On every first weekend of the month, the rich maritime history of the Cutty Sark comes to life with live sea shanty performances. Their resident sea shanty groups 'Swinging the Lead' and 'The HogEye Men' fill the famous tea clipper's 'Tween Deck with the harmonies of traditional working songs.
About the sea shanty singers
The HogEye Men
With nearly 20 years of experience, The HogEye Men are widely regarded as London's leading performers of traditional, unaccompanied sea shanties. They've held a monthly residency at Cutty Sark since 2019, blending powerful voices and subtle harmonies to recreate authentic working songs from the age of sail, alongside newer tales of life at sea.
Swinging the Lead
Swinging the Lead have been Cutty Sark's resident shanty singers since 2011. All members have first-hand sea-going experience, including sailing on tall ships, and bring a deep knowledge of maritime history to their performances — making their sets feel rooted, lived-in and genuinely atmospheric.
Performances are included with your Cutty Sark ticket, which can be booked here, and run at 11.45am, 12.45pm and 1.30pm. Upcoming dates in 2026 kick off on 3 and 4 January, continuing monthly through winter and spring, with The HogEye Men performing on Saturdays and Swinging the Lead on Sundays.