cowes !!
Written 26 September 2016
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.
Tomntay
Prescot, UK139 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
What a lovely place to Potter round. Extremely knowledge staff and amazing exhibition. We spent over an hour here looking at the impressive displays.
Written 24 September 2016
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.
Maggie N
Ventnor, UK129 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
You can be sure of a warm welcome at this fascinating museum, housed in a former sail loft, right on the waterfront, in this famous sailing town. Sir Max Aitken worked in the newspaper empire that his father, Lord Beaverbrook, had built. He was also a fighter pilot in the Second World War, politician, racing yachtsman, powerboat pioneer, boat-show founder and Cowes personality, entertaining yachtsmen from all over the world. He restored this then derelict building where sails were once made. Here he lived and displayed his collection, creating a charitable trust to preserve it as a museum after his death.
You don't need prior knowledge of sailing to enjoy this collection, but an interest in British history certainly helps. The staff are only too happy to answer visitors' questions or explain the background to an object. This was my third visit, and each time I learn more.
Right down the centre of the loft are highly polished dining tables above which hangs a gaff, or beam supporting the mainsail, from the Royal Yacht Britannia. All around the walls there are model ships in glass cases, paintings of historic sea battles, figureheads, canons, ships' instruments, navigation lights and lanterns, even a cat-o'-nine-tails and a trident that may have been used to ward off tigers! There's a table full of trophies won by Sir Max in sailing and powerboat races.
Every object has a tale to tell and that's what makes them so memorable and gives them intrinsic value. I discovered a model of the Royal St George that sank off Portsmouth while she was anchored and preparing to put to sea. The ship needed urgent repairs and was tilted to one side whilst she was being loaded with provisions and was crowded with sailors' families saying goodbye. She listed and took in water, and hundreds of bodies were washed up on the Island shore at Ryde, where there's now a memorial garden.
Some of the paintings are of the English fleet in the Solent and others depict Lord Nelson's sea battles. Anyone who has seen and boarded Nelson's ship, The Victory, on which he died, at Portsmouth's Historic Naval Dockyard, or seen the gun carriage that bore his coffin, in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, will feel a personal connection to these and other Nelson memorabilia here. Sir Max even collected a cradle made for Napoleon Bonaparte's son, and his friend, the well-known boat designer Uffa Fox, built him a boat-shaped cradle for his daughter.
If you like to gaze at muscular men or voluptuous women, there are several of each in this museum. One ship's figurehead has the body, tail and long flowing hair of a mermaid, but a devilish face and horns.
The museum is in the High Street, right in the centre of town, near the Red Jet ferry terminus. It has its own website where you can check opening days and hours. It is currently open from May to September and from Tuesday to Saturday. Entry is free of charge, but donations are very welcome. You can buy a souvenir booklet and postcards there. Downstairs, near the entrance, there are toilet facilities.
You don't need prior knowledge of sailing to enjoy this collection, but an interest in British history certainly helps. The staff are only too happy to answer visitors' questions or explain the background to an object. This was my third visit, and each time I learn more.
Right down the centre of the loft are highly polished dining tables above which hangs a gaff, or beam supporting the mainsail, from the Royal Yacht Britannia. All around the walls there are model ships in glass cases, paintings of historic sea battles, figureheads, canons, ships' instruments, navigation lights and lanterns, even a cat-o'-nine-tails and a trident that may have been used to ward off tigers! There's a table full of trophies won by Sir Max in sailing and powerboat races.
Every object has a tale to tell and that's what makes them so memorable and gives them intrinsic value. I discovered a model of the Royal St George that sank off Portsmouth while she was anchored and preparing to put to sea. The ship needed urgent repairs and was tilted to one side whilst she was being loaded with provisions and was crowded with sailors' families saying goodbye. She listed and took in water, and hundreds of bodies were washed up on the Island shore at Ryde, where there's now a memorial garden.
Some of the paintings are of the English fleet in the Solent and others depict Lord Nelson's sea battles. Anyone who has seen and boarded Nelson's ship, The Victory, on which he died, at Portsmouth's Historic Naval Dockyard, or seen the gun carriage that bore his coffin, in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, will feel a personal connection to these and other Nelson memorabilia here. Sir Max even collected a cradle made for Napoleon Bonaparte's son, and his friend, the well-known boat designer Uffa Fox, built him a boat-shaped cradle for his daughter.
If you like to gaze at muscular men or voluptuous women, there are several of each in this museum. One ship's figurehead has the body, tail and long flowing hair of a mermaid, but a devilish face and horns.
The museum is in the High Street, right in the centre of town, near the Red Jet ferry terminus. It has its own website where you can check opening days and hours. It is currently open from May to September and from Tuesday to Saturday. Entry is free of charge, but donations are very welcome. You can buy a souvenir booklet and postcards there. Downstairs, near the entrance, there are toilet facilities.
Written 16 August 2016
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.
Lizandmatthew
liss15 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Spent an hour here, fantastic staff, you will enjoy it.
Just ask and question and they will give an answer to fill your knowledge.
It's like a tardis small pm the outside and big on the inside.
I would say not for small children as they will find it boring as their is no Star Wars.
Just ask and question and they will give an answer to fill your knowledge.
It's like a tardis small pm the outside and big on the inside.
I would say not for small children as they will find it boring as their is no Star Wars.
Written 10 September 2015
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.
George A
Derbyshire, UK47 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Really interesting museum. Free too, but donations are welcome. Lovely ladies to answer your questions too.
Written 29 August 2015
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.
GMackinder
Brighton23 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
This is the best museum on the island, and probably the least publicised (you won't find a big glossy spread in the Wightlink magazine). Free to get in. Free!
Great items from the Brittania, a lot of items with royal connections and other sailing artifacts. Also one of the only places you can get a half decent view over the harbour without being a member of a sailing club.
Great items from the Brittania, a lot of items with royal connections and other sailing artifacts. Also one of the only places you can get a half decent view over the harbour without being a member of a sailing club.
Written 15 July 2014
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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