The stunning Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College

Book Tickets Online

About

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 Thornhill.

The epic painting scheme, known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’ took nineteen years from the start of the commission to its completion in 1726. By turns extravagant, playful, thoughtful, naïve and politically shrewd, Thornhill’s scheme earned him a knighthood and payment of £6,685.

The grandeur of Thornhill's composition, which covers 40,000 square feet, reflects the importance of the new Royal Hospital’s main Hall. Originally intended as a grand dining room for the naval pensioners, it soon became a ceremonial space open to paying visitors and reserved for special functions. Perhaps the most significant of which was the lying-in-state of Lord Nelson in January 1806, drawing large crowds to view the hero’s body. The exact spot where the coffin lay is marked by a plaque on the floor.

For a hundred years from 1824 the Hall was given over to the first National Gallery of Naval Art, before becoming home to the Royal Naval College in 1869 after the last Greenwich Pensioners left the site. From 1937 to 1997 the Painted Hall functioned as a dining space for trainee officers of the Royal Navy.

In 2019, after an £8.5m restoration project to clean and conserve the magnificent 17th Century paintings, the Painted Hall was reopened to the public.

Book Tickets

Events

Saturday, 23rd November 2024 - Monday, 20th January 2025

Monday, 25th November 2024 - Monday, 16th December 2024

Friday, 29th November 2024 - Friday, 20th December 2024

Following the sell-out success of Gaia and Museum of the Moon, Mars will complete the trilogy of Jerram’s out-of-this-world installations at the iconiMars in the Painted HallFollowing the sell-out success of Gaia and Museum of the Moon, Mars will completing the trilogy of Luke Jerram’s out-of-this-world installations at the iconic Old Royal Naval College.
more info

Friday, 6th December 2024 - Saturday, 7th December 2024

Embark on an exclusive multi-sensory sonic voyage beneath Luke Jerram’s breathtaking installation, MarsLie Down and Listen: A Sound Journey to MarsEmbark on an exclusive multi-sensory sonic voyage beneath Luke Jerram’s breathtaking installation, Mars. Immerse yourself in the experience of quantum listening, and contemplate humanity’s future from a deeply personal, introspective perspective - all while remaining grounded here on Earth.
more info

Friday, 20th December 2024 - Friday, 20th December 2024

Immerse yourself in a sound healing ritual beneath Mars in the Painted Hall  Sound Healing: Serenity on MarsImmerse yourself in a sound healing ritual beneath Mars in the Painted Hall.
more info

Monday, 20th January 2025 - Monday, 20th January 2025

A closing evening of Mars for a one-off event featuring artist Luke Jerram and London’s leading Mars expertsEyes on Mars: A Cultural and Scientific Exploration of MarsA closing evening of Mars for a one-off event featuring artist Luke Jerram and London’s leading Mars experts.
more info

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Assistance dogs welcome
  • British Sign Language
  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets
  • Ear defenders available
  • Facilities for hearing impaired
  • Facilities for visually impaired
  • Video/virtual tours
  • Wheelchairs available - Manual wheelchairs are available to hire from the Tourist Information Centre in the Visitor Centre open 10am–5pm. These are allocated on a first come, first served basis. There is a deposit of £50 which is refunded when the wheelchair is returned. For further information please call 020 830 55235 or email tic@visitgreenwich.org.uk.

Booking & Payment Details

  • Credit cards accepted (no fee)
  • Currency Exchange - Available at the Tourist Information Centre in the Visitor Centre, open 10am–5pm. For further information please call 020 830 55235 or email tic@visitgreenwich.org.uk.

Catering

  • On-site catering
  • On-site light refreshments
  • Picnic site

Children

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Coach parking - If you are travelling by coach, there is a coach drop off point in Stockwell Street (SE10 9JN) which is a 10 minute walk to the grounds. There is free coach parking on Norman Road (SE10) and Charlton Way (SE3) or paid coach parking on Park Row/Romney Road (SE10 9NL).
  • Drop Off Point - If you are travelling by coach, there is a coach drop off point in Stockwell Street (SE10 9JN) which is a 10 minute walk to the grounds. There is free coach parking on Norman Road (SE10) and Charlton Way (SE3) or paid coach parking on Park Row/Romney Road (SE10 9NL).
  • Guided tours for groups

Languages

  • French signs/guides
  • German signs/guides
  • Italian signs/guides
  • Spanish signs/guides

Parking

  • Parking with charge - Please note that there is limited parking in Greenwich, particularly at weekends and we encourage you to use public transport if possible. Paid car parking is available in Park Row (SE10 9NL) and Cutty Sark Gardens.

Property Facilities

  • Gift shop
  • Onsite Catering
  • Public toilets
  • Smoking not allowed
  • WiFi or internet access - Free WiFi is available at the Tourist Information Centre in the Visitor Centre.

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted
  • Hen/Stag Dos Welcome

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Video

  • Discover the Painted Hall, a baroque masterpiece, steeped in 500 years of rich British history

The Painted Hall

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN
Close window

Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0)20 8269 4799

Check availability for The Painted Hall (opens in a new window)

Awards

  • Other AwardsVisit Greenwich Partner Visit Greenwich Partner 2021

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00

* The Painted Hall is closed from 24th to 26th December *

What's Nearby

  1. In celebration of Wren 300, Old Royal Naval College are delighted to partner with St…

    0.01 miles away
  2. Sir Christopher Wren's riverside masterpiece: a British landmark encompassing some of the…

    0.02 miles away
  3. With access to the Old Royal Naval College's jaw-dropping Painted Hall, a climb up The…

    0.03 miles away
  4. The Chapel of St Peter and St Paul is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Still an…

    0.04 miles away
  1. The Admiral's House is the oldest building within the Old Royal Naval College grounds.

    0.07 miles away
  2. The National Maritime Museum holds the world’s largest maritime collection telling…

    0.12 miles away
  3. AHOY! Children's Gallery is a fun-filled children’s gallery for 0-7s.

    0.12 miles away
  4. The Queen’s House is home to an internationally renowned art collection, Inigo Jones’…

    0.14 miles away
  5. Cutty Sark is the last surviving tea clipper and the fastest ship of its time. Now an…

    0.16 miles away
  6. St Alfege is the Anglican parish church in the centre of Greenwich. There has been a…

    0.24 miles away
  7. University of Greenwich Galleries consists of three exhibition spaces on the Greenwich…

    0.25 miles away
  8. Greenwich Theatre is one of London’s premiere Off-West End theatres, presenting a…

    0.27 miles away
  9. Greenwich’s Fan Museum is the only museum in the UK devoted to the history of fans and…

    0.29 miles away
  10. This charming riverside park holds the modern day view of Greenwich featured in…

    0.29 miles away
  11. Fly to the heart of the Sun, go to distant galaxies, see the birth of a star or land on…

    0.41 miles away
  12. Make the most of your day out with a Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass and get access to…

    0.41 miles away
Previous Next