10 Things to Do in Greenwich, London

10 Things to Do in Greenwich, London

Famed for giving its name to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Greenwich is a wonderful place to visit with so much to see and do and is only short journey from central London. Here are some of the best things to do in Greenwich.

1. Take a Boat all the way to Greenwich from Central London

Thames Clipper: Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy the sights along the river Thames as  you travel to Greenwich with Thames Clippers high speed boats. These are a great alternative to get to Greenwich while enjoying all the famous landmarks along the way, including Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. There are piers all around Central London including Embankment, Waterloo and Bankside. The boats depart roughly every 20 minutes from the Central London piers.

The Thames Clipper can be boarded from many Central London piers including , Waterloo, Embankment and Bankside.

Tickets cost £7.30 one way from any Central London pier. You can touch in/out using your Oyster card or contactless bank card.

2. Climb Aboard the Cutty Sark and Discover the history behind it

Cutty Sark: Wikimedia Commons

Once we get to Greenwich, The Cutty Sark is only a short walk away. It is the world’s last surviving tea clipper and was built in the golden age of sail. Climb aboard and discover what life was like on this fabulous ship and find out how what made her one of the fastest ships of her time.

Built in 1869 to carry tea back from China, The Cutty Sark has visited nearly every major port in the world and gained fame for its record breaking voyages. Onboard you can experience what it was like at sea, and get a taste of the ocean waves. You can get a chance to take the ship’s wheel and learn to steer 963 tonnes of Victorian steel through storms and seas.

You can also meet many colourful characters played by actors portraying Cutty Sark’s past and hear amazing stories about life at sea.

Cutty Sark

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HT

Open daily from 10am to 5pm including Bank Holidays.

Tickets cost £13.50 for adults and £6.75 for children.

3. Stop off in London’s Oldest Royal Park

Greenwich Park: Wikimedia Commons

Visiting Greenwich Park is a must if you are in Greenwich. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the whole of London.

Greenwich Park is London’s oldest Royal Park, dating as far back as 1427, where it was originally a hunting ground, covering an area of 183 hectares. Today it is still home to a small herd of deer, which you will find in the Wilderness Deer Park. It has been open to the public for over one hundred years and has been used by the Romans, royals and leading scientists.

The park is a beautiful place for a stroll, especially in autumn where the park is covered in beautiful golden brown leaves. The park is part of Greenwich World Heritage Site, and also houses several museums including the National Maritime Museum, The Royal Observatory and The Queen’s House. There are a wide range  of facilities including a beautiful rose garden, a playground, boating lake and several cafes.

The Park is open from 06:00 to 21:30 all year round.

4. Stand on the Famous Meridian Line at Royal Observatory

Royal Observatory: Wikimedia Commons

At the Royal Observatory you can stand on the famous Prime Meridian line, with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and the other in the western. Since the late 19th Century the Prime Meridian at Greenwich has divided these hemispheres.

The Royal Observatory is home to the UK’s largest retracting telescope. It is also London’s only planetarium, where you can go on a breath taking and awe inspiring journey into space, experiencing the wonders of the night sky, complete with expert commentary.

The Royal Observatory is also home  to the annual Astronomy Photographer of the year exhibition, showcasing spectacular photographs of the night sky.

Royal Observatory: Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London SE10 8XJ

Open daily from 10am to 5pm including Bank Holidays.

Ticks cost £14.40 for adults and £7.20 for children.

The nearest station is Cutty Sark on the DLR.

5. Admire the Architecture at Queen’s House

Queen’s House: Wikimedia Commons

Nearby to the Royal Observatory is Queen’s House, a must as part of any visit to Greenwich, and is evidence of past royalty in Greenwich Park. Here you can admire the magnificent classical design and architecture of the House, one of the most important buildings of British architecture. The Queen’s Houses is home to most of the Maritime Museum’s artwork and best of all, like most museums in London, entry is free.

The Queen’s House was the first classical villa to be built in the UK and very different from the typical Tudor and Gothic styles which came before it. It was commissioned by Anne of Denmark, James I’s wife, after he gave her the land as an apology for swearing at her in public.

The house, which was designed by Inigo Jones, reflects the ancient classical style, especially the Great Hall and Tulip Staircase, which were the first geometric self supporting spiral stairs in Britain. You can see the spectacular new art piece by Turner Prize winning artist Richard Wright.

Tulip Staircase, Queen’s House: Wikimedia Commons

Romney Rd, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF

Open daily 10am to 5pm

Entry is free

Guided tours of the House are available and can be pre-booked.

6. Learn all about British Maritime History at the National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum: Wikimedia Commons

Also situated in Greenwich Park is the National Maritime Museum, which is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site. Here you can learn all about Britain’s maritime and naval past. You can discover epic stories of exploration that have shaped our world today.

In total there are 14 galleries to explore. You can see the actual uniform worn by Admiral Nelson when he was fatally wounded during the Battle of Trafalgar. In the Pacific Encounters Room you can explore the legacy of European exploration and learn how this has shaped the Pacific as we know it today. You can learn about the lives of well known explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Francis Drake in Stuart Seafarers gallery.

In the Polar Worlds Gallery you can see how experienced explorers were pushed to the very limits of human endurance and listen to their heroic stories. The Museum is also a great place to bring kids with many hands on activities and attractions. Children can navigate themselves and play interactive games on a giant atlas spread across the entire room.

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

Open daily 10am to 5pm

Entry is free

The nearest station is Cutty Sark on the DLR

7. Explore the Architectural masterpiece of the Old Royal Naval College

Old Royal Naval College: Wikimedia Commons

Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

It is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

The grounds are open from 8am to 11pm.

Entry costs £12 for adults (£11 if purchased online) and is free for children under 16 if accompanied by an adult. Concessions cost £8.50 (£7.50 if purchased online).

The Old Royal Naval College, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, famous who also designing St Paul’s Cathedral and Kensington Palace, is an architectural masterpiece. It is a British landmark encompassing some of the finest buildings in the world.

Inside you can  explore the newly conserved Painted Hall and the neoclassical Chapel. The Painted Hall is a must see hidden gem. Its spectacular interior has amazed visitors for over 300 years. Located in one of the Old Naval College’s striking dome buildings, the Painted Hall is an 18th century masterpiece. Originally intended as a ceremonial dining hall, it covers 4000 sq feet and is known as Britain’s Sistine Chapel.

The Chapel is housed in the Eastern dome building and is a beautiful place to visit. It is still used today as a place of worship. Visitors can admire the neoclassical design, which was redecorated by James Stuart in 1779 following a disastrous fire.

Make sure to walk the vast and impressive grounds, which have featured in many recent films and TV shows, including The Crown, Skyfall and The King’s Speech.

8. Greenwich Market

Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 10:00am to 5:30pm

Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: arts, crafts, designer makers

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: antiques and collectibles

The nearest station is Cutty Sark on the DLR

Greenwich Market: Wikimedia Commons

Greenwich Market is another great place to explore and is only a short walk away from Greenwich Park. Here you can discover many interesting and unique stalls from handmade products to arts and crafts, to homewares, antiques and accessories. There are also many tasty food stalls spanning nearly every possible cuisine and a great place for a bite to eat. Surround by many independent shops this covered market is a great place to spend an afternoon.

9. Enjoy Spectacular Views Across London and the Thames On The Emirates Air Line Cable Car

The Emirates Air Line taken from Greenwich Peninsula: Wikimedia Commons

Emirates Greenwich Peninsula, Greenwich, London, SE10 0FJ

Travel from Greenwich Peninsula to Royal Docks is 6 minutes by cable car and both terminals are linked to local stations which are Royal Victoria for the DLR and North Greenwich for the DLR and Jubilee Line

If you are coming from Greenwich Town Centre, then take the DLR from Cutty Sark and change at Westferry. From Westferry take the DLR bound for Beckton and get off st Royal Victoria.

Oyster and contactless bank cards can used to travel on the cable car, which are up to 26% cheaper than purchasing a boarding pass. Adult oyster fare is £3.50 Child (over 5) is £1.70.

Single adult boarding costs £4.50, while child single boarding pass costs £2.30

The Emirates Air Line is sometimes closed for annual maintenance CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

Experience spectacular 360 degree views on the Emirates Air Line as you soar over the River Thames from heights of 90 metres (295 feet) and see all of the iconic landmarks of London. It is also an easy way to get from the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. The cable cars are a fantastic way to end the day in Greenwich, seeing the sunset over London.

The journey takes approximately 10 minutes. However during peak times (7am to 9am Monday to Friday) the journey takes around 5 minutes. Each car can hold up to 10 people and arrive every 30 seconds.

10. Have a walk under one of London’s only foot tunnels

Greenwich Foot Tunnel: Wikimedia Commons

The foot tunnel is a short walk from Cutty Sark Station (DLR) and Island Gardens (DLR) to the north. It is open 24 hrs a day and is free to access.

Stretching deep underneath the River Thames is the Greenwich Foot Tunnel which links Greenwich on the south bank with Isle of Dogs to the north, spanning 370 metres in length and seen as one of the landmarks in this part of southeast London.  It was originally built so that workers could cross easily cross the river to work.  Inside you will find spiral staircases and 200,000 white tiles covering the tunnel. The tunnel is believed to be one of the most haunted in London.

The construction of the tunnel started in 1899 and was completed in 1902. It was seen as a more efficient method than the ferry system. Pedestrians are able to access the eerie tunnel, which is open 24 hours a day, by descending 87 steps via the north entrance or 100 steps via the south entrance. Part of the tunnel was damaged during WWII and required repair, altering its appearance.

Today the bridge remains a popular way to cross the river, being used by 1.5 million each year. It takes around 10-15 minutes to walk through.

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As you can see there is so much to see and do in Greenwich and you will want to come back again. To head back to Central London from Greenwich town centre you can take the DLR from Cutty Sark station to Heron Quays station ( Canary Wharf DLR station is further) and change for a Jubilee Line from Canary Wharf. Alternatively you can take the Main line service from Greenwich station direct to London Bridge.