Pirates: The Captain Kidd Story

From Treasure Island to Pirates of the Caribbean, piracy has long been an inspiration for books, television and film. Now, adults and children alike can encounter the real pirates who ruled our seas over 300 years ago in Pirates: The Captain Kidd Story. Visit the Museum of London Docklands for a swashbuckling adventure as you follow the infamous Captain Kidd, who met a grisly end at Wapping’s Execution Dock. As you set sail for the high seas, young buccaneers and their families will learn the ropes with hands-on interactive specifically developed for budding pirates. Board the pirate ship and become part of life below deck, find safe passage through dangerous seas, experience the sights and smells of old Wapping, design your own pirate flag, examine a genuine Piece of Eight and decide whether Captain Kidd was really guilty as charged.

Captains and the more experienced shipmates amongst you can use surviving documents and artifacts to investigate London’s links with piracy, including its gruesome history as a place of execution for pirates. Uncover stories of corruption and political intrigue, admire examples of real pirate plunder, as well as original swords, pistols and clothing or see the world through the eyes of 17th century explorers with the maps and charts they used to navigate the seas.  Finally, you’ll discover how the tale of Captain Kidd and his buried treasure passed into legend to shape our ideas of pirates today, inspiring fashion, literature and some of the most famous pirates of stage and screen. Find out more at www.museumoflondon.org.uk/pirates or call 020 7001 9844.