Royal Observatory Greenwich

The Greenwich Meridian Line, Longitude 0°, is the centre of world time, defined by a transit instrument and line across the Observatory courtyard. Endorsed by international agreement in1884 as the Prime Meridian of the world, it attracts visitors from around the globe to stand astride the line that divides East and West. You can see the 17th century rooms occupied by the first Astronomer Royal, the observation room with its early Tompion clocks and displays on the development of improved navigation at sea that led to Britain’s leadership in world exploration and trade for several centuries.

The most important, intricate, marine timekeepers of John Harrison, the carpenter/inventor, are all on display alongside the earliest accurate clocks used to establish Greenwich as the world standard for accurate time signals. These Greenwich clocks became the centre for sending the time signal throughout Britain and later by cable to synchronize with other nations. New galleries explore how time impacts on our daily life and the giant 28” refracting telescope can be seen.

Planetarium

Take a journey through time and space at London’s only public planetarium. The planetarium’s visually captivating shows provide a magnificent introduction to the mysteries and wonders of the universe, with information from NASA telescopes and the latest terrestrial technology revealing the secrets of pulsars and black holes. All shows are hosted by Royal Observatory astronomers who are available to answer questions after the main programme. All shows are suitable for children aged 7+. Secret of the Cardboard Rocket and Stargazing for Beginners are also suitable for under-5s.

Visitors can also try their hand at being an astronomer, guide a space mission or touch a meteorite which is over 4.5 billion years old at the Astronomy Galleries in the Astronomy Centre.

Cafeteria restaurant. Time and astronomy-themed gift shops. The Royal Observatory is a branch museum of the National Maritime Museum.

Related Categories

Opening times:	ast admission 30 minutes before closing. From now until 31 August 2008, The Royal Observatory Meridian courtyard will remain open until 20.00. During weekends and bank holidays in August, there is an extra planetarium show at 17.00.
Booking and payment details	Free

In 1675 Charles II had the Royal Observatory built on a hill in the middle of the Greenwich Park, intending that astronomy be used to establish longitude at sea. The Octagon Room, designed by Wren, and the nearby Sextant Room are where John Flamsteed (1646-1719), the first astronomer royal, made his observations and calculations. The globe is divided between east and west at the Royal Observatory, and in the Meridian Courtyard you can place one foot either side of the meridian line and straddle the two hemispheres.Every day at 13:00 the red time ball at the top of the Royal Observatory continues to drop as has done since 1833. You can still get great views of Greenwich and spy on your fellow tourists at the same time by visiting the unique Camera Obscura. An ambitious 15 million project has added four new galleries exploring astronomy and time, including one on the search for longitude.The 120-seat state-of-the-art Peter Harrison Planetarium (tel: 8312 8565 ;hourly shows 13:00-16:00 Mon-Fri, 11:00-16:00 Sat & Sun), which opened just south of the Royal Observatory in June 2007, has an around 1 million digital laser projector that can show entire heavens on the inside of its bronze-clad roof and is the most advanced in Europe. Along with the theme shows, there are galleries tracing the history of astronomy and interactive displays on such subjects the effects of gravity.

Traveller Rating:

Based on 7 reviews

Ranked #51

Latest 5 reviews of Royal Observatory Greenwich

Stand on the line and take your photo!

After a good amount of walking from the Docklands light rail, via Canary Wharf, thru a couple small streets, thru a beautiful pak, then up a mid-sized steep hill, you reach the Maritime line. The...

After a good amount of walking from the Docklands light rail, via Canary Wharf, thru a couple small streets, thru a beautiful pak, then up a mid-sized steep hill, you reach the Maritime line. The views to London, especially the Canary Wharf office buildings are amazing. Specular fun to have your photo taken on "the line" by yourself or with your friends; and even a quaint gift shop, too. Although its a good hike to get there from London Central, plan a good hour at least, it's just plain fun! I will always remember it, that's for sure. Clearly a world renown tourist sight! Remember to wear comfortable shoes!

24 August 2007

by 5ivesMum, Boston, Massachusetts

Just be there!

Royal Observatory is a small museum with few items to see and quite narrow - easily gets crowned. Nonetheless, it is almost an obligatory stop on a day in Greenwich, and feel the primary...

Royal Observatory is a small museum with few items to see and quite narrow - easily gets crowned.

Nonetheless, it is almost an obligatory stop on a day in Greenwich, and feel the primary Meridian.

It is a short walk in the park, altghough up hill to reach the observatory from the National Maritime Museum. Close by there is also Naval Academy and the Cutty Sark also worth a visit.

3 June 2007

by Valletta054, Malta

A unique and terrific place!

Gettting there was easy - take the Tube to the railway line and switch over (underground) at no extra cost using your Oyster card. This above ground rail line passes through attractive areas enroute...

Gettting there was easy - take the Tube to the railway line and switch over (underground) at no extra cost using your Oyster card. This above ground rail line passes through attractive areas enroute.

Get off at the Royal Greenwich Observatory train stop. There's an excellent Tourist Information Office is across the street from the burned out Cutty Sarc ship. Lots of little places to eat in the town.

I also enjoyed visiting the small, but lovely, Fan Museum.

The Greenwich Observatory park is lovely, green and serene after the hubub of London itself. It's a World Heritage site. The Observatory and all the other buildings are superbly done. Free admission. Very well organized - lots for adults to see and learn and lots to interest children, too. The buildings are located at the top of the hill. A nice walk and a great view at the top. But, you might have to stop once, or twice, to get your breath :). You can stand on the 0 Meridian Line and learn how it all came about. A fascinating story. It is all beautifully done. There are wonderful old clocks and exqusite pieces of old equipment and telescopes etc. A good section on Space. The Maritime Museum (at the bottom of the hill) is excellent, too. Also free and the people at their Information Desk were very helpful.

2 June 2007

by HelenK41, Burlington Canada

A nice little excursion

As part of trip out to Greenwich, then this is worthwhile. It is now free. I do not think it would have been worth it if you had to pay to visit the Royal observatory. This is the place they...

As part of trip out to Greenwich, then this is worthwhile. It is now free. I do not think it would have been worth it if you had to pay to visit the Royal observatory.

This is the place they formulated meridian time line, and you have to opportunity to cross the line. This place is not only important for the development in in the time line but navigation and astronomy through the centuries.

It is remarkably busy and the surrounding area is very picturesque which makes the visit worthwhile.

14 July 2006

by PrestonTraveller,

Avoid the peak times as it gets hot and crowded

The Royal Observatory is now free and worth a visit. Althought, a bit out of london, I took the train from London Bridge - it is worth the trip. They have a good collection of memorabilia and of...

The Royal Observatory is now free and worth a visit. Althought, a bit out of london, I took the train from London Bridge - it is worth the trip. They have a good collection of memorabilia and of course, the international date line. It was very busy when I was there (making it hard to see everything as it got quite hot in the museum) so do try and avoid the peak times.

11 July 2006

by perthgal, Western Australia

Are you a representative of Royal Observatory Greenwich?
Respond to Reviews

Location Information Royal Observatory Greenwich

Address:	(Flamsteed House), Greenwich Park, London London SE10 9NF
Telephone:	+44 (0)20 8312 6565
Email:	bookings@nmm.ac.uk
Website:	www.nmm.ac.uk
Public transport:	DLR – Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich* By boat – from most central London piers)* Bus 53 from Oxford Circus stops at park gates. * 15 minute walk through park to Observatory.