London's National Maritime Museum (NMM) has officially opened the new £35m Sammy Ofer Wing, which is the largest development in the Greenwich attraction's history.

The scheme has allowed the museum to transform how it presents its exhibitions, events and galleries, with the new wing enhancing its presentation of the UK's maritime heritage. A special exhibitions gallery enabling a full programme of temporary shows and Voyagers - a new permanent gallery - have been created as part of the Sammy Ofer Wing.

Meanwhile, a restaurant and a café overlooking Greenwich Park; a library and archive; and a new entrance from Greenwich Park also form part of the development. Shipping magnate and philanthropist Sammy Ofer donated £20m towards the scheme, with the Heritage Lottery Fund contributing £5m.

Bovis Lend Lease delivered the new space, which features a 30m (98ft)-long object wall exploring the history of Britain and its seas between the 16th and 20th centuries. NMM chair Lord Sterling said: "Our maritime story is Britain's national story. And understanding the way the past has shaped the present never been more important in enriching our understanding of the world and providing inspiration for the future.

"In the Sammy Ofer Wing, our new exhibition space will introduce new generations of visitors to the many rich narratives bound up in our maritime story. This visionary transformation would not."