A visit to the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea, Hampshire gives you the rare opportunity to step inside what was once one of the finest officers' messes in England.

The elite troops of the Royal Marines were closely involved in both World Wars, the Battle of Trafalgar, & the Falklands War, & there are all sorts of memorabilia - including costumes, musical instruments, sounds recordings & weapons - that help bring history to life.

And the museum's got some fab tales to tell as well - like how Hannah Snell posed as a man & served as a marine in India in 1740.   For more salty stories & information on group packages give the museum a ring on 023 9281 9385 ext 230.

Until February 2007 it's survival of the fittest at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth.   The Endurance & Survival exhibition tells the stories of some of the UK's most famous adventurers, including Ellen MacArthur, Shackleton, Tony Bullimore & Robin Knox-Johnston.   The exhibition also looks at some lesser-known heroes, like the Robertson family who survived on a bag of onions for 38 days in a 9-foot dinghy.  

Besides Endurance & Survival look out for the Fal River Festival from 27 May to 11 June, where there'll be arts & crafts, music, drama, food & drink, & plenty more to celebrate the Fal estuary.   To coincide with the festival is the Cornwall Shipwrecks photography exhibition, which runs until 2 July.   Cornish Diving, University College of Falmouth & the Cornish Society of Underwater Photographers have collaborated to give you a fish eye's view of shipwrecks beneath Cornish waters.   For more details on any of these events ring 01326 313388.

While the DUKW vehicles that take you on a London Ducktour mightn't be sea bound any longer, they play an important role in the UK's maritime history.   During WW2 they carried supplies from ships to points on land, saving the military a lot of time re-loading.

The DUKWs became less important once helicopters were invented, but London Ducktours have modernised the original vehicles for their amphibious adventures.   The 75-minute tour includes commentary about London's history, as well as facts & figures about the DUKW vehicles.   To learn more about tailor-made tours & group rates ring 020 7928 3132.