An impressive and remarkable observatory, The Royal Observatory Greenwich is situated on a hill in Greenwich Park and overlooks the River Thames. A prime tourist attraction, it was commissioned by King Charles II in 1675 and built by Sir Christopher Wren.

Highlights

• A unique photo and once in a lifetime opportunity to stand astride on the Prime Meridian with each leg on the eastern and western hemisphere respectively.
• Explore the home of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
• Discover intriguing and marvelous stories of the famous astronomers.
• Witness the splendid Great Equatorial Telescope, Harrison’s clocks, the Shepherd Gate Clock, the Time Ball and the famous Octagon Room.
• Tour the Flamsteed House, walk in the footsteps of the royal astronomers and watch the red time ball drop daily at 13:00 pm.
• Visit the Peter Harrison Planetarium that screens a wide array of films, sci-fi classics and documentaries on the universe. Also, view the 4.5 billion-year-old-meteorite that is on display.

Recommended For

• Children and Adults  

Inclusions

• General Admission
• Free Audio Guide
• Free entry to National Maritime Museum
• Free Entry to the Queen House

About

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is an enthralling site to learn about astronomy and experience a fantastic view of the city and River Thames. It also includes a National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and Queen’s House.

Visit the Meridian Courtyard which is worldwide known for the Prime Meridian that passes through it offering a unique opportunity to visitors to have one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one foot in the western hemisphere.

Explore the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and stand astride the world famous line as you visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich. With your complimentary audio guide, learn about the discoveries of great scientists and honorary astronomers such as Harrison, Newton, Halley, Bradley, Maunder, Harrison, Airy, Einstein, see the fall of the red Time Ball at Flamsteed House, marvel at the Great Equatorial Telescope- UK’s largest historic telescope and seventh largest in the world which gave astronomers new views of the universe over 100 years ago in the iconic onion dome room, admire the Shepherd Gate Clock - the first clock to show Greenwich Mean Time to the public, view the Octagon Room which is one of the finest and best preserved interiors designed by Sir Christopher Wren and witness the Harrison clocks, the inventions that changed the world.

Tour and explore the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and Queen’s House which are short distance away from the observatory.

The National Maritime Museum

A leading Maritime Museum in the UK, it showcases the most important holdings in the world on the history of Britain at sea comprising more than two million items, including maritime art (both British and 17th-century Dutch), cartography, manuscripts including official public records, ship models and plans, scientific and navigational instruments, instruments for time-keeping and astronomy. Recently four new galleries have been added, thereby increasing the collection by more than 1,100 objects.  The highlights of the Museum are the Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, a selection of our 230+ strong collection of figureheads, the Baltic Exchange Memorial Glass gallery, Cannonball, Nelson’s Jacket and the Union Flag from the battle of Trafalgar.

Queen’s House

The 17th century Queen House, is a formal royal residence which now holds the most extraordinary internationally renowned collection of art. A treat for every ardent art aficionados and royal history fans, embark on an enchanting journey that includes uncovering the incredible stories of the Royals and a tour of the elegant royal house designed by the famous architect Inigo Jones, the Tulip Staircase, Great Hall and Painted Ceiling and the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I.

Cutty Sark

The celebrated historic sailing ship and fastest of its time, is now on display for visitors to admire and take its wheel and steer the 963 tons of Victorian tea clipper, walk beneath the original hull and soak in the epic views of the city and meet the crew to discover the fascinating stories of the magnificent ship.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is a must visit to experience the unique opportunity of standing across two hemispheres, admire the splendid collection of artefacts, marvel at the amazing art collection and enjoy the screening of various universe related films at the Planetarium.

Address

• Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ, UK

Timings

• 10:00 am – 17:00 pm. Daily

Price (in INR approximately)

Interesting Facts About the Royal Observatory Greenwich

• The Royal Observatory Greenwich is built on the old site of Greenwich Castle which was often used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII.
• The Time Ball on top of the observatory is one of the earliest time signals allowing ships’ captains to accurately set their chronometers before they set sail. At 1255, it raises up its mast to drop exactly at 1300.
• King Charles II created the position of Astronomer Royal and the first Astronomer Royal appointed was John Flamsteed. Many of his instruments and documents are still kept on display at the Observatory.  There have been a total of 15 Astronomers Royal from 1675 to the present.
• The famous Onion Dome, built to house the enormous Great Equatorial Telescope, was initially made from papier mâché. It was damaged twice by bombs during the Second World War.

How to get to the Royal Observatory Greenwich

By Tube & Rail

• Greenwich DLR/rail (20-minute walk via King William Walk)
• Cutty Sark DLR (15-minute walk via King William Walk)
• Maze Hill rail station (15-minute walk via Park Vista)
• Blackheath rail station (20-minute walk across the heath)

By Bus

The following buses stop near the Royal Observatory Greenwich: Routes 53, 54, 202 and 380

By Boat

MBNA Thames Clippers are the fastest and most frequent river transport services, with departures from all major London piers every 20 minutes. Your journey time is 35 minutes from London Eye Pier, 25 minutes from London Bridge Pier or 20 minutes from Tower Pier.

Location

• Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ, UK

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