Part of the wider borough of Royal Greenwich, Maritime Greenwich is a World Heritage Site.

It includes a number of historic buildings representing its maritime importance.

It also encompasses Royal Museums Greenwich and the late-Georgian town centre of old Greenwich, including the historic parish church of St Alfege and Greenwich Pier.

Queens House

Inigo Jones’ Queen’s House was the first Palladian building in Britain. The centrepiece of the Queen’s House is the Great Hall.

The Hall sits at the heart of the building and has a first-floor gallery overlooking a striking black-and-white marble floor

The Queen’s House also contains the famed Tulip Stairs, a delicate spiral stairway that ascends up through the building.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is one of our favourite museums in London and it has 14 different galleries to explore.

See J.M.W. Turner’s largest painting or get up close to the actual uniform Admiral Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar.

We particularly like the collection of figureheads.

Cutty Sark

Cutty Sark is the world’s only surviving extreme clipper. It was built 150 years ago for the China tea trade but would carry a vast array of cargoes during its career.

Nowadays you can explore the Cutty Sark, from the fantastic views from the main deck to the dark riches of the lower hold.

To preserve the unique shape of Cutty Sark’s hull and relieve the pressure on the keel, Cutty Sark was lifted over three metres. This Dry Dock is one of the best attraction in London, with the ship hovering in mid-air above you.

Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory is home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the Prime Meridian of the world and London’s Planetarium.

Here you can stand astride two hemispheres on the meridian line, the origin of Greenwich Mean Time.

Or you can visit the beautiful Flamsteed House, London’s original observatory, designed by Christopher Wren for King Charles II in 1675.

Images by greenwichworldheritage.org | rmg.co.uk | Cool Places Britain
Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College sits at the heart of Maritime Greenwich.

From 1498–1694, the site was home to Greenwich Palace, birthplace of Henry VIII and his daughters.

Shortly before her death, Queen Mary II, who co-reigned with her husband King William III from 1689 until 1694, commissioned the construction of the Royal Hospital for Seamen on this site.

Esteemed architect Sir Christopher Wren was appointed as surveyor in 1696 and Wren’s outstanding Baroque complex still stands today.

Today, it is one of London’s most popular attractions. The jewel in the crown and one of London’s ‘hidden gems’, is the Painted Hall.

Walking

The Greenwich walk traces Greenwich’s development by following the footsteps of sailors and soldiers, kings and queens, inventors and explorers. This 3,5-mile walk finishes on Observatory Hill.

The Royal Borough has two foot tunnels at Greenwich and Woolwich which are used by 1.5 million people a year to cross underneath the river Thames.

From Greenwich, you can use the foot tunnel to walk to Island Gardens on the north of the river. Here you can enjoy the famous “Canaletto view” of Greenwich.

You can see the Old Royal Naval College on the river front, framing the iconic Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory behind them on top of the hill in Greenwich.

For the best views of east London, you can start at Blackheath Village and walk straight up Blackheath Avenue until you get to the Royal Observatory, where you will be rewarded with glorious views of London’s skyline.

Greenwich walk
Blackheath to Greenwich

Cool Places to Eat: The Old Brewery | Champagne+Fromage.