Only in London Itinerary: Greenwich

A Morning of Maritime History

Get your day off to an interesting start by arriving in Greenwich by more unusual means! Travel on a luxury river liner from Westminster Pier with City Cruises or walk through the Greenwich foot tunnel. This pedestrian walkway was built more than 100 years ago and runs under the river Thames.

By either route, the first thing you'll come across is the site of the world-famous tea-clipper, the Cutty Sark. You can't currently see anything of the ship as it is undergoing extensive restoration following a serious fire in 2007.  It is due to reopen in spring 2011.

Start your tour of maritime history at the Old Royal Naval College, one of London's most famous riverside landmarks. This stunning building was designed by Christopher Wren in 1695 to house naval pensioners. Don't miss The Painted Hall, one of the finest dining halls in the world. The intricate paintings which cover the ceiling and walls took 19 years to complete!

Next stop is the National Maritime Museum, where you can see the Royal naval uniform Nelson wore at the Battle of Trafalgar. This impressive coat still bears the hole left by the fatal musket ball shot on the left shoulder, as well as blood on the tails and sleeve from his secretary John Scott, who was also killed in the battle.

Walk up through Greenwich Park, London's oldest Royal Park, for fantastic views over Greenwich's unique architecture. The park is one of the planned Olympic venues for London 2012, when it will host the equestrian events.

Lunch in Greenwich Park

Within Greenwich Park, the Pavilion Tea House is a great spot for lunch. A pretty hexagonal building with large windows, the tea house serves seasonal hot lunches and homemade sandwiches.

An Afternoon Exploring Time and Space

You can't miss the Royal Observatory; it's perched on top of the hill in Greenwich Park. Here you can see the UK's largest telescope, which at 28 inches is the seventh largest in the world. You can also stand astride the Prime Meridian Line, with a foot in both the east and west hemispheres!

Next door is London's only public Planetarium, where you can discover the secrets of Black Holes and other astronomical marvels. Make time to touch the 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite in the Astronomy Centre.

Wander down to Greenwich Market, where you'll find lots of quirky shops and stalls among the cobbled streets. Check out Compendia, a toyshop full of unusual games that don't need batteries or power leads! Also step inside Mr Humbug, a traditional sweetshop packed with glass jars filled with colourful candy and delicious treats.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the market behind, its time to visit one of London's most unusual museums. The Fan Museum houses the world's finest collection of fans. This beautifully restored house was built in 1721 and has a stunning Japanese-style garden that is perfect for relaxing at the end of a busy day in Greenwich.

Dinner at The Trafalgar Tavern

Finally it's time for some much-needed refreshments, so follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens and William Gladstone and head to The Trafalgar Tavern. As well as a superb location right on the banks of the Thames, this Grade I listed pub still has many of the original features from 1837.

Choose from authentic English bar snacks or heartier meals but make sure you try the speciality of fresh whitebait, which has been enjoyed here for over 150 years.

Download the Only in London: Greenwich Itinerary

Download the Only in London: Greenwich Itinerary [PDF 2.1MB] and take it with you on your unique day out!