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 is London’s oldest enclosed royal park and also helps mark the southern boundary of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. A spectacular 183 acres of beautiful rolling landscaped parkland with brilliant views of London, it has flower and herb gardens, the Queen’s Orchard, roman remains, a boating lake and impressive children’s play area. At the south west corner of the Park is Ranger’s House, an English Heritage property and most recently known for its starring role in Netflix's popular television series, Bridgerton, as the facade of the family residence.

From here, 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 this beautiful historic site. The iconic riverside estate boasts more than 500 years of rich history linking an incredible cast of monarchs and famous British figures including King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare and Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson.

Built on the foundations of Henry VIII's Palace of Placentia, the buildings have served as a Royal Hospital, a Royal Naval College and are now open to the public as a visitor attraction as well as being and home to the University of Greenwich.

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 18th century. It is often referred to as the ‘UK’s Sistine Chapel’.

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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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
3180 reviews
Greenwich Park

Address

Greenwich Park, Greenwich, London, SE10 8QY

Telephone
+44 (0)3000 612 380

greenwich@royalparks.org.uk

Greenwich

Greenwich Park has a rich history that dates back to Roman times and s an amazing mix of 17th century landscape, stunning gardens.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
24 reviews
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

A free public exhibition space for contemporary art, fashion, photography and design.
Woolwich Town Hall

Address

Wellington Street, Woolwich, London, SE18 6HQ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8854 8888

town-hall@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Woolwich

Woolwich Town Hall is the seat of Royal Greenwich's local government, but this magnificent listed building also reflects the Royal Borough's long and rich history.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
31 reviews
Charlton House & Gardens

Address

Charlton Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8RE

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8856 3951

office@rght.org.uk

Charlton

Built during the reign of James I, Charlton House is widely acknowledged to be the finest and best-preserved Jacobean mansion in London.
Royal Observatory Greenwich

Address

Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8312 6608

bookings@rmg.co.uk

Greenwich

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the Prime Meridian and one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world.
Royal Artillery Barracks

Address

Repository Road, Woolwich, London, SE18 4BH

Woolwich

The Royal Artillery Barracks was the home of the Royal Artillery from 1776 until 2007.
The Tarn

Address

Court Road, Eltham, London, SE9 5AQ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8856 0100

parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Eltham

The Tarn is one of Royal Greenwich's Green Flag award winning sites.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
24 reviews
Bob Hope Theatre Eltham

Address

Wythfield Road, Eltham, London, SE9 5TG

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8850 3702

info@bobhopetheatre.co.uk

Eltham

The Bob Hope Theatre is a community theatre in Eltham in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Avery Hill Park

Address

Bexley Road, Eltham, London, SE9 2EU

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8856 0100

parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Eltham

Avery Hill Park is one of Greenwich's Green Flag Award-winning sites.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
151 reviews
Crossness Engines

Address

The Old Works, Thames Water S.T.W., Bazalgette Way, Abbey Wood, London, SE2 9AQ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8311 3711

info@crossness.org.uk

Bazalgette Way, Abbey Wood

Also known as the ‘Cathedral in the Marsh’, Crossness Pumping Station in Abbey Wood is a Grade 1 Listed building built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette for London’s sewage system.
The Line

Address

Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0PH

info@the-line.org

Greenwich Peninsula

London's first dedicated outdoor public art walk where you can explore art, nature and heritage for free.
Maryon Park & Gilbert's Pit

Address

Maryon Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8DH

Charlton

Formerly a quarry, Maryon Park was once part of the estate of the Maryon Wilson family, former Lords of the Manor of Charlton.
Firepit Art Gallery and Studios CIC

Address

No.2, Upper Riverside, 10 Cutter Lane, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0XX

Telephone
+44 (0)7377 200 393

info@firepit.art

Greenwich Peninsula

Firepit homes seven resident artists working in the space, as well as having associate artists and volunteers which form part of the collective, regularly dropping in, exhibiting and helping out.
St George's Garrison Church

Address

5 Mill Lane, Grand Depot Road, Woolwich, London, SE18 6BW

Telephone
+44 (0)7463 996 285

woolwichcommunityproject@gmail.com

Woolwich

St George's Garrison Church in Woolwich is both an evocative ruin and a contemporary spiritual space of great peace and charm.
Well Hall Pleasaunce

Address

Well Hall Road, Eltham, London, SE9 6SZ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8856 0100

parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Eltham

Well Hall Pleasaunce is one of Greenwich's Green Flag Award-winning sites and it has achieved a silver gilt in the small park of the year category of the London in Bloom awards.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviews
Greenwich Theatre

Address

Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ES

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8305 3303

info@greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Greenwich

Greenwich Theatre is one of London’s foremost Off-West End theatres, working on a local, national and international stage.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
60 reviews
St Alfege Church

Address

Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NA

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8853 0687

office@st-alfege.org.uk

Greenwich

St Alfege is the Anglican parish church in the centre of Greenwich. There has been a church here for over a thousand years, dedicated to the memory of Alfege, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was martyred on this site in year 1012.
Severndroog Castle

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)8006 891 796

info@severndroogcastle.org.uk

Greenwich

Severndroog Castle is an elegantly preserved Gothic tower situated in the delightful gardens of Castle Wood on Shooter’s Hill, one of the highest points in London.
Ocean Court

Address

National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8312 6608

bookings@rmg.co.uk

Greenwich

Explore the Ocean Court at the National Maritime Museum.
Thames Barrier Information Centre

Address

1 Unity Way, Woolwich, London, SE18 5NJ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8305 4161

thamesbarrierenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Woolwich

The Thames Barrier Information Centre is a small, informative exhibition about the past, present and future of this marvel of engineering and science.