Discovery Point and RRS Discovery - Dundee

Claire T.

A nice place to visit, but not somewhere to stay for a long time. Car park was very busy, we were lucky to get a space. Discovery Point itself was fairly quiet, especially considering visiting on a Sunday.

Dinesh J. (.

A captivating dive into Dundee’s maritime heritage

Discovery Point and the RRS Discovery offer a fantastic experience for anyone interested in history, exploration, or maritime life. The museum is well laid out, starting with interactive galleries that take you through the story of the RRS Discovery – from its construction in Dundee to its legendary Antarctic expedition with Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton. The displays are informative, engaging, and full of interesting artifacts, photographs, and videos that really bring the story to life.

The highlight, of course, is stepping aboard the RRS Discovery itself. It’s incredibly well-preserved, and you get to walk through the actual ship – from the engine room to the officers’ quarters and the upper deck. It gives a real sense of what life would have been like on board over 100 years ago during extreme polar conditions. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the hands-on exhibits and the ability to explore freely.

Another great feature is the Discovery Dome, which includes an immersive cinematic experience and often showcases large-scale art installations like Luke Jerram’s suspended globe, Gaia. It’s visually stunning and adds a modern, creative touch to the historical experience.

The facilities are clean and accessible, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There’s also a café and gift shop on site, and the location is ideal—right by the waterfront and next to the V&A Dundee and Slessor Gardens. It’s easy to make a full day out of the visit.

Tickets are reasonably priced, with discounts for families and concession holders. It’s also worth noting that you can buy a combined ticket with Verdant Works if you’re interested in Dundee’s industrial heritage.

In short, Discovery Point is a brilliant mix of education and adventure, with something for all ages. Whether you’re local or visiting Dundee for the first time, it’s a must-see attraction that beautifully tells the story of courage, science, and exploration.

Eileen S.

So thrilled to have been able to visit this ship it was so interesting and loads to see , can't believe I've been on it

John L.

Fantastic museum telling the story of antarctic explorations. Scenes have been created showing life on the ice and there is a wealth of fascinating information on the life of the explorers, with details of their food needed for the long time away and the clothes that were needed to combat the temperatures.
There are separate displays of the history of whale hunting and others about the building of the Discovery and the shipbuilding history of Dundee.
All these are fully accessible for a wheelchair user.
After spending time here we then went outside to visit the ship itself. This too had a ramp so that the top deck was accessible. A wonderful guide was on hand to talk to my wife in her wheelchair why I went below deck to explore.
In all, this was a wonderful few hours spent, which I would recommend to any visitors to Dundee

John E.

What an amazing treasure trove this is. Really interesting exhibits with multimedia displays and the ship itself, with the cabins that Scott and Shackleton used.

Tork M.

The museum is the beautifully laid out story of the Discovery expedition to the Antarctic in the early 20th century spread over 2 floors with the ship itself lying in drydock next to the museum as the final exhibition. Every part of the museum has been well thought out and it has plenty of information boards to tell the story of the expedition from conception to the return to the UK , videos and models give more information about the harsh living conditions of the men and the nature and flora they encountered and catalogued . The walk through of the Discovery itself is the highlight though as its only when walking the same decking as the crew you’ve just read about it brings the exhibition to life , very recommended as a way of discovering the history of an iconic ship.

Peter B.

The museum and ship are both very impressive.

I really enjoyed the range of information the museum explores, from scientific research and exploration, ship building and heritage, to the voyage of the first crew of the discovery. A massive range to discover.

The exhibits are a good mix of fun and practical activities for all ages, and more detailed information.

I was also happy to learn about important conservation work being done by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity in Scotland. As this links so closely to Dundee’s whaling history, it felt an appropriate place to have conversation about modern views on this industry and changes that are being made to safeguard Whales and Dolphins lives.

Tickets are also valid for a full year so well worth it!

Carolyn C.

This was a very interesting museum and interactive experience. It is well worth a visit or two so you can revisit what you might have missed the first time. There is so much information in the museum about the Discovery. When you are done visiting this ship, please make the 0.5 mile trek to the HMS Unicorn. The HMS Unicorn is also well worth the visit! She is a sweet ship with alot of history surrounding her. Please take the extra time to visit the HMS Unicorn!