Discover these top 10 highlights on a trip to historic Greenwich.
Discover beautiful buildings filled with culture. Image courtesy of Visit Greenwich.
Famed for giving its name to Greenwich Mean Time, Greenwich is where hemispheres meet and is home to a World Heritage Site, The O2 entertainment venue, London’s only cable car and London’s oldest Royal Park.
It’s quick and easy to get there from central London by Tube, train, DLR and bus, or you can honour the area’s maritime history and travel by boat to Greenwich.
The Equatorial Telescope at Royal Observatory Greenwich. Image courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich.
Stand with a foot in each hemisphere and explore how scientists first mapped the seas and the stars at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. This Greenwich observatory is home to the Prime Meridian Line, the UK’s largest refracting telescope, a 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid and the only London planetarium.
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Visit the magnificent Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich. Image courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich.
Climb aboard Cutty Sark in Greenwich, the world's last surviving tea clipper, which was built at the end of the golden age of sail. Discover what life was like aboard the 19th-century ship, find out how it brought tea from China and walk beneath the hull that made it one of the fastest ships of its time.
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See Turner's Battle of Trafalgar at the National Maritime Museum. Image courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich.
Learn about Britain's encounters with the world at sea and the Royal Navy at the National Maritime Museum. This Greenwich museum also charts the life of great British hero Admiral Horatio Nelson, and you can even see the uniform he wore when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar.
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The iconic Tulip Staircase, Queen's House, Greenwich. Image courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich.
For a regal day out, head to the Queen's House in Greenwich for more than 400 years of stunning art, architecture and royal history. Part of Royal Museums Greenwich, this royal villa was designed by Inigo Jones in 1616 as a "house of delight" for James I's wife, Anne of Denmark.
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Explore vast and glorious Greenwich Park. Image courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich.
Stop off in London’s oldest Royal Park, Greenwich Park, for breathtaking views over the river Thames and the City of London. The former hunting park is still home to a small herd of deer, as well as the Prime Meridian Line, Royal Observatory and several cafes.
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Browse stalls at Greenwich Market. Photo by Ed Simmons. Image courtesy of Greenwich Market.
Find some quirky and unique gifts in Greenwich Market. Open seven days a week, this hidden gem is great for browsing crafts, design, antiques and collectables. Don’t forget to explore the pavilion food court with street food from around the world, and keep an eye out for seasonal events.
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Wander around the grounds at the Old Royal Naval College. Image courtesy of Visit Greenwich.
Explore Sir Christopher Wren’s iconic architecture at the Old Royal Naval College. The stunning buildings and large grounds tell five centuries of remarkable history, featuring an incredible cast of famous figures, from Elizabeth I to Admiral Lord Nelson. Discover more than 3,700 sq m (40,000 sq ft) of magnificent painted walls and ceiling during a visit to "Britain’s Sistine Chapel", Sir James Thornhill’s Painted Hall. Plus, don't miss the glorious Chapel of St Peter and St Paul.
Float past landmarks with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Image courtesy of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Take in the sights while travelling to Greenwich with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ high-speed catamarans. Jump on board in central London for great views of landmarks including the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge, before disembarking at Greenwich Pier or North Greenwich. Services run every 20 minutes throughout the day; touch in and out with your Oyster card.
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Soar through the sky with Emirates Air Line. Image courtesy of Visit Greenwich.
Enjoy 360-degree views of London on the Emirates Air Line cable car. Soar across the Thames from Greenwich Peninsula to Royal Docks and see St Paul’s Cathedral, historic Greenwich, The Shard, The O2, the Thames Barrier, Royal Docks and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from heights of 90m (295ft). Board this Greenwich cable car after 7pm for longer journey times, music and video.
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Walk in the grounds at Eltham Palace and Gardens. Image courtesy of Visit Greenwich.
Be transported to the 1930s at art deco gem Eltham Palace and Gardens. Tour the mansion’s lavish rooms, which are full of quirky touches from former owners Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. Be amazed by the circular entrance hall, explore the walk-in wardrobe and marvel at the golden bathroom. There are also 19 acres (8 hectares) of grounds surrounding this former medieval palace, which Henry VIII used to visit.
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Plan your visit to Greenwich by visiting the Tourist Information Centre or take a look at this Greenwich London map. If visiting with little ones, take a look at these fun activities for an exciting family day out.
