History and Culture

Lovers of history will be delighted with a trip to Greenwich. Home to a rich and diverse history of royalty, seafaring, science and engineering with some truly glorious architecture.

Maritime Greenwich is one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London, and has a prestigious royal, military and scientific past.

Greenwich Park is one of eight royal parks in London, and famously home to the Meridian Line at the Christopher Wren designed Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House - the oldest neoclassical building in Britain, designed by Inigo Jones and built in 1616. Inigo Jones also designed the beautiful National Maritime Museum next door, which was originally a Naval School.

The park also helps mark the boundary of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. A spectacular 183 acres of beautiful rolling landscaped parkland with brilliant views of London. There’s even a wilderness enclosure for a small herd of Fallow and Red deer, which are said to be descended directly from the herd originally introduced by Henry VIII!

The sight of the classical Christopher Wren domes of the Old Royal Naval College leads you down towards the river to wander among the splendid architecture and grounds of the site where Henry VIII's Palace of Placentia once stood, before being rebuilt to become the instantly recognisable and iconic twin-domed masterpiece we know today.

While here, make sure you visit the fabulous Painted Hall and the Chapel that reside inside these wonderful domed buildings. The spectacular Painted Hall will leave you open-mouthed in awe, as it’s the largest painted dining hall in Europe, taking commissioned artist, James Thornhill, 19 years to complete in the 18^th century!

From the naval history here at Maritime Greenwich, you can continue the military legacy at the stunning Royal Arsenal Woolwich. Historically home to military barracks and munitions productions over the centuries, which is currently undergoing a dramatic transformation into a key cultural centre for London’s arts.

The royal connections also continue across the borough with Tudor boat building for Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, in Deptford Creek and Woolwich Dockyard to the glamourous fusion of Art Deco design and part medieval royal palace at Eltham Palace & Gardens, and London’s finest standing Jacobean mansion, Charlton House.

Greenwich is renowned for pioneering, scientific and engineering achievements, from the navigation and star gazing which led to Greenwich being home to the Prime Meridian of the world, to the marvel of modern engineering that is the Thames Barrier in Charlton.

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The Painted Hall

Address

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8269 4799

boxoffice@ornc.org

Greenwich

Known as the 'UK's Sistine Chapel', The Painted Hall is a true masterpiece, boasting one of the most spectacular Baroque interiors in Europe. The extraordinary ceiling and wall decorations were conceived and executed by British artist Sir James…
The O2

Address

Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0DX

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8463 2000

customerservices@theo2.co.uk

Greenwich Peninsula

The O2 is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich Peninsula in South East London. It is home to The O2 Arena, indigo at The O2, ICON Outlet, Cineworld, Oxygen Freejumping, an exhibition space and a street full of bars and restaurants.
Chapel of St Peter and St Paul

Address

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8269 4799

boxoffice@ornc.org

Greenwich

Part of the Old Royal Naval College, the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Still an active place of worship, the Chapel also holds regular lunchtime recitals from the local Trinity Laban students.
Eltham Palace and Gardens

Address

Court Yard, Eltham, London, SE9 5QE

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8294 2548

Eltham.Palace@english-heritage.org.uk

Eltham

Once a favoured medieval palace and then a Tudor royal residence, Eltham Palace was transformed by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. Discover the Courtauld’s extravagant lifestyle as you explore their stylish home which…
The Queen's House

Address

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8312 6608

bookings@rmg.co.uk

Greenwich

Visit The Queen’s House in Greenwich, London. Home to an internationally renowned art collection, Inigo Jones’ architectural masterpiece is the first Classical building in the UK. Free entry.
Woolwich Works

Address

Woolwich, London

hello@woolwich.works

Woolwich

London's newest creative district.
Royal Observatory

Address

Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8312 6608

bookings@rmg.co.uk

Greenwich

Visit the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the Prime Meridian of the world and London’s only Planetarium.
Ranger's House - The Wernher Collection

Address

Chesterfield Walk, Blackheath, London, SE10 8QX

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8294 2548

Blackheath

Ranger’s House is an elegant Georgian villa on the boundary of Greenwich Park and Blackheath which houses The Wernher Collection, a world-class art collection amassed by the 19th-century businessman, Sir Julius Wernher.
Old Royal Naval College

Address

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8269 4799

boxoffice@ornc.org

Greenwich

The Old Royal Naval College is Sir Christopher Wren's riverside masterpiece: a British landmark encompassing some of the finest buildings in the world. Home to the newly conserved Painted Hall and the neoclassical Chapel of St Peter and St Paul.
Cutty Sark

Address

Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HT

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8312 6608

bookings@rmg.co.uk

Greenwich

Visit Cutty Sark, the fastest ship of its time. Now an award-winning visitor attraction in Greenwich, London.
Peter Harrison Planetarium

Address

Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8312 6608

bookings@rmg.co.uk

Greenwich

Fly to the heart of the Sun, go to distant galaxies, see the birth of a star or land on Mars. Take a tour of the Universe and experience the wonders of the night sky with expert commentary.
National Maritime Museum

Address

Romney Road, Greenwich, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8312 6608

bookings@rmg.co.uk

Greenwich

Discover epic stories of exploration and endeavour that have shaped our world at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Royal Arsenal

Address

No 1 Street, Woolwich, London, SE18 6GH

Woolwich

The former site of one of the biggest munitions factories in the UK, the Royal Arsenal has been regenerated as an open space and place to live and will be further transformed by the development of a creative district.
Greenwich Park

Address

Greenwich Park, Greenwich, London, SE10 8QY

Telephone
+44 (0)300 061 2380

greenwich@royalparks.org.uk

Greenwich

Overlooking the River Thames and home to some of London’s most iconic views, Greenwich Park is an amazing mix of 17th century landscape, stunning gardens and a rich history that dates back to Roman times.
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

Address

17 Cartridge Place, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London, SE18 6ST

info@woolwichprintfair.com

Woolwich

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair featuring some go the worlds most renowned printmakers and best emerging artist talent. Works of art, partner studios, food & drink, interior concept room, tours, talks & demonstrations.
UK’s biggest contemporary…
Charlton House

Address

Charlton Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8RE

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8856 3951

info@rght.org.uk

Charlton

Built during the reign of James I, Charlton House is the finest and best preserved Jacobean Mansion in London.
Greenwich Heritage Centre

Address

Charlton House, Charlton Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8RE

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8854 2452

heritage.centre@rght.org.uk

Charlton

Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust collection is stored at the Museum Collections and Archive of the Royal borough of Greenwich, in its new home in Charlton.
This facility and research space is now open to the public by appointment only, any questions…
Thames Barrier Information Centre

Address

1 Unity Way, Woolwich, London, SE18 5NJ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8305 4188

thamebarriertheview@environment-agency.gov.uk

Woolwich

The Thames Barrier Information Centre is a small, informative exhibition about the past, present and future of the Thames Barrier. It explains the flood risk to London and the history and environment of the River Thames.
Severndroog Castle

Address

Castle Wood, Shooters Hill, Woolwich, London, SE18 3RT

Telephone
+44 (0) 800 689 1796

info@severndroogcastle.org.uk

Woolwich

Severndroog Castle is an elegantly preserved Gothic tower situated on Shooter’s Hill, one of the highest points in London. From the viewing platform, you will be captivated by the spectacular 360° view of the capital and beyond.
NOW Gallery

Address

The Gateway Pavilions, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0SQ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 3770 2212

info@nowgallery.co.uk

Greenwich Peninsula

NOW Gallery is a free public exhibition space for contemporary art, fashion, photography and design.