Our Guide to Visiting Greenwich, London: What to See and Do
View of the Queens House, the National Maritime Museum, and the tall buildings of Canary Wharf from the Royal Observatory.
Located on the south bank of the River Thames, Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and famous attractions like the Royal Observatory, which established the Greenwich Meridian line, and the Cutty Sark.
Visiting Greenwich feels like taking a day trip from London without even leaving London.
There are more than enough attractions in Greenwich to keep you busy for most of the day.
Getting to Greenwich
Boarding the Uber Boat by Tower Bridge.
Debbie and I decided to visit Greenwich by taking the Uber boat from central London. We were staying at the Citizen M hotel at the Tower of London, and there is an Uber boat stop right there.
The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers makes stops along the River Thames, and you can pay via a tap of a credit card or phone.
A short boat ride is always fun, but sailing under Tower Bridge is epic.
The boat leaves you right at the Cutty Sark, so it’s very convenient.
You can also take the DLR train from central London.
What to do in Greenwich
The Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark was built in the 1870s to carry tea and gained fame as one of the fastest ships of its time.
Today, you can tour the ship and learn about life at sea.
The ship sits in a dry dock and is elevated off the ground, so you can not only see the hull, but you can also grab a snack under the hull. We ate a scone and tea, but they offer much more, including a full afternoon tea.
(Quick tip - we’d skip the tea and use the money on one of London’s outstanding tea experiences. We’d recommend afternoon tea at Claridge’s - it’s fantastic.)
A unique glass structure surrounding the ship at ground level allows you to touch the hull as you enter the ship.
A few weeks before visiting Greenwich, we toured the USS Constitution in Boston.
The ship is the oldest active warship in the world, and it's fantastic to visit, but the fact that it is still an active ship means it’s floating on the water. The Cutty Sark is out of water, so structures have been added around the ship, and you can literally walk under the ship. This makes the visit to the Cutty Sark so much more rewarding. (still love you USS Constitution)
The main deck features all the rigging and ropes used when the ship crossed the oceans.
You can also grab the helm and pretend you are steering the massive ship, fun for all ages.
For the truly adventurous, you can spend £60 and climb up the rigging. While we were visiting the ship, a woman was enjoying the experience. We watched her gear up with safety harnesses and scale the rigging with a crew member joining her.
We enjoyed watching brave adventurers climb the rigging.
Below deck, you can see how the tea and other goods were stored during the voyages.
An adult ticket is £24.00, but a better deal might be the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass. For £38 you’ll gain access to both the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.
Royal Observatory Greenwich and Prime Meridian Line
The Royal Observatory atop Greenwich Park.
Perhaps the most popular attraction in Greenwich. The Royal Observatory was founded in 1676 by King Charles II, and the exhibits do a great job of recounting its history.
The displays and the telescopes are interesting too, but many people come to see the Prime Meridian line.
In 1884, the line was chosen to officially represent 0° longitude. It’s fun to stand with one foot in the Eastern Hemisphere and one in the Western Hemisphere.
The Royal Observatory is situated high on a hill in Greenwich Park, offering excellent views of the tall buildings in Canary Wharf.
A cautionary note - walking up the hill to the Royal Observatory is a little more challenging than it looks. We stopped halfway up and pretended it was to take in the view, but it was really to take a break. I certainly don’t want to overstate the hill, but if you have mobility issues, it might be difficult.
Tickets to the Royal Observatory are £24.00 online. As mentioned above, it’s worth buying the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass if you are also visiting the Cutty Sark.
Greenwich Market
After the Royal Observatory, it will probably be time for a change of pace at Greenwich Market.
The market dates back to the 1700s and features arts and crafts, jewelry, and handmade gifts.
It also features a wide variety of food stalls. There is also a wide variety of restaurants in the neighborhood of the market.
The market is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Old Royal Naval College & The Painted Hall
The highlight of a visit to the Old Royal Naval College is the Painted Hall.
It was designed by Sir James Thornhill. The hall was painted between 1707 and 1726 and features more than 3,700 square metres of Baroque walls and ceilings. A recent £8.5-million refurbishment has brought much of the color back to life.
Both guided and self-guided multimedia tours are available.
Tickets are £17.50 and can be purchased online:
The National Maritime Museum
Britain has always been a seafaring nation, so you know there will be a lot to see at The National Maritime Museum.
You can see the coat worn by Admiral Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, engage with the Great Map in the atrium, and see intricate ship models from throughout the centuries.
The museum caters to kids, so be prepared for lots of action.
The best part is the price - free. While the admission is free, it’s best to plan ahead and order your timed tickets online here.
The Queens House
The Queen’s House is an architectural masterpiece designed by Inigo Jones,
It is best known for its striking art collection, particularly the iconic Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I.
You’ll see the beautiful Tulip Stairs. When the Tulip Stairs were installed, it was the first unsupported spiral staircase in Britain.
During your visit, you can listen to an audio tour on your phone.
The tickets are free, but it’s best to get your timed tickets online here.
This post was researched and written by John of the Empty Nest Explorers. You can learn more about the Empty Nest Explorers here
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Located on the south bank of the River Thames, Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and famous attractions like the Royal Observatory, which established the Greenwich Meridian line, and the Cutty Sark.