Maritime museums · Central Scotland
HMS Unicorn
In or near Dundee.
HMS Unicorn in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Bill Nicholls — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 2 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Dundee · 0.8 km
- Paid entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
HMS Unicorn is located in Dundee City, with the postcode DD1 3BP. The nearest railway station is Dundee, which is 0.8 km away. Entry is paid, and wheelchair accessibility is limited.
About
HMS Unicorn is a preserved museum ship in Scotland Central, United Kingdom — a vessel of historic significance preserved as a public visitor attraction. Britain's museum ships span Tudor warships (Mary Rose), tea clippers (Cutty Sark), Victorian battleships (HMS Warrior) and 20th-century submarines.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2024
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the official site
HMS Unicorn is a historic ship and museum located in Dundee, Scotland. Launched in 1824, it is recognized as the oldest ship in Scotland and one of the six oldest ships in the world, showcasing its rich maritime history and stories from its time in the Royal Navy.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
HMS Unicorn is a surviving sailing frigate of the successful Leda class, although the original design had been modified by the time that the Unicorn was built, to incorporate a circular stern and "small-timber" system of construction. Listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, Unicorn is now a museum ship in Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom. She is the oldest ship in Scotland, one of the oldest ships in the world, and one of the last intact warships from the age of sail. As of January 2025, the ship is due to undergo restoration and relocation to a newly restored dry dock (Dundee's East Graving Dock).
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
HMS Unicorn was built in peacetime at Chatham Dockyard, Kent and launched in 1824 This was a transitional period for shipbuilding, as suitable timber was becoming more difficult to obtain, and iron was increasingly available. Under the direction of Sir Robert Seppings, then Surveyor of the Royal Navy, Unicorn was built with diagonal riders made with iron straps and iron "knees" that strengthened the hull. As Unicorn was built shortly after the naval wars against Napoleon ended, she was never rigged; a superstructure was built over her main deck and she was laid up "in ordinary", serving as a hulk and a depot ship for most of the next 140 years. In 1857, she was loaned to the War Department…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 56.4616, -2.9585
- District
- Dundee City
- Postcode
- DD1 3BP
- Parliamentary constituency
- Dundee Central
- Phone
- 01382 200900
- Nearest railway station
- Dundee — 0.8 km
- Opening
- Tu-Su 10:00-16:00; Dec 23-Jan 3 off
- Official site
- www.hmsunicorn.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q489413 (CC0)
- wikipedia: HMS Unicorn (1824) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Dundee Harbour
Marinas · 0.1 km
Panmure Passage
Public art & sculpture · 0.2 km
Dundee International Submarine Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
Swing Bridge, Victoria Dock, Dundee Harbour
Historic bridges · 0.2 km
Starboard Bouy
Natural landmarks · 0.3 km
Wind Veil
Public art & sculpture · 0.3 km
DNA
Public art & sculpture · 0.4 km
Tidal Harbour
Marinas · 0.5 km
Tay Road Bridge Monument
Memorials & monuments · 0.5 km
Wishart Arch
Natural landmarks · 0.5 km
Former Wishart Church, 106-112 Cowgate, Dundee
Historic churches · 0.5 km
National Cycle Network Milepost
Public art & sculpture · 0.5 km
Nearby
📷 5📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Panmure Passage
Panmure Passage — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Dundee International Submarine Memorial
Dundee International Submarine Memorial — a memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic bridges · Central Scotland
Swing Bridge, Victoria Dock, Dundee Harbour
Swing Bridge, Victoria Dock, Dundee Harbour — category A listed building-listed bridge in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Natural landmarks · Central Scotland
Starboard Bouy
Starboard Bouy — a other in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Wind Veil
Wind Veil — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near HMS Unicorn
Places to stay
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
Dundee Backpackers Hostel
Dundee Backpackers Hostel — a hostel in scotland central.
📷 7Hotels · Central Scotland
Four Points Flex by Sheraton
Four Points Flex by Sheraton — a hotel in scotland central. Brand: Four Points by Sheraton.
📷 7Hotels · Central Scotland
Hampton by Hilton Dundee City Centre
Hampton by Hilton Dundee City Centre — a hotel in scotland central. Brand: Hampton.
📷 7
📷 5Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Tayport Links Caravan Park
Tayport Links Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland central.
📷 5Campsites · Central Scotland
Larick Campsite
Larick Campsite — a campsite in scotland central.
Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Calcutta Buildings, 16, 18 Commercial Street, Dundee
Calcutta Buildings, 16, 18 Commercial Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
The Stance and Drum Public House, 16 Dock Street, Dundee
The Stance and Drum Public House, 16 Dock Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
51 Commercial Street, Dundee
51 Commercial Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Office of J & D Grimmond, 1-3 King Street, Dundee
Office of J & D Grimmond, 1-3 King Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Public House, 15 Dock Street, Dundee
Public House, 15 Dock Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
The Pillars Bar, 9, 11 Crichton Street, Dundee
The Pillars Bar, 9, 11 Crichton Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
More places in this region
📷 3Maritime museums · Central Scotland
SPIRIT OF THE TAY
SPIRIT OF THE TAY — a maritime museum in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 4Maritime museums · Central Scotland
RRS Discovery
RRS Discovery in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 4Maritime museums · Central Scotland
HMY Britannia
HMY Britannia in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 4Maritime museums · Central Scotland
Tall Ship Glenlee
Tall Ship Glenlee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is HMS Unicorn?
- HMS Unicorn is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode DD1 3BP).
- What is HMS Unicorn?
- HMS Unicorn in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
- How do I get to HMS Unicorn?
- The nearest railway station is Dundee, about 0.8 km away. Drivers can use postcode DD1 3BP.
- Who owns HMS Unicorn?
- HMS Unicorn is owned by Royal Navy.
- How do I get to HMS Unicorn?
- The nearest railway station is Dundee, about 0.8 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode DD1 3BP.