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Top things to do in Greenwich

From a Unesco-listed site and historic venues to fascinating art and astounding views, discover the best things to see and do on a trip to historic Greenwich.
People sit on green lawns in Greenwich Park in front of a view of the London skyline.
Stroll through Greenwich Park and admire the stunning skyline views. Credit: Nadia Gerbish. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Famed for giving its name to Greenwich Mean Time, Greenwich is where hemispheres meet and is home to a Unesco World Heritage Site, The O2 entertainment venue, London’s only cable car and London’s oldest Royal Park.

Find Greenwich restaurants, royal heritage, world-class attractions and breathtaking views, all in a beautiful riverside setting. 

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.

1. Royal Observatory Greenwich

The Equatorial Telescope at Royal Observatory Greenwich. Credit: Royal Museums 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. The 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.
Where:

Greenwich Park, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

Price:

From £24.00

2. Cutty Sark

Step aboard the Cutty Sark, a famous tea clipper that was once the fastest ship at sea. Credit: Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
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.
Where:

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HT

Price:

From £22.00

3. Old Royal Naval College

Enjoy a guided tour of the Painted Hall in Greenwich and find out more about what goes on behind the scenes at this iconic film location. Credit: Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.

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. Pay a visit to the Painted Hall, an architectural masterpiece like no other in the UK, which has been seen in many hit films including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Crown, Les Misérables, Bridgerton and many others. Plus, don't miss the glorious Chapel of St Peter and St Paul.

 

The Old Royal Naval College is free to enter, while tickets for the Painted Hall start from £16.50 per adult.

Where:

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

Price:

From £17.50

4. Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass

Greenwich panorama at sunset. Credit: Visit Greenwich. Image courtesy of Visit Greenwich.

Visit two impressive London landmarks with the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass. Step aboard historic Cutty Sark and walk around the ship to find out what life was like on the open waves. The pass also grants admission to the Royal Observatory, where you can visit the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and stand on the historic Prime Meridian line of the world.

5. The O2

Get ready for an adrenaline-fuelled moment with Up at the O2 and enjoy incredible views over Greenwich. Credit: Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
With premium outlet shopping at ICON Outlet, bars and restaurants, a multi-screen cinema, a trampoline park and bowling, The O2 is the ultimate entertainment destination in Greenwich. See a different side of the city by climbing the famous roof at Up at The O2 and experience incredible 360-degree views of London.
Where:

Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX

Price:

From £37.00

6. IFS Cloud Cable Car

The purple IFS Cloud cable cars fly over the Thames in London. Credit: TfL. Image courtesy of TfL.
Enjoy 360-degree views of London on the IFS Cloud 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 the Greenwich cable car after 7pm for longer journey times, music and video.
Where:

London, SE10 0FR

Price:

From £7.00

7. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Float past iconic landmarks on your way to Greenwich. Credit: 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.
Where:

London Bridge City Pier, London, SE1 2QE

Price:

From £10.80

8. National Maritime Museum Free

Explore Greenwich's maritime legacy when visiting the National Maritime Museum. Credit: Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
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.
Where:

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

Price:

Free

9. Queen's House Free

Admire the Tulip staircase at the Queen's House, an historic sight in Greenwich. Credit: Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
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.
Where:

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

Price:

Free

10. Greenwich Park

Take a wander to Greenwich Park, the oldest London royal park and admire the view over Canary Wharf. Credit: Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
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.
Where:

Greenwich Park, London, SE10 8QY

11. English Heritage: The Wernher Collection at Ranger's House

See a beautiful art collection at Ranger's House in Greenwich. Image courtesy of English Heritage.

Ranger's House is an elegant Georgian villa on the boundary of Greenwich Park and Blackheath, making it the perfect spot to explore after a leisurely stroll through the surrounding landscape and gardens. Home to The Wernher Collection, discover more than 700 artworks, from medieval sculptures and ornate jewellery to beautiful French tapestries. Don't miss the Madonna of the Pomegranate from renowned renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli.


Please note the Ranger's House is opened to visitors from April to October.

Where:

Chesterfield Walk, Blackheath, London, SE10 8QX

12. Greenwich Market

Enjoy a bit of shopping at Greenwich market before treating yourself to some delicious street food. Credit: Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
Up for a spot of shopping? 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.
Where:

Greenwich Market, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HZ

13. English Heritage: Eltham Palace and Gardens

Walk in the grounds at Eltham Palace and Gardens. Credit: Visit Greenwich. 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.
Where:

Court Yard, Greenwich, London, SE9 5QE

14. Film and TV locations tour

Enjoy a day out in historic Greenwich with a Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass. Image credit: London & Partners/Michael Barrow.

Embark on a film and TV locations tour of Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College, as seen on popular features including The Crown, Pirates of the Caribbean, Poldark, Les Misérables and more. Travel back through nearly 100 years of filming as you visit the locations featured in many international films and TV productions – including inside the magnificent Painted Hall and on the riverside grounds. The tour includes entry to the Painted Hall, the Nelson Room, the Chapel and the Victorian Skittle Alley.

Where:

Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

Price:

From £16.50

Things to do with kids in Greenwich

A mum kneeling to take a photo of her kids and partner in front of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

Whether you’re treating the kids to some half-term holiday fun, a family weekend in London or just spending one day in Greenwich, uncover an abundance of outdoor and indoor attractions for all ages.  

  1. Take the littles ones on an invigorating walk around Greenwich Park. Go landmark spotting atop the viewpoint by the statue of General Wolfe and enjoy roaming the swarms of colour – with pastel pink cherry blossoms in spring and reds and copper fields in autumn.
  2. Stand astride the Prime Meridian Line, see the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and set your watch as the bright red Time Ball drops at 1pm sharp.
  3. Keep on exploring the 74 hectares (183 acres) which make up the park, with wildlife booming at its two ponds, a children’s playground and history stamps such as the Motherstone Fountain, Queen Caroline's Bath and the Millennium Sundial. 
  4. Head down to Greenwich Market for a serving of serious street food and a bag-full of crafts from independent designers – perfect for kids and teens alike.
  5. Make your way to the Greenwich Pier and take a speedy eight-minute journey to North Greenwich with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
  6. Alight at North Greenwich Pier for Greenwich Peninsula – one of London's up-and-coming destinations with The O2, cosy restaurants and the IFS Cloud Cable Car swooshing in with a futuristic vibe. 
  7. Look out for climbers taking the exhilarating walk over the roof of the iconic structure with Up at The O2, and create memories to last a lifetime by taking on the challenge and climbing up with the family!
  8. Retreat at a family-friendly alfresco restaurant in the area. Pick up a pizza at the Greenwich Kitchen Pizza + Bar or grab a table at The Pilot for pub classics.
  9. Unwind at The Tide, London’s first elevated landscape trail.
  10. Step aboard the magnificent Cutty Sark and follow in the footsteps of those who sailed the ship. Walk beneath its gleaming copper hull and join family workshops and events, perfect for a cosy day indoors.
  11. Relive your favourite movie scenes and get your camera ready for a full day of snapping at architectural masterpieces, including the Old Royal Naval College by English architect Sir Christopher Wren and his pupil Nicholas Hawksmoor. Prepare for “ohhs” and “ahhs” while gazing at Baroque masterpieces at the Painted Hall.  
  12. Wren’s works also include the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Embark on a galactic journey through space and experience landing on Mars, enter the centre of the sun, explore far away galaxies and see a star being born during a show at the Peter Harrison Planetarium.
  13. Devour scrumptious burgers at Honest Burgers, dig into pie and mash at 1890-established Goddards at Greenwich or check out the more than 300-year-old Plume of Feathers by Greenwich Park.
  14. Wander around the AHOY! Gallery at the National Maritime Museum, where pirates, polar exploration and many more maritime themes can be explored by kids.
  15. You might leave with a bag or two of designer goodies and new outfits for the kids after browsing the ICON Outlet at The O2.
  16. Play a round of crazy golf or hit some balls at the Greenwich Peninsula Golf Driving Range, before filling your bellies with nosh at Top 1 Forever Restaurant, Al Masar or the joyous Busaba at The O2. 

Plan your visit to Greenwich by visiting the Tourist Information Centre or take a look at this Greenwich London map.  

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