Greenwich is one of London’s most atmospheric boroughs. Famous for its UNESCO World Heritage–listed maritime history and Royal Observatory—the home of Greenwich Meantime—it’s a perfect spot to spend your Sunday with a Blue Badge Guide.
The walk will include access to the recently restored Painted Hall at the Old Naval College (the entrance fee is included in the tour price).
We will start our tour at the entrance to the Cutty Sark, a 19th century tea clipper, which was recently restored from a fire. We then will take our walk up the hill to the 17th century Royal Observatory, going past many interesting historic buildings. You will hear stories about the strict rules prescribed to the seamen who stayed at the Royal Naval Hospital at the time of King William of Orange and Queen Mary before it turned into the Royal Naval College. We will also see the Queen’s House, one of the most splendid neoclassical Palladian style buildings in the UK, which turned from country palace to orphanage. After a short high climb we will then arrive at the royal astronomers John Flamsteed’s Observatory from where calculations were made to define the Greenwich Meantime and from where many planets were first detected with Newton’s telescope.
After taking in the amazing views on the Docklands and London from the top of the Hill, we will walk in the park, or go back down to Greenwich Market, which is renowned for its art, handicrafts, and delicious street food and have a drink in a pub nearby.
