Royal Observatory Greenwich
Blackheath Ave, London, GBR
Billed as the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian, the Royal Observatory Greenwich is one of London’s major historical landmarks. Part of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, the observatory was built by celebrated architect Christopher Wren in the 17th century. Today, it houses a planetarium, historical navigational tools, and one of the UK’s largest telescopes.
Ideal for families, history buffs, and architecture lovers, the Royal Observatory Greenwich is a multifaceted sight. Visitors can admire the oldest parts of the observatory when they tour Flamsteed House and the Octagon Room; learn about 17th-century British history in the interactive exhibitions; and admire the cosmos by booking tickets to a planetarium show. And no visit is complete without straddling the Meridian Line to stand in both Western and Eastern Hemispheres simultaneously.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich also features on a number of London tours and sightseeing itineraries. You can purchase admission (or a Royal Museums Greenwich day pass) online in advance to make exploring simple, see it as part of a Greenwich walking tour, or even glimpse it from the Thames on a river tour.
- It’s recommended to book tickets online to guarantee admission; planetarium shows are ticketed separately.
- For lunch or a snack, head to the on-site Astronomy Café and Terrace.
- Owing to its historic architecture, only sections of the Royal Observatory Greenwich are accessible to wheelchair users.
- At the museum’s gift shop, you’ll find books, games, and other souvenirs.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is located in Greenwich Park at Blackheath Avenue. You can take a mainline train to the Maze Hill or Greenwich station, or the Docklands Light Railway to Greenwich station; it’s about a 15-minutes walk from either. Various sightseeing boats and water taxis also stop at the nearby Greenwich Pier, and buses frequent the area.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is open daily, from morning to early evening, with extended hours in the summer; last entry is 45 minutes before closing time. Note that it’s likely to be especially crowded on the weekends and during school holidays.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is one of several Greenwich museums and historical landmarks. Other must-sees among the Royal Museums Greenwich include the Cutty Sark (a historic sailing ship that's now open to visitors), the National Maritime Museum (which tells the story of Britain's naval history), and the Queen's House (an architectural masterpiece and former royal residence).
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