Travel Guide

Escape the Everyday with 11 Unmissable Greenwich Experiences

To make your Greenwich Escape even more memorable we’ve compiled the most exciting and unique experiences, that will inspire and exhilarate from our iconic attractions to relaxing rides down the word famous River Thames. Our list is jam-packed with impressive highlights not just the historical, but hidden-gems that you’ll discover with your very own tour guide and experiences that will take you to new heights.

Here are eleven of our favourite and unmissable experiences and escapades to have on a day out or short break in London’s leafiest Borough, just remember to Escape the Everyday responsibly and when you’re visiting us, please share your memories and photos by adding #ItsGreenwichTime followed by #EscapetheEveryday.

1. Escape to the “Home of Time” itself

Stand with a foot in each hemisphere and explore how great scientists first mapped the seas and the stars at the Royal Observatory. Now a museum, it's home to the Prime Meridian Line, the UK’s largest refracting telescope, a 4.5 billion year-old asteroid and London’s only planetarium, discover the history of space and time. Here, you can actually stand on the prime meridian line, where all the world’s time zones are measured, whilst enjoying the stunning views across London.
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2. Escape to adventure on the High Seas

Delve into the adventures of the iconic Cutty Sark and meet the colourful cast of characters on board the ship who tell their story of what life was like on board.
Picture yourself as the ship's captain, take the helm at the ship's wheel and marvel at the towering masts and 11 miles of rigging. Learn about the ambitious conservation project and go inside and underneath to explore, reach up and touch the copper hull ship that made Cutty Sark the fastest of its day.
The Cutty Sark Café also offers a relaxed afternoon tea which requires pre-booking and is a great way to end your experience underneath the ship which once brought tea to Britain.
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3. Escape to four of the best

Make the most out of your day in Greenwich with the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass and visit not just one but all four award winning attractions, including to the Royal Observatory and the world-famous Prime Meridian Line, where you can marvel at the Great Equatorial Telescope, the UK’s largest historic telescope and take that all important selfie standing either side of the line in both eastern and western hemispheres of planet Earth. Get a taste of life as a seafaring Victorian onboard the iconic historic sailing ship Cutty Sark, walk in the footsteps of royalty at the Queen’s House Art Gallery and explore the exhibits at the National Maritime Museum, the largest museum of its kind in the world.
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4. Escape to royal works of art

Tudors to Windsors exhibition at the National Maritime Museum

Get up close and personal to our Nation’s favourite monarchs, browse over 150 masterpieces spanning 5 centuries of British royalty who have shaped history, from Henry VII to Elizabeth II. The exhibition features portraits by some of the most important artists to have worked in Britain, from court painters Sir Peter Lely and Sir Godfrey Kneller to eminent photographers Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz also art royalty such as Andy Warhol.
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5. Escape to the awe-inspiring

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the amazing the Painted Hall or what it’s affectionately become known as ‘The Sistine Chapel of England’, following a £8.5 million restoration this extraordinary hall is a masterpiece of Baroque Art. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the same architect who created St. Paul’s Cathedral and built in 1692 as a home for returning seaman, any visitor will find sanctuary within the incredible 40,000 square feet of walls and ceilings.
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6. Escape to new heights

Crossing the Thames on the Emirates Air Line is undoubtably one of the best ways to see the unrivalled vistas of London, as you travel from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks. From the safety of your own cabin, take to the air and enjoy a truly unique experience, along the way you’ll spot some of the capital’s most iconic buildings and attractions.
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7. Escape to the wow factor

Take an exhilarating outdoor climb over The O2’s world famous roof and enjoy the incredible views of London with the capital’s superstar attraction, Up at The O2. You’ll see a different side of the city, by day, at twilight or sunset, just clip in and follow your guide up for some great 360° panoramas over Greenwich, the Olympic Park, Canary Wharf, the City and beyond.
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8. Escape to roaming the River Thames

For an Uber ride with a difference take a trip down the River Thames and see London from a whole new level with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Enjoy personal space, freedom and the fresh air on the breezy open-air back decks, as you travel the city’s world-famous waterway. Choose from a Point-to-Point trip and disembark at one of the piers in Greenwich to explore London’s leafiest borough, or a River Roamer pass where the kids go free so all the family can enjoy a plain sailing great experience.
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9. Escape to going with the flow & flying high

Take to the waves with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and then take off flying over the Thames on an exhilarating Emirates Air Line cable car ride. With one combined trip you can witness the full beauty of London from both historic riverbanks to the breath-taking views of the capital from the skies.
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10. Escape to crowd-free cruising

From the open upper decks or the panoramic windows of a City Cruises boat you can see all the sights as you glide under the historic bridges of the city’s famous waterway, hop on and hop off at any one of four piers as you’re treated to a guided commentary with open passage on any sightseeing boats for a full day spent exploring the sights of the Thames. The choice is yours, the 24h river pass is an all-day hop-on, hop-off Thames ticket offering unlimited access to the river for 24 hours, or cruise from Westminster to Greenwich and pass 44 of London’s famous landmarks including the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London & the Shard, enjoy afternoon tea whilst sailing down the Thames, a spot of lunch on a lazy river cruise or end the night the right way on a London Dinner Cruise.
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11. Escape to exploring on a guided tour

Rich in maritime history and architecture there’s no better way to discover the true Greenwich than by taking one of the many guided walking tours, the UK’s capital is crammed full of cultural highlights, enchanted streets and hidden corners.
Take your pick from several Guided Tours along the river paths and urban trails, you’ll uncover the idyllic and inspiring, along with some of the best views and Insta-worthy photo opportunities London has to offer. The more you walk and see, the more energised you’ll become, absorbing everything that Greenwich has to offer.
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